LV 14 — Qī Mén (期门) — Cycle Gate
On this page
1. Overview
LV 14 — Qī Mén (期门) — is an acupuncture point on the Liver meridian. Its English name, Cycle Gate, reflects the point’s classical character and location. It is used regularly in acupuncture practice for 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, practising at my clinic in Wokingham, Berkshire.
2. Location
Directly below the nipple in the 6th intercostal space, 4 cun lateral to the anterior midline.
3. Actions
- Front-Mu point of the Liver — directly regulates the Liver
- Spreads Liver Qi and resolves stagnation
- Invigorates Blood and reduces masses
- Benefits the breasts and hypochondriac region
4. Indications
- Liver Qi stagnation — the primary Front-Mu point
- Breast pain, mastitis and fibrocystic breasts from Liver Qi constraint
- Hypochondriac and flank pain
- Hiccup from rebellious Liver Qi invading the Stomach
- Hepatitis and liver conditions
5. Needling
Oblique or transverse insertion 0.5–0.8 cun. Never perpendicular — pneumothorax risk.
Important: Acupuncture should only be performed by a fully qualified practitioner. All needles I use are sterile, single-use and disposed of in a clinical sharps container immediately after treatment.
6. Clinical notes
LV 14 is the Front-Mu point of the Liver and the last point on the Liver meridian. Combined with BL 18 (Back-Shu of the Liver) it forms the Front-Mu / Back-Shu pair for direct Liver organ regulation. It is particularly important for breast conditions — cyclical mastalgia, fibrocystic breasts — where Liver Qi stagnation invades the breast tissue via the Liver channel.
7. Treatment at my clinic
I use LV 14 as part of tailored acupuncture prescriptions for conditions including Stress, Depression, Fatty liver. 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.
