Acu-points for self-care - Liver 3

Rivaling Large Intestine 4 (LI.4) for popularity, Liver 3 (LR.3) is a frequently used point in acupuncture treatments. In Acu-points for Self-health Care – Large Intestine 4, I spoke about LI.4’s attributes for pain, headaches, sinus and intestinal issues, to name a few.

In Chinese Medicine, the Liver is part of the Wood element and is referred to as the ‘General’ because, like an army general, it is able to oversee complicated operations – the body, mind and spirit. The strength of the Liver is its clarity of vision. It gives us ideas, and helps us act upon them. When this isn’t happening, the flip side of the Liver, anger and frustration, takes the foreground. In our speedy, modern world when life gets stressful, the Liver becomes constrained and massaging LR.3, can help alleviate some of the built up pressure.

Massaging Liver 3

According to the Chinese Clock, the strong time for the Liver is 1 am – 3 am. This, coupled with its ability to calm irritability, makes it a useful point for insomnia – especially if you wake up in this two hour window.

Physically, this meridian begins at LR.1, located at the base of the nail on the inside of the big toe. It travels up the inside of the leg, through the groin and ends at the rib cage, just below the breast with LR.14, called Gate of Hope.

Similar to LI.4’s location at the web of the hand, LR.3 resides in the web between the big toe and the first long toe. Also like LI.4, it helps move energy; used together, they are the magic chi moving combination called Four Gates. If you have pain because your energy is stuck (pain that reduces with movement), take time to squeeze and rub these points on both sides of the body.

Using your thumb and index finger, firmly squeeze and rub the area as shown in the picture. If it’s tender, it is a good sign that it needs your TLC. Use pressure you can tolerate without tensing other parts of your body. Continue a few minutes, until tenderness subsides. Repeat often.

Other ways LR.3 can help you:

Menstrual cramps – Don’t wait until the cramps come, work on this point throughout the month.

Stomach issues – Acid reflux and nausea can be due to stuck energy; the Liver gets feisty and overpowers the stomach so that it can’t perform its function properly. LR.3 tells the Liver to chill out!

Eye issues – Because of the Liver’s relationship with the eyes, blurred vision, red, and dry eyes can be treated with LR.3.

Headaches – If the headache is coming from too much energy in the Liver meridian surging upwards, then this is the perfect point to help subdue it.

***Caution should always be used in pregnancy. If you are pregnant, consult your local acupuncturist prior to using any acupuncture points.****

Check future blogs for more acu-points for self-health care!