LI 4 — Hé Gǔ (合谷) — Joining Valley

On this page

1. Overview
2. Location
3. Actions
4. Indications
5. Needling
6. Clinical notes
7. Treatment at my clinic

1. Overview

LI 4 — Hé Gǔ (合谷) — is an acupuncture point on the Large Intestine meridian. Its English name, Joining Valley, 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 4 as part of individually tailored acupuncture prescriptions at my clinic in Wokingham, Berkshire.

2. Location

On the dorsum of the hand, between the 1st and 2nd metacarpal bones, at the midpoint of the 2nd metacarpal bone on its radial side. Alternatively: when the transverse crease of the thumb of one hand is placed along the web margin of the other, the point lies below the tip of the thumb.

3. Actions

1. Expels Wind and releases the Exterior
2. Stops pain — the command point for the face and mouth
3. Regulates the face, nose, mouth and eyes
4. Promotes the smooth flow of Qi throughout the body
5. Induces labour (contraindicated in pregnancy)
6. Clears Heat and reduces fever
7. Restores Yang in collapse (combined with PC 6 and ST 36)

4. Indications

1. Headache — one of the most important points for all types of headache
2. Toothache, facial pain, sinusitis and nasal congestion
3. Common cold, fever and sore throat from exterior invasion
4. Pain anywhere in the body — the primary analgesic point in acupuncture
5. Labour induction and difficult labour (contraindicated in all stages of pregnancy)
6. Constipation and bowel disorders
7. Skin conditions from Wind-Heat
8. Jaw pain and TMJ disorder

5. Needling

Perpendicular insertion 0.5–1.0 cun. Strong De Qi sensation expected. Contraindicated during pregnancy.

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 4 is arguably the single most important acupuncture point and is used in nearly every clinical treatment. It is the Yuan-Source point of the Large Intestine meridian. Its partnership with LV 3 (Taichong) — the 'Four Gates' combination — powerfully moves Qi and Blood throughout the entire body, making it one of the most widely used combinations in clinical practice for pain, stress, headache and emotional constraint. Strictly contraindicated throughout pregnancy as it has documented uterotonic effects and can induce premature labour.

7. Treatment at my clinic

I use LI 4 as part of tailored acupuncture prescriptions for conditions including Headaches, Jaw pain and TMJ, Labour induction, 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.