UB-18 Ganshu - Liver Correspondence

More Spirit Names: Liver Shu, Liver's Hollow

English:	Liver Shu
Also Known As:	Liver's Hollow

Location

1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the ninth thoracic vertebra
Locate at the highest visible point of the paraspinal muscles

Oblique insertion towards the spine, 0.5 to 1 cun
Transverse oblique insertion 1 to 1.5 cun
Caution: perpendicular needling or oblique needling away from the spine carries a substantial risk of pneumothorax
Straight insertion, slanted slightly toward the spine1 to 1.5 cun
Sensation: local soreness and distention, sometimes extending between the ribs
Caution: Do not needle to deeply in order to avoid puncturing the Lung
Transverse insertion, pointed downward along the muscle1 to 2 cun
Sensation: local distention and soreness
Locate at the highest visible point of the paraspinal muscles
Puncture obliquely 0.5 to 0.7 cun
Moxibustion is applicable

UB-53 Baohuang	UB-20 Pishu UB-52 Zhishi	ST-12 Quepen UB-15 Xinshu REN-14 Juque REN-15 Jiuwei
Fullness of the hypogastrium	Acute pain of both lateral costal regions	Coughing and spitting of Blood
SP-1 Yinbai UB-20 Pishu REN-13 Zhongwan	ST-36 Zusanli	GB-15 Toulinqi
Vomiting Blood Spontaneous External bleeding	Liver Blood Deficiency with cloudy vision	Superficial visual obstruction
KI-3 Taixi KI-6 Zhaohai DU-20 Baihui GB-21 Tianjing LI-2 Erjian LI-3 Sanjian ST-45 Lidui	ST-33 Yinshi KI-3 Taixi	M-HN-13 Yiming LIV-4 Zhongfeng
Somnolence	Cold abdominal Shan (hernial) disorder	Acute or chronic hepatitis
REN-6 Qihai SP-6 Sanyinjiao	UB-23 Shenshu GB-39 Xuanzhong	UB-20 Pishu LIV-14 Qimen UB-16 Dushu SP-10 Xuehai SP-6 Sanyinjiao GB-34 Yanglingquan
Amenorrhea	Acute leukemia	Cirrhosis of the Liver
DU-4 Mingmen	UB-20 Pishu UB-52 Zhishi	UB-17 Geshu
Clears dull eyes	Acute pain in the flanks	Nourishes Liver Blood

This point is indicated for all diseases of the eyes pertaining to the Liver.
It is generally used for Liver Qi Stagnation or Retention of Damp-Heat in the Liver
When treating Liver Deficiency patterns, it should be needled using the reinforcing method or direct moxibustion should be applied.
As a Back-Shu point of a Yin organ, it is mainly used to tonify. It is the basic point for jaundice.

Spirit of the Point	Liver Correspondence is the inner Associated Effect Point (AEP) of the Liver, the General, who gives vision and makes plans. Wood in health is free flow, movement and growth; out of balance, a person may make a thousand plans and start none, or push ahead so hard that no one can keep pace with them. This point revives the Official at a deep level and brings back hope, flexibility and movement.
Worsley	Opens to the Liver Official a direct, immediate and free channel to the energy the Bladder Official holds in reserve, and that store underpins the basic workings of the Official of Planning. Location: On the back, 2 ACI from the midline, level with the dip between the T9 and T10 spinous processes. Needle depth: 3 fen Moxa: 7-20 cones
When to Consider	For drug-induced illness when the Command points don't hold When there is anger, depression or hopelessness When a person makes many plans but cannot put any into action When rigid ideas and a constricted spirit isolate someone When body and mind are out of step with each other
Notes	Inner AEP of the Liver

BL-18 Ganshu — bird-pecking technique: Example of the host-and-fountain relationship: bird-pecking (opposite of thrusting) on the Liver shu point. (Hiltbrand)
BL-23 + BL-18 with LV-14 + GB-25 (shu-mu pairs): Perimenopausal insomnia RCT: 10 sessions over 3 weeks at bilateral BL-23, BL-18 with unilateral LV-14, GB-25 (vs sham); shu-mu pairing treats kidney-liver yin deficiency.
Carrot seed: Oil that resonates with BL-18 Ganshu; apply a drop on the point. (Yuen)

For educational reference only; not a substitute for care from a qualified practitioner.