Yangxi Point (LI-5)
Discover the exact location and acupressure method for Yangxi (LI-5). Learn its benefits for headache, tinnitus, wrist pain, and tonsillitis, plus powerful combinations with Taichong, Tinggong, and Taiyang for various conditions.
Indications
Headache, tinnitus, tonsillitis, wrist pain, red and painful eyes, febrile disease with restlessness.
Precise Location
Located on the Large Intestine meridian. Place the palm sideways with the thumb lifted upward. The point is on the dorsal side of the wrist, in the depression between two tendons at the wrist crease.
Location Method
Place the palm sideways, straighten the thumb and lift it upward. There is a depression on the radial side of the dorsum of the wrist, just above the wrist crease. Use the other hand to gently hold the back of the hand, bend the thumb, and press vertically downward with the thumbnail into this depression – that is the point.
Massage Method
① Massage: Press and knead with the thumb for 200 repetitions. ② Scraping therapy: Scrape from the wrist toward the fingers. Press vertically with the thumbnail – a distinct sore and distending sensation will occur. Apply to both left and right hands separately for 1–3 minutes each side per session. Therapeutic actions: Clears heat and disperses wind, frees and benefits the joints.
Compatibility
Deafness: Combine with Tinggong (SI-19), Xiaguan (ST-7), Taichong (LR-3), and Yangxi (LI-5). Disease overview: Hearing impairment due to dysfunction of the sound-conducting or sound-perceiving system. Mild cases present as "hard of hearing" – able to hear raised speech; severe cases present as deafness – unable to hear or perceive external sounds clearly. Massage sequence: Gently press Tinggong for 3 minutes. Place four fingers together and gently massage Tinggong and Xiaguan in front of the ear for 1 minute. Then massage Taichong on the foot, and finally massage Yangxi on the hand. Headache: Combine with Taiyang (EX-HN5), Meichong (BL-3), Quchai (BL-4), and Yangxi (LI-5). Stroke: Combine with Shuigou (GV-26), Baihui (GV-20), Fengchi (GB-20), Shixuan (EX-UE11), and Yangxi (LI-5).
Efficacy & Actions
Have you ever tossed and turned at night due to a headache? Have you ever heard a constant rumbling in your ears without knowing why? Have you ever suffered from wrist pain from over-exercising or spending too much time on the computer? If you have any of these problems, regular massage of Yangxi point may help. Yangxi belongs to the Large Intestine meridian and is the Jing-River point (with Fire property according to the five-element theory). It clears heat, disperses wind, and frees and benefits the joints. "Yang" means yang qi; "xi" means stream. Located on the wrist at the dorsal side of the hand, in a depression between two tendons that resembles a stream, where yang qi gathers – hence the name Yangxi.