Liver 14: last point on Liver channel – Qimen

Liver 14 is the fourteenth and last point along the main acupuncture channel of the Liver and is:

• the Alarm or Front-Mu point of the Liver
• the Meeting point of the Liver and Spleen channels with the Yin Wei (linking) channel
• the Exit point of the Liver channel, and therefore last point of the cycle through all the regular channels

Location of Liver 14

I was taught two ways of finding this point. They are close to one another but definitely different points, although they do seem to work in similar ways.

However, because people have different body shapes, the second location is not always so easy to be sure of (despite it being shown to me very often!). However, I prefer it – when I can locate it accurately.

1. Between the 6th and 7th ribs, on the mid-clavicular line.
2. On the inferior edge of the thoracic rib-cage vertically under the nipple (on men) and usually level with a point half-way between Conception Vessel 11 and Conception Vessel 12. On women, or men with huge (and unreliable) breasts, the line to take is the mid-clavicular line. The point is usually located at a notch in the 10th rib. However, whether or not the point is on the mid-clavicular line, it does fall at the level half way between CV11 and CV12 (except on me and quite a few others, it turns out!). This point is called Lower Qimen.

Needling Qimen

When in need of treatment, it is nearly always sore on palpation.

For 1/ above: Insert the needle obliquely, not perpendicularly, up to 1 cun max. If you insert perpendicularly, you may puncture the pleura and cause a pneumothorax.

For 2/ above: insert perpendicularly or obliquely up to 1 cun. Too deep and you could damage underlying tissues.

Needle Sensation at Liver 14

Local to the point. Sometimes upwards towards the nipple.

Moxibustion on Qimen

Moxa: up to 5 cones.

ACTIONS of Liver 14

• Harmonises Liver and Stomach
• Moves Blood
• Spreads Liver qi

Harmonises Liver and Stomach

• Calms an angry digestion or digestion upset by emotions, leading to belching, burping, regurgitation, acidity, hiccough, vomiting food or inability to swallow
• Tonifies Liver Yin
• Relieves retention of food
• Intercostal neuralgia ie pain between the ribs
• Hepatitis
• Cholecystisis – inflammation of the gallbladder
• Hard swelling or distention in the abdomen

Moves Blood

• Regulates the circulation of Qi and Blood
• Enlarged liver organ from Blood Stagnation
• Sensation of heat in the chest and heart
• Pain in the heart organ

Spreads Liver qi where Liver Qi stagnates, as often in:

• Premenstrual irregularities and pain
• Postpartum difficulties with hiccups and burping
• Pleurisy
• Asthma with inability to sit or sleep
• Distension of chest and abdomen with abdominal gas
• Distension over the ribs
• Sighing, irritability, agitation in the chest
• Difficult breathing and cough from suppressed anger or from long-term anger