Location

below the lateral aspect of the knee, in the tender depression approximately 1 cun ahead of and below the head of the fibula. A cun is the distance between the 2nd and 3rd knuckles or the distance at the widest part of the thumb.

Needling

perpendicular insertion 1.0 to 1.5 inches.

moxa is OK

Actions

Benefits the sinews and joints
Activates the channel and relieves pain
Spreads liver Qi and benefits the lateral costal region
Clears Liver and Gallbladder of damp-heat
Harmonizes shaoyang.

Signs and Symptoms

hemiplagia, weakness/numbness/pain of the legs, swelling/pain of the knee, hypochondriac pain, bitter taste in the mouth, vomiting, jaundice, infantile convulsion

Commentary

Yanglingquan is the Hui-Meeting Point of the sinews (muscles, ligaments, tendons etc.) and other such structures associated with the joints. According to the ancient texts the knees are the residence of the Sinews. When one cannot flex or bend the knees and walking is impossible without assistance the sinews are exhausted.

Yanglingquan is the foremost point for all disorders involving the sinuews around muscles and joints throughout the body and most particularly in the legs. Knee pain, hip pain, sciatica, hemiplagia (one sided paralysis), muscle atrophy, cramping, contraction, stiffness and sprain anywhere in the body are all treated by Yanglingquan.

That having been said, Yanglingquan has a particularly strong effect on the knee and elbow joints which makes it the point of choice for many sports related injuries.

It is a principal of Chinese medicine that points located at the ends of the channels have their most powerful effect at the other end of the channel and those points located around the knees and elbows have thier most prominant effect on the middle. Yanglingquan is a point of choice for all pain and discomfort of the lateral costal region (under the rib cage) and around the rib cage, whatever the cause.

Yanglingquan is particularly indicated for accumulation of damp/heat in the Gallbladder manifesting with such symptoms as bitter taste in the mouth, nausea,vomiting, and jaundice.

Damp/heat accumulating in the stomach area may arise from;
i) overindulgence of rich, greasy foods
ii) overconsumption of alcohol
iii) attack of an external pathogen (bacteria, virus, parasite)
iv) spleen dificiency
v) liver disharmony.

In all cases Yanglingquan is recommended.