LIV-5 Ligou - Insect Ditch

More Spirit Names: Gourd Ditch, Wormwood Canal, Worm Eater's Groove, Woodworm Canal, Draining Shells

English:	Woodworm Canal
Also Known As:	Gourd Ditch Insect Ditch Wood Border Insect Gate Drain of the Calf Draining Shells Worm-Eater's Groove

Location

• 5 cun above the tip of the medial malleolus, on the midline of the medial surface of the tibia.
• Located 5 cun superior to the vertex of the medial malleolus on the medial border of the tibia.
• 5 cun above the medial malleolus of the ankle in the trough between the posterior margin of the tibia and the gastrocnemius muscle.
• 5 cun above the prominence of the medial malleolus, immediately posterior to the medial crest of the tibia, in the depression between the medial crest of the tibia and the gastrocnemius muscle.
  Note: divide the distance between the tip of the medial malleolus and the popliteal crease into thirds; this point is located at the junction of the distal third and proximal two thirds.

Needling

• Puncture subcutaneously 0.3 to 0.5 cun.
• Moxibustion is applicable.
• Straight insertion along the posterior margin of the tibia, 0.5 to 1 cun, causing local distention and soreness.
• Slanted insertion pointed upward along the posterior margin of the tibia, 1.5 to 2 cun for diseases of the trunk. After Qi has been obtained, use strong stimulation for a short time, causing distention and soreness possibly reaching the genitals.
• Perpendicular insertion 0.5 to 1 cun.
• Oblique insertion directed proximally toward the abdomen 1 to 2 cun.

Command Functions

• Luo-Connecting point
• Master point of Blood (menstrual)

Actions

• Promotes the smooth flow of Liver Qi
• Resolves Damp-Heat
• Clears Damp-Heat form the Lower Jiao
• Benefits Qi
• Clears the channel
• Regulates Qi
• Benefits the genitals
• Regulates menstruation
• Treats Plumpit Qi Stagnation

Indications

Hypogastric distention Pain before urination Retention of urine Cloudy urine Sensation of a lump in the throat "Plumpit Qi Stagnation" Unable to swallow Menstrual irregularity Pain in the testicles Feeling of insects crawling on the skin Dreams of things crawling Cannot bend back Difficulty flexing the knee Violent pain in the abdomen Can't walk or stand All types of sexual dysfunction Impotence Premature ejaculation Sterility Involuntary spermatorrhea Nocturnal emission Uterovaginal prolapse Orchitis Vaginal itching Endometriosis Abnormal uterine bleeding Muscle spasms of the back Lower abdominal fullness Urinary retention Depression Itching, swelling and pain of the genitals Sudden swelling and pain of the testicles Incessant erection Shan disorder Distention and fullness of the lower abdomen Cold and pain of the feet and lower leg

Colic Hiccups Dyspnea Anxiety Sadness Stiff back Dysuria Hardness like a stone above the umbilicus Difficulty bending the legs Cold legs Red or white vaginal discharge Enuresis Hernia Pruritis vulva Weakness and atrophy of the leg Endometritis Swollen painful testicles Low back pain Ischuria Impossible to urinate Urethritis Aching in the shin region Leg pain Wei or Bi syndrome of the foot and shin Spasms of the back, patient cannot bend forward or backward Fearful with lack of energy Malaise in the throat with sensation of obstruction Energy below the navel with hard knots on palpation like rocks Lower abdominal pain Dysmenorrhea Much belching Fright palpitations Fear and fright Worry and oppression Cold shan disorder

Combinations

LIV-8 Ququan LIV-3 Taichong	REN-3 Zhongji	SP-7 Lougu REN-3 Zhongji UB-36 Chengfu UB-67 Zhiyin
Orchitis	Reduces Liver Fire Eliminates Damp-Heat from the genitals	Difficult urination Seminal emission
LIV-9 Yinbao	HT-8 Shaofu	HT-7 Shenmen REN-14 Juque
Irregular menstruation	Plumpit Qi stagnation (globus hystericus)	Fright palpitations with diminished Qi
GB-25 Jingmen LIV-4 Zhongfeng
Swelling of the lower abdomen

Contraindications

Notes

• This point has a specific affinity for the genital and urinary areas.
• It can be used for any urinary symptom due to Liver Qi Stagnation.
• In case of Excess, the penis will increase in length - sedate.
• In case of Deficiency, the penis will shrink - tonify.
• This is a good point for itching anywhere on the body.
• This point anchors and stabilizes.
• This point is special for priapism.
• Liver Luo vessel: Branches off the primary channel at LIV-5 on the medial lower leg. Links with the GB channel. Rises to the genitals. Symptoms of the Liver Luo: Priapism, itching of the pubic region, swollen testes and hernia.
• Innervation: saphenous nerve.