Large Intestine Channel
Lower Edge
下廉Xià LiánAnatomical location
4 cun distal to LI11, on the line between LI5 and LI11.
Main function
Regulates the Large Intestine, relieves forearm pain.
Therapeutic indications
- Abdominal pain
- diarrhea
- forearm pain
- mastitis
- cystitis
- headache
- vertigo
- elbow pain
- weakness of the upper limb
Name and classical tradition
Xialian, 下廉, means “lower edge.” 下 is down; 廉, an edge, a ridge, the border of a bone or muscle. The point lies on the radial border of the forearm, and its name is understood in relation to that of its neighbor, LI9, the “upper edge.” It is one of the many 上/下 pairs in classical nomenclature, in which a single character orders two points in space.
It should not be confused with an ancient homonym. The Lingshu (Spiritual Pivot), in the Ben Shu chapter, says that “the Small Intestine joins below at 巨虛下廉,” and that Xialian of the leg is the point we now know as ST39, Xiajuxu, on the Stomach channel. The Xialian of the arm is a different point, and its first mention is in the Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing (Systematic Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion). No alternative names or specific classical commentaries are known for it.
