闌尾穴 : Lanweixue : Appendix Point

Location Guides:

Location:

Approximately 2 cun distal to Zusanli St-36 on the right leg

Needling:

Perpendicular insertion 1 - 1.5 cun

TCM Actions:

Activates Qi and clears Heat and Fire poison from the Large Intestine
Treats appendicitis

TCM Indications:

• Acute and chronic appendicitis, paralysis of the lower limb, drop foot, indigestion.

Neuroanatomy:

Superficial Innervation: Lateral cutaneous nerve of the calf (L5 - S2)

Dermatome Segment: L5

Martial Applications & Effects of Injury:

See Montaigue, Dim Mak Locations, Taijiworld.com for explanation of effects.

Major Combinations:

• Appendicitis:
    Lanweixue Ex-LE-7 with Shangjuxu St-37 (left), Tianshu St-25 and Quchi LI-11 (Deadman, Al-Khafaji & Baker, A Manual of Acupuncture).

Notes:

Famous for becoming tender when the appendix is inflamed, in which case it can be needled (Deadman, Al-Khafaji & Baker, A Manual of Acupuncture).

Reference Notes:

Basic information on location, needle depth, TCM actions, indications and combinations is taken from Deadman et al (2001): A Manual of Acupuncture with additional anatomical information researched by reference to Gray's Anatomy (38th Ed., 1995) unless otherwise referenced. Images were found on acupunctureschoolonline.com and can be traced back to Claudia Focks (2008) Atlas of Acupuncture originally. I cannot claim any credit or rights over them. Other sources should be quoted in the text.

For some of the more unusual terms I have created a glossary here