It starts from the middle Jiao, communicates with the large intestine, homes to the lung, emerges at LU 1 Zhongfu （中府）, descends along the anterior portion of the medial aspect of the upper limb, and ends on the medial side of the tip of the thumb [LU 11 Shaoshang （少商）].
One branch splits from LU 7 Lieque （列缺）, and runs directly to the radial side of the tip of the index finger [LI 1 Shangyang （商阳）], where it links with the Large Intestine Meridian.
It diverges from the regular Lung Meridian at the axilla and passes anterior to the Heart Meridian in the chest, connects with the lung, and disperses in the large intestine. One branch ascends from the lung, emerges at the supraclavicular fossa, ascends across the throat, and converges with the Large Intestine Meridian.
It separates from the regular Lung Meridian at LU 7 Lieque （列缺）, follows the Lung Meridian into the palm and spreads through the thenar eminence, and connects with the Large Intestine Meridian, to which the Lung Meridian is interiorly–exteriorly or Biao-li related.
It starts on the thumb at LU 11 Shaoshang （商阳）, ascends to bind at the thenar eminence, follows the radial pulse and ascends the flexor aspect of the forearm to bind at the center of the elbow, continues along the anterolateral aspect of the upper arm to enter the chest below the axilla, emerges in the region of ST 12 Quipen （缺盆） and travels laterally to the shoulder, anterior to LI 15 Jianyu, returns to the supraclavicular [ST 12 Quepen （缺盆）] region and descends into the chest, spreads over the diaphragm, and converges in the region of the floating ribs.
There are 11 points on the Lung Meridian, among which the points underlined are commonly used. The range of treatment of the lung points includes diseases of the throat, chest and lungs and disorders along the traveling course of the meridian. Examples: cough, asthma, chest pain, sore throat, arm pain.
Name: Middle Palace, Central Residence. The name implies that the Lung Meridian originates from the middle Jiao. The Lung-Qi gathers at this entry point crossing with the Spleen Meridian.
Special Group: (1) Front-Mu point of the Lung; (2) Crossing Point of the Lung and Spleen Meridians.
Location: At the lateral aspect of the upper chest, 6 cun lateral to the anterior midline or Ren Meridian, level with the first intercostal space .
Actions: Descends and disperses Lung-Qi, relieves cough and wheezing, clears heat and regulates the upper Jiao.
Indications: Cough, wheezing or asthmatic breathing, chest fullness and pain, back and shoulder pain, a feeling of obstruction in the throat.
Method: Puncture obliquely 0.5–0.8 cun toward the lateral aspect of the chest. Avoid deep needling toward the medial aspect. Note: For all the points below, only the puncturing method is described. Moxibustion will not be detailed unless there is a special consideration.
Name: Cloud Gate. The name refers to the Lung-Qi entering and filling this point like a cloud or fog.
Special Group: None.
Location: In the space below the acromial end of the clavicle, 6 cun lateral to the anterior midline or Ren Meridian, approximately 1 cun above LU 1 Zhongfu.
Actions: Descends and disperses Lung-Qi, and relieves cough and wheezing.
Indications: Cough, wheezing or asthmatic breathing, chest fullness and pain, shoulder and arm pain.
Method: Puncture obliquely 0.5–0.8 cun toward the lateral aspect of the chest. Avoid deep needling toward the medial aspect.
Name: Heavenly Palace, Celestial Residence. This point is the highest one on the arm and is thus associated with heaven.
Special Group: None.
Location: On the medial aspect of the upper arm, 3 cun below the end of the axillary fold, 6 cun above LU 5 Chize, on the radial side of the biceps brachii muscle.
Actions: Descends and disperses Lung-Qi; clears heat and cools the blood.
Indications: Shoulder and arm pain, cough, wheezing or asthmatic breathing, epistaxis.
Location: On the medial aspect of the upper arm, 4 cun below the end of the axillary fold, 1 cun below LU 3 Tianfu, on the radial side of the biceps brachii muscle.
Actions: Descends and disperses Lung-Qi.
Indications: Cough, wheezing or asthmatic breathing, chest fullness, pain in the medial aspect of the upper arm.
Name: Cubit Marsh. “Chi ” (“cubit”) suggests the location and is also an ancient measurement in which the distance between the wrist and the elbow is measured as 1 chi. “Ze” (“marsh”) refers to the point’s Qi gathering as a He-Sea point.
Special Group: He-Sea Point (Water).
Location: On the cubital crease on the radial side of the tendon of the biceps brachii muscle.
Actions: Clears lung heat and descends Lung-Qi.
Indications: Cough, wheezing or asthmatic breathing, hemoptysis, tidal fever, chest fullness, sore throat, Fright Wind Syndrome of children, acute vomiting and diarrhea, pain and spasm in the elbow and arm.
Name: Broken Sequence. It is a Luo-Connecting point that is not directly aligned with the meridian line that connects LU 5 Chize and LU 9 Taiyuan. This point, therefore, “breaks” the traveling sequence.
Special Group: (1) Luo-Connecting Point; (2) Confluent Point, linked with the Ren Meridian.
Location: Superior to the styloid process of the radius, about 1.5 cun above the transverse crease of the wrist (figure). Special locating method: When the index fingers and thumbs of both hands are crossed with the index finger of one hand placed on the styloid process of the radius of the other, the point is in the depression right under the tip of the index finger. Or move up directly along the top of the styloid process of the radius to feel the aperture between the two tendons .
Actions: Disperses Lung-Qi, dispels pathogenic wind, and frees the meridian and collateral courses.
Indications: Headache due to wind attack, neck rigidity, cough, wheezing or asthmatic breathing, sore and swollen throat, deviation of the mouth and eyes, toothache.
Name: Channel Gutter, Passing Ditch. The name describes the flow of Qi through this Jing-River point.
Special Group: Jing-River Point (Metal).
Location: 1 cun above the transverse crease of the wrist, on the medial aspect of the styloid process of the radius, on the radial side of the radial artery.
Actions: Disperses Lung-Qi, stops cough, and soothes asthma.
Indications: Cough, wheezing or asthmatic breathing, Fullness in the chest, sore and swollen throat, wrist pain.
Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.3–0.5 cun. Avoid injuring the radial artery.
Name: Supreme Abyss. It is a Yuan-Primary point into which vital-Qi flows deeply.
Special Group: (1) Yuan-Primary Point; (2) Shu-Stream Point (Earth); (3) Influential Point of Vessels.
Location: At the radial end of the transverse crease of the wrist, in the depression on the radial side of the radial artery .
Actions: Dispels pathogenic wind, resolves phlegm, clears the lungs, stops cough, and soothes asthma.
Indications: Cough, wheezing or asthmatic breathing, hemoptysis, chest pain, palpitations, sore and swollen throat, pain in the wrist and arm, loss of the pulse.
Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.2–0.3 cun. Avoid injuring the radial artery.
Name: Lesser Shang. Shang is the second note of the musical scale, which corresponds to metal in the Five Elements Theory. The lung also relates to metal.
Special Group: Jing-Well Point (wood).
Location: On the radial side of the thumb, about 0.1 cun (traditionally, the width of a Chinese leek leaf) posterior to the corner of the nail.
Actions: Clears heat from the lung, soothes the throat, frees the meridian course, restores the balance of Yin and Yang, and revives the patient.
Indications: Sore and swollen throat, cough, epistaxis, fever, unconsciousness, Dian Kuang or manic–depressive syndrome.
Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.1 cun or apply blood-letting.
