LIV-3 Taichong - Supreme Rushing
More Spirit Names: Happy Calm, Bigger Rushing, Supreme Surge, Great Surge, Great Pouring, Great Thoroughfare
| English: | Great Rushing |
| Also Known As: | Great Thoroughfare Big Rush Great Pouring Supreme Rushing Supreme Assault Bigger Rushing Great Surge |
Location
- On the dorsum of the foot, in the hollow distal to the junction of the first and second metatarsal bones.
- On the foot, 1.5 to 2 cun above the web, between the first and second toes.
Needling
- In the direction of KI-1 Yongchuan, 0.5 to 1.5 cun.
- Puncture perpendicularly 0.3 to 0.5 cun.
- Moxibustion is applicable.
- Slanted insertion toward KI-1 Yongchuan at the bottom of the foot, 1 to 1.5 cun. Sensation: local soreness and distention or an electric, numb sensation extending toward the bottom of the foot.
Command Functions
- Shu-Stream point of the Liver channel
- Yuan-Source point of the Liver channel
- Earth point of the Liver channel
- Ma Dan-Yang Heavenly Star point
- Independent Associated point for spasms
- Sedation point
Actions
- Spreads Liver Qi
- Pacifies the Liver
- Subdues Liver Yang
- Extinguishes Liver Wind due to Blood Deficiency
- Regulates and tonifies the Liver
- Nourishes Liver Blood and Liver Yin
- Clears the head and eyes
- Regulates menstruation
- Regulates the Lower Jiao
- Regulates the Blood
- Opens the channel
- Stops pain
- Calms the Mind
- Calms spasms
Indications
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Combinations
| B-15 | LI-4 | ST-16 |
Red eyes Epistaxis | Nasal congestion and discharge Nasal polyps Cold and Heat with painful obstruction Unendurable pain of the arm that radiates to the shoulder and spine Expels Wind from the face, for facial paralysis and tic | Swelling of the lips |
Cracked and bleeding tongue | Erosion, Heat and dryness of the mouth | Most types of acute throat pain |
LIV-2 | KI-7 | |
Dry throat with a desire to drink Pain of the Liver and Heart Pain of the Heart with a green complexion like death Inability to catch the breath all day long | Breast pain | Swelling and saber lumps of the axilla |
SP-3 | LIV-1 | |
Abdominal distention leading to back pain | Genital pain | The seven kinds of Shan disorder |
KI-8 Or SP-6 | ||
Profuse and ceaseless uterine bleeding | Uterine prolapse | Difficult delivery |
REN-2 (7 moxa cones) | UB-33 | LIV-8 |
Red and white leukorrhea | Difficulty defecating | Diarrhea with thin stools Dysenteric disorder with Blood in the stools |
UB-40 | ||
Diarrhea with thin stools | The five types of hemorrhoids | Hemafecia |
UB-23 (moxa) | SP-11 | LIV-2 |
Deficiency-taxation edema (100 moxa cones on LIV-3 Taichong) | Enuresis | Wasting and thirsting disorder |
Flaccidity of the legs | Weakness of the legs (moxa LIV-3 Taichong) | Inability to walk |
LIV-4 | ||
Difficulty walking | Soreness of the joints of the extremities |
- LIV-3 + LI-4 (Four Gates): calming effect, extinguishes Liver Wind and stops spasms
Contraindications
Notes
- This point comprises two of the Four Gates.
- This point has a sedative action and is similar in action to LIV-2 Xingjian, but more for Liver Yang than Liver Fire.
- This is a total relaxation point.
- It affects the parathyroid, pancreas and ovaries.
- This point cleans the Liver. It is good for detoxing from alcohol, drugs and chocolate.
- Sedating is used more than tonifying: it mainly drains the Liver in Excess patterns, but with reinforcing method it nourishes Liver Blood.
- Other key points for soothing Liver Qi: GB-34, PC-6, SJ-6, LIV-13 and LIV-14.
- An important gynecological point; its name Tai Chong connects it with the Chong Mai.
- LIV-2 vs LIV-3: LIV-2 only sedates, while LIV-3 can sedate or tonify and also stops spasm.
- LIV-3 sits where Yang turns into Yin, the reverse of LI-4, which sits where Yin turns into Yang.
- Herbal parallel for LIV-3: Bai Shao, which tonifies more than it sedates.
Five Elements Spirit Perspective
| Spirit of the Point | Supreme Rushing is the Earth point and Source point of the Liver, and this point is also called 'Happy Calm'. Very often it works miracles for the patient who is easily annoyed and quick to fly off the handle; it is calming and warming and brings balance when a person is overexcited and agitated. As Earth on Wood it is stabilizing and grounding, giving Wood a place with limits in which to grow, and it reminds the Liver when to stop. It calms and frees the mind and spirit and gives courage and strength. When Earth is too tight, people become stuffy, uptight and impacted; this point clears congestion in the thoroughfare, bringing free and easy wandering and a smoother perspective, and it helps a person navigate through their emotions and through life. It brings some control to growth. Here we can pack more Earth round the tree, or take compacted Earth away to give the roots room to spread; either way we bring the tree more peace. |
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| Worsley |
Location: On the dorsum of the foot, where the 1st and 2nd metatarsals come together to form an angle. (Secondary source) |
| When to Consider |
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| Combinations | |
| Notes |
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From Class
- LI-4, ST-36, LV-3, SP-10, BL-20: TCM points for weak wei qi/immune weakness; patients can massage them at home. (Yuen)
- LV-2, LV-3, LV-14: Always address the liver to decongest it in hormone-excess/endometrial conditions. (Lewis)
- LV-3 Taichong / LV-8 Ququan: High LDL/triglycerides are a liver (not heart) problem; needle LV-3 and LV-8 with herbs to generate liver blood, plus reduced fat intake or fasting. (Yuen)
- LV-14 Qimen / LV-3 Taichong: LV-14 on Yin Wei Mai, 'cycle gate' — every ending a new beginning; stores blood; LV-3 source point moves and builds blood. (Shea)
- Core anxiety points: HT-7, LV-3, PC-6, Ren-17 + Du-20, Yintang: HT-7, LV-3, PC-6, Ren-17 for anxiety, plus the brain, 'house of the original shen': Du-20 and Yintang (skip Yintang face-down). (Piao)
- Four Gates (LI-4 + LV-3, or LU-1 + LV-14): Outer or inner four gates nudge the body back into its own rhythm; the lung also directs qi and rhythm. (Lewis)
- Full-body protocol: ST-36 to ST-40/42, SP-6/7/8, LV-3, LI-4, ST-25, Ren-12, Ren-6, Ren-17: Earth School 'treat the center' approach; feel ST-36 qi descend to ST-40/42. (Alexander)
- Labor: LV-3, LI-4, ST-36, SP-6: Difficult labor: LI-4 stimulates the uterus, ST-36 moves bowels and qi, SP-6 encourages contractions, plus LV-3 — open the Bao, release the Dai. (Lewis)
- Lemon or German chamomile: Oil that resonates with LV-3 Taichong (?); apply a drop on the point.