LIV-8 Ququan - Crooked Spring
More Spirit Names: Curved Spring, Spring at the Bend, Spring and Bend
| English: | Spring at the Crook |
| Also Known As: | Crooked Spring Bending Fountain Fountain of the Corner Curved Spring |
Location
- Just superior to the medial end of the popliteal crease, in the depression anterior to the tendons of the m. semitendinosus and m. semimembranosis, about 1 cun anterior to KI-10 Yingu.
- Note: It is helpful to flex the knee to locate the popliteal crease and identify the tendons, although the point may subsequently be needled with a pillow under the leg to semi-flex it. The m. semitendinosus, which lies posteriorly to the m. semimembranosis is the most prominent of the two tendons.
- When the knee is flexed, the point is at the medial end of the transverse popliteal crease, posterior to the medial epicondyle of the tibia, in the depression of the anterior border of the insertions of the m. semitendinosus and m. semimembranosis.
- With the knee flexed, this point can be found in the depression at the medial end of the transverse crease on the posterior aspect of the knee.
- With the knee flexed, this point is located in the depression on the medial end of the transverse popliteal crease between the upper border of the medial epicondyle of the femur and the tendon of the semimembranosus muscle.
Needling
- Perpendicular or slightly posterior insertion 1 to 1.5 cun.
- Puncture perpendicularly 0.5 to 0.8 cun.
- Moxibustion is applicable.
- Straight insertion 1 to 1.5 cun. Sensation: local distention and soreness
Command Functions
- He-Sea point of the Liver channel
- Water point of the Liver channel
- Tonification point of the Liver
Actions
- Clears Damp-Heat from the Lower Jiao
- Benefits the genitals
- Invigorates the Blood
- Benefits the uterus
- Nourishes Blood and Yin
- Benefits the Bladder
- Relaxes the muscle channels
Indications
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Combinations
| REN-7 | LIV-2 | |
Itching of the genitals | Retention of urine Pain of the penis | Seminal emission |
LIV-4 | Or | |
Seminal emission with dreams | Uterine prolapse (100 moxa cones on Ququan) | Uterine prolapse |
LIV-3 | ||
Lower abdominal pain from the seven kinds of Shan disorder | Pain of the umbilical region | Diarrhea with thin stools Dysenteric disorder with Blood in the stools |
UB-60 | UB-11 | LIV-7 |
Headache and dizziness | All wind, Atrophy and inversion diseases, Bi | Pain of the medial aspect of the knee |
Contraction of the sinews and difficulty flexing and extending the knee with inability to walk | Hernia pain | Severe prolapsed uterus |
LIV-2 | ||
Retained urine Penile pain |
Contraindications
Notes
- This point acts mainly on the genitals and lower abdomen.
- Its main function is to eliminate Damp-Heat from the Lower Jiao.
- It is effective for both Damp-Heat and Cold-Damp.
Five Elements Spirit Perspective
| Spirit of the Point | Crooked Spring is the Water point and Tonification point of the Liver, the spring at the bend of the knee. The point can water the tree directly, or draw water off when it is saturated: with too much water the tree rots and can be blown over easily, and with too little it is stiff and brittle and can't yield to the wind. It brings the rooting and calm of Water so Wood can bend with change, and it can strengthen the Will when life feels like a battle. It moistens and makes juices, bringing spring's creativity and fertility, like giving a child something to drink. Water finds its way around obstacles with cleverness and force. With too much water a person is overwhelmed and adrift, flooded with ideas and plans, drifting like a log in water with no purposeful movement. Think of cement mixed with the wrong amount of water: either lumpy and hard, or sloppy. |
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| Worsley | Location: On the inner side of the knee, behind the tibia's medial condyle, near the end of the crease that forms when the knee bends. |
| When to Consider |
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| Notes |
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From Class
- KI-2 + SP-8, SP-4 + LV-8, LV-2 + HT-5: Distal points to reset blood: KI-2/SP-8 (hormonal), SP-4/LV-8 (spleen-liver banking blood), LV-2 Xingjian supports HT-5 Tongli (heart circulation). (Yuen)
- PC-5 Jianshi: For reckless blood/hemorrhage; consolidates; pairs with LV-8 to bank the blood. (Gioioso)
- 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-8 Ququan: Nourishes blood, engenders qi; paired with PC-5. (Gioioso)
- LV-8 Ququan / Dang Gui Shao Yao San: Low iron is liver blood deficiency — LV-8 and Dang Gui Shao Yao San with plenty of Bai Shao; high iron (hemochromatosis) — clear liver heat. (Lewis)
- Postnatal depression — Heart-Blood deficiency points: HT-5, HT-7, Ren-14, Ren-15, BL-15, LV-8, Du-20, Ren-4, ST-36, SP-6, Du-19, PC-6; reinforcing (Du-19 even); moxa applicable. (Maciocia)