What is LI 4?

Large Intestine 4 is one of the most popular acupuncture points used today. If you have ever had acupuncture before then chances are you’ve had this point needled. It’s incredibly popular among traditional Chinese practitioners. You may have even heard to massage this area before if you experience headaches or stress, that’s how effective and mainstream it’s become!

Where is the LI 4 acupuncture point?

To find the large intestine 4 point you can take your thumb and pointer finger with one hand and pinch the muscular webbed space between your other thumb and pointer finger. You can gently squeeze that area and that’s LI4! You might have some pain or discomfort there which is a very common finding, especially if you need that point done. That pain is often an indicator that you may have some eliminating to do… let me explain: 

Large Intestine 4 (LI4) is known as “Union Valley” and is often referred to as the Great Eliminator. This is because it is at the area of the large intestine meridian that is associated with clearing energy and removing what is no longer needed to support overall flourishing of the system. This can point to a number of areas in your life and be a sign to take a look at what is holding you back or what you should release from your life, whether that’s emotions, people, clutter, etc.  

How can acupuncture on LI 4 help me?

LI4 is also used for a number of physical conditions which I’ve listed below. It’s because of this dual function that it’s one of my favorite points to use in practice. These are some of the major reasons I use LI 4 on my acupuncture patients in boulder:

  • headaches 
  • sinus pressure/infection
  • jaw pain
  • elimination issues: constipation or diarrhea 
  • menstrual pain
  • stress
  • anxiety
  • mental unrest

 

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms you can try using a little acupressure to stimulate this point. Using your other thumb and pointer finger – apply some gentle pressure in the soft and muscular webbing between the opposite thumb and first digit. If this area is sore or painful it might just mean that you need to pay attention to this point a little more, or search “an acupuncturist near me” to find someone in your area!

 

Of course, if you’d like a little extra help, call your local acupuncturist/chiropractic acupuncturist and talk to them about what you’re experiencing! And if you’re near Boulder, Colorado you can pay us a visit! Check out our Acupuncture page for more info on what a visit with us looks like: CLICK HERE!