My Favourite Acupuncture Point: Large Intestine 4 (LI4) – The Master Point for Pain Relief

If there's one acupuncture point that almost everyone has heard of, it's Large Intestine 4 (LI4), also known as Hegu, meaning "Joining Valley."

Located on the hand, LI4 is one of the most powerful and versatile points in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). It is particularly well known for relieving pain, reducing headaches, calming the nervous system, and supporting the body's natural healing processes.

Whether I'm treating migraines, neck pain, shoulder tension, stress, or even seasonal allergies, LI4 is often an important part of an individualised treatment plan.

Where is Large Intestine 4?

LI4 is located on the back of the hand, in the fleshy web between the thumb and index finger. When the thumb and index finger are brought together, the point is found at the highest point of the muscle, just before the first and second metacarpal bones meet.

It is an easy point to locate and is one of the most frequently used acupuncture points worldwide.

Why is LI4 so important in Traditional Chinese Medicine?

In TCM, LI4 is known as the Yuan-Source Point of the Large Intestine meridian. It is famous for its ability to move Qi and Blood throughout the body, making it an excellent point for treating pain caused by stagnation.

It is also considered one of the primary points for disorders affecting the head and face, as the Large Intestine channel travels through the neck, jaw, cheeks and nose.

Because of these actions, LI4 is often used to:

- Move Qi and Blood.

- Relieve pain throughout the body.

- Expel external Wind (such as the early stages of a cold).

- Reduce inflammation.

- Open the nasal passages.

- Calm the mind.

- Promote healthy circulation.

Common actions of LI4

In clinical practice, LI4 is commonly used to:

- Reduce acute and chronic pain.

- Ease headaches and migraines.

- Relieve neck and shoulder tension.

- Support sinus health.

- Reduce stress and anxiety.

- Promote relaxation.

- Improve circulation.

- Help regulate the body's natural healing response.

Conditions that may benefit from LI4

Because of its broad range of actions, LI4 is included in treatment plans for many different conditions.

Headaches and migraines

LI4 is one of the most important acupuncture points for treating pain affecting the head and face.

It is commonly used for:

- Tension headaches.

- Migraines.

- Frontal headaches.

- Facial pain.

- Jaw pain.

- Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction.

Neck, shoulder and upper body pain

Because of its powerful pain-relieving effects, LI4 is frequently used for:

- Neck stiffness.

- Shoulder pain.

- Upper back pain.

- Tennis elbow.

- Wrist pain.

- Hand pain.

It is often combined with other acupuncture points to improve movement and reduce muscle tension.

Sinus and allergy symptoms

LI4 is a favourite point during allergy season and for upper respiratory conditions.

It may help with:

- Sinus congestion.

- Hay fever.

- Runny nose.

- Blocked nose.

- Facial pressure.

Stress and emotional wellbeing

Many patients notice that LI4 helps them feel calmer during treatment.

In TCM, when Qi becomes stagnant, stress can manifest as muscle tension, headaches and irritability. LI4 helps promote the smooth movement of Qi, often creating a noticeable sense of relaxation.

Pain management

One of LI4's greatest strengths is its versatility in treating pain.

It is commonly used for:

- Acute injuries.

- Chronic pain.

- Arthritis.

- Dental pain.

- Post-operative discomfort.

- Muscle tension.

What happens from a Western medical perspective?

Modern anatomy and neuroscience help explain why LI4 is so effective for pain relief.

The point lies over the first dorsal interosseous muscle and is supplied primarily by the superficial branch of the radial nerve, with contributions from the median nerve through nearby tissues. Sensory information from this region travels mainly through the C6 and C7 spinal nerve roots.

When LI4 is stimulated, sensory nerve fibres send signals to the spinal cord and brain, triggering a range of physiological responses.

Research suggests acupuncture at LI4 may:

- Stimulate the release of endorphins and enkephalins, the body's natural pain-relieving chemicals.

- Influence serotonin and dopamine pathways involved in mood and pain regulation.

- Reduce pain transmission within the spinal cord.

- Activate descending pain inhibitory pathways from the brain.

- Improve local blood circulation.

- Regulate activity within the autonomic nervous system, helping shift the body towards a more relaxed, parasympathetic state.

- Reduce inflammation by influencing neuroimmune signalling.

Brain imaging studies have shown that LI4 can influence regions involved in pain perception, emotional regulation and sensory processing, helping explain why it is so widely used for both pain and stress-related conditions.

Why I use LI4 so often

LI4 is one of those points that seems to find its way into many treatment plans because pain, tension and stress are common threads in so many conditions.

Whether someone comes to see me with a migraine, a stiff neck, shoulder pain, sinus congestion or simply feeling overwhelmed, LI4 often provides a strong foundation for treatment.

It also pairs exceptionally well with other acupuncture points. One classic combination is LI4 and Liver 3 (LV3), known as the "Four Gates." Together, these points are traditionally used to promote the smooth flow of Qi and Blood, helping relieve pain, reduce stress and restore balance throughout the body.

A note about pregnancy

LI4 is traditionally avoided during pregnancy unless used intentionally by a qualified practitioner. Historically, it has been associated with stimulating uterine activity and is sometimes used near the end of pregnancy when labour induction is clinically appropriate.

For this reason, it is important that pregnant women receive acupuncture from a registered practitioner who can determine which points are safe and appropriate.

Final thoughts

Large Intestine 4 has been used for thousands of years and continues to be one of the most researched acupuncture points in modern medicine.

Its ability to reduce pain, ease headaches, relieve muscle tension, support sinus health and calm the nervous system makes it one of the most valuable points in my clinic.

While every acupuncture treatment is tailored to the individual, LI4 remains one of my favourite points because it consistently helps the body do what it is designed to do—restore balance, regulate pain and promote healing.

If you're curious about how acupuncture could help with pain, headaches, stress or another health concern, I'd be happy to discuss an individual treatment plan designed specifically for your needs.