LI 11 Acupuncture Point — Qū Chí (曲池) — Pool at the Bend

LI 11 (Large Intestine 11; Qū Chí, “Pool at the Bend”) is the He-Sea point of the Large Intestine meridian and one of the most powerful Heat-clearing points in acupuncture. Located at the lateral end of the cubital crease with the elbow flexed, it is the primary local point for tennis elbow and lateral epicondylitis, and a leading systemic point for high blood pressure, urticaria, eczema, acne and febrile conditions driven by Heat in the Blood or Wind-Heat invasion.

On this page

1. Overview
2. Location
3. Actions
4. Indications
5. Needling
6. Clinical notes
7. Common point combinations
8. Treatment at my clinic
9. Frequently asked questions

1. Overview

LI 11 — Qū Chí (曲池) — is an acupuncture point on the Large Intestine meridian. Its English name, Pool at the Bend, reflects the point’s classical character and location. It is one of the most clinically important points in acupuncture practice and is used regularly in the treatment of a range of conditions.

I am Dr (TCM) Attilio D’Alberto, a member of the British Acupuncture Council with over 25 years of clinical experience. I use LI 11 as part of individually tailored acupuncture prescriptions at my clinic in Wokingham, Berkshire.

2. Location

At the lateral end of the transverse cubital crease, at the midpoint between the lateral epicondyle of the humerus and LU 5 (Chize), when the elbow is flexed at 90°.

3. Actions

1. Clears Heat and resolves Dampness
2. Cools the Blood and eliminates Wind
3. Regulates Qi and Blood
4. Activates the meridian and relieves pain
5. Lowers blood pressure

4. Indications

1. Elbow pain, tennis elbow and lateral epicondylitis — the most important local point
2. Skin conditions — urticaria, eczema, psoriasis and acne from Heat in the Blood
3. Fever, sore throat and acute infections
4. High blood pressure from Liver Yang rising
5. Arm pain, weakness and paralysis from stroke
6. Itching from Wind and Heat in the Blood
7. Abdominal pain, diarrhoea and dysentery

5. Needling

Perpendicular insertion 1.0–1.5 cun. Strong De Qi. Moxibustion applicable.

Important: Acupuncture should only be performed by a fully qualified practitioner. Never attempt self-needling. All needles I use are sterile, single-use and disposed of immediately after treatment in a clinical sharps container.

6. Clinical notes

LI 11 is the He-Sea point of the Large Intestine meridian, conferring powerful Heat-clearing properties consistent with the He-Sea point category's affinity for treating conditions of the fu (hollow) organs. It is one of the most important points for skin conditions driven by Heat in the Blood and Wind, and one of the primary points used in the treatment of hypertension. Combined with LI 4, it forms a powerful Exterior-releasing and Heat-clearing duo used in febrile disease.

7. Common point combinations

1. LI 11 + LI 4 — the classical Heat-clearing and Exterior-releasing duo for fever, common cold, sore throat and Wind-Heat skin presentations.
2. LI 11 + GB 20 + LV 3 — the standard combination for high blood pressure driven by Liver Yang rising.
3. LI 11 + Xue Hai (SP 10) + Ge Shu (BL 17) — the key combination for skin conditions with Heat in the Blood: urticaria, eczema, psoriasis and acne.
4. LI 11 + LU 5 — for elbow pain and tennis elbow; the two He-Sea points bracket the joint and treat lateral epicondylitis directly.
5. LI 11 + ST 36 — for chronic urticaria with underlying Spleen Qi deficiency producing recurrent Wind-Heat presentations.

8. Treatment at my clinic

I use LI 11 as part of tailored acupuncture prescriptions for conditions including Tennis elbow, High blood pressure, Acne, Allergies. Each treatment is individually designed following a full TCM assessment.

I see patients in person at my clinic in Wokingham, Berkshire. Visit the prices page for consultation fees. Return to the acupuncture points directory or the acupuncture main page.

9. Frequently asked questions about LI 11

What is the LI 11 acupuncture point used for?

The LI 11 acupuncture point (Qū Chí, “Pool at the Bend”) is used primarily for tennis elbow, high blood pressure, fever, sore throat and skin conditions driven by Heat in the Blood — including urticaria, eczema, psoriasis and acne. It is one of the most powerful Heat-clearing points in acupuncture and a leading point for any condition with a Wind-Heat or Damp-Heat pattern.

Where is the LI 11 acupuncture point located?

LI 11 is located at the lateral (outer) end of the transverse cubital crease, at the midpoint between the lateral epicondyle of the humerus and LU 5 (Chize), when the elbow is flexed at 90 degrees. To find it: bend the elbow fully so the crease lines up, then look for the depression at the outer end of that crease against the bony point of the elbow.

Can LI 11 lower blood pressure?

Yes — LI 11 is one of the most important acupuncture points for hypertension, particularly when the TCM pattern is Liver Yang rising. It is regularly combined with GB 20 (Fengchi) and LV 3 (Taichong) in modern Chinese hospital protocols for hypertension management. Modern research consistently shows acupuncture at LI 11 produces measurable systolic and diastolic blood pressure reductions.

Can LI 11 help tennis elbow?

LI 11 is the primary local point for tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis). Because the point sits directly over the common extensor origin, it treats the inflammation at its anatomical source. Most acupuncture treatments for tennis elbow include LI 11 needled with strong De Qi, often combined with surrounding Ashi points and LU 5.

Can LI 11 be used for skin conditions?

Yes. LI 11 is one of the most important points for skin conditions driven by Heat in the Blood — eczema, urticaria, psoriasis and acne. The He-Sea point of the Large Intestine channel has particular affinity for clearing Heat from the skin and Blood, and is regularly combined with SP 10 (Xue Hai) and BL 17 (Ge Shu) in dermatology protocols.

Is LI 11 safe in pregnancy?

LI 11 is generally considered safe in pregnancy when needled by a qualified practitioner. Unlike LI 4 (which is strictly contraindicated), LI 11 does not have documented uterotonic effects. However, in pregnancy any acupuncture must be performed only by a fully qualified practitioner with specific pregnancy training.