Liver Channel
Urgent Pulse
急脉Jí MàiAnatomical location
In the inguinal region, 2.5 cun lateral to the upper border of the pubic symphysis, where the femoral artery can be palpated.
Main function
Regulates the Liver, benefits the Lower Jiao, relieves pain.
Therapeutic indications
- Groin pain
- dysmenorrhea
- leukorrhea
- dysuria
- abdominal pain
- hernia
- genital pain
- hypogastric pain
- thigh pain
Name and classical tradition
Jimai, 急脉, is the “urgent pulse.” 急 is urgent, rapid, tense; 脉 (脈), the vessel, the pulse. The point is in the groin, over the femoral artery, where the beat is clearly felt under the fingers, and the name describes that sensation. The reading is literal and uncontroversial.
The Suwen (Basic Questions) records it in the Qi Fu Lun chapter (氣府論), in its list of points by channel: “厥陰毛中急脈各一”, in the Jueyin, one Jimai on each side, in the middle of the hair. The full classical name thus includes the location, “毛中,” in the middle of the pubic hair. It is one of the few points on the thigh section of the channel with a quotation from the Neijing. No alternative names are known for it.
