Liver meridian
LV-3 (Tàichōng, 太冲) — Great Surge
- Meridian
- Liver (LV)
- Anatomical view
- anterior
- Point classification
- Yuan-source and Shu-stream point of the Liver channel.
- Depth reference
- 0.5–0.8 cun perpendicular only after palpating and avoiding the dorsalis pedis artery
- Moxibustion
- Not established in checked point source; direct or scarring moxibustion over a major vessel is avoided.
- Reference aliases
- LV3; Taichong; 太冲; Great Surge
Anatomical location
On the dorsum of the foot between the first and second metatarsals, in the hollow just distal to their bases and over the dorsalis pedis artery.
Traditional actions
Spreads Liver qi; subdues Liver yang; nourishes Liver blood and yin; clears the head and eyes.
Recorded indications
Primary: Headache; dizziness; irritability; menstrual pain; hypochondriac discomfort.
Secondary: Eye redness; insomnia; digestive upset from constraint; foot pain.
How to read this reference
AcuAtlas separates anatomical location, traditional classification, recorded actions, indications, insertion-depth references, and moxibustion notes because these fields answer different study questions. The location statement is the orientation anchor. The classification and actions describe traditional reference categories, while indications summarize how checked educational sources associate the point with established teaching material. They are not a recommendation to select or stimulate the point.
Depth and moxibustion entries are reproduced as bounded reference notes rather than procedural instructions. Individual anatomy, technique, angle, clinical setting, and local professional standards can change what is appropriate. Review the cited documents and supervised training material before using any technical field. The normalized map coordinate is included only to place the point on the matching AcuAtlas body plate; it is not a substitute for palpation or anatomical assessment.
Sources
References displayed on this page were recorded with the point dataset.
- WHO Standard Acupuncture Point Locations in the Western Pacific Region LR3, p. 197
- Acupuncture.Com Acupuncture Point Reference Liver 3: English translation, classification, indications, functions and needling
- Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine, Clean Needle Technique Manual, 7th ed. Major vessel and direct/scarring moxibustion precautions, pp. 4–5 and Appendix C
- WHO Guidelines on Basic Training and Safety in Acupuncture Section II, 3.3, 3.9 and 5.2: LR3 fainting, direct moxa over vessels and circulatory precautions, pp. 21, 23, 25
Frequently asked questions
Where is LV-3 located?
On the dorsum of the foot between the first and second metatarsals, in the hollow just distal to their bases and over the dorsalis pedis artery.
What reference actions and indications are recorded for LV-3?
Spreads Liver qi; subdues Liver yang; nourishes Liver blood and yin; clears the head and eyes. The dataset lists these primary indications: Headache; dizziness; irritability; menstrual pain; hypochondriac discomfort. Secondary indications are recorded as: Eye redness; insomnia; digestive upset from constraint; foot pain.
Is LV-3 safe during pregnancy?
This dataset does not identify LV-3 as one of its five mandatory pregnancy-caution points. That is not a declaration of safety. Pregnancy-related point selection requires individualized assessment by a qualified clinician.