Where Can I Find the Location of the Liufu Acupoint?

The Liufu acupuncture point is situated on the ulnar aspect of the forearm (adjacent to the little finger), extending in a straight line from the wrist crease to the elbow crease.

Massage Technique for Liufu Acupuncture Point:

The commonly employed method is pushing. When treating children, flex the elbow, hold one hand on the wrist, and use the index and middle finger pads of the other hand to push from the elbow towards the wrist. This technique is known as pushing (or withdrawing) down the Liufu. Continue for 3 to 5 minutes.

Applications of Liufu Acupuncture Point Massage:

1. As a representative of the downward technique, it addresses various conditions characterized by stagnation leading to obstructed bowel function, typically manifested by dry, solid, and firm stools, such as constipation.

2. As a representative of the clearing technique, it is effective for various heat-related conditions, particularly excessive heat in the Liufu, including bad breath, mouth ulcers, high fever, and irritability.

3. Pushing down the Liufu and pushing up the Sanguan (three gates) are commonly used acupuncture points in clinical practice, representing opposing principles of cold and heat, supplementation, and elimination. Ancient practitioners believed in their potent effects, often combining them to focus on heat and solid conditions through Liufu, and cold and deficiency conditions through Sanguan, balancing heat, cold, supplementation, and elimination.

4. Considered a cooling point, it "greatly replenishes essential energy, namely heart blood." Despite being a cooling point, it also strengthens water to control fire and nourishes yin to suppress yang, making it applicable in cases with concurrent deficiency heat.

5. Xu emphasized that for conditions like warm-toxin-induced neck swelling and throat obstruction, pushing this point 30,000 times may lead to immediate recovery, corresponding to modern epidemic parotitis. While the claim of immediate recovery remains to be verified, it illustrates Liufu's therapeutic effect on this condition.

6. When using this point, combine it with Sanguan, adjusting the application based on the condition's nature (cold or heat) and the primary or secondary role of each point. Avoid overdoing supplementation or elimination, as it may hinder treatment.