Liver 3 (Lv 3, Liv3) acupuncture point, also known as “Taichong” or “Great Rushing”, is a commonly used point in acupuncture and has multiple functions from both a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and bio-scientific perspective.
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Liver 3 Acupuncture Point Location
Lv 3 is located on the foot, in the depression distal the junction of the 1st and 2nd metatarsal bones.
Functions of Liver 3
According to TCM Theory:
- Soothes Liver Qi: Liver 3 is said to regulate and calm the flow of Liver Qi, relieving stagnation and constraint.
- Regulates Menstruation: This point is used to treat menstrual irregularities, cramps, and other related issues.
- Calms the Mind: Liver 3 is believed to have a calming effect on the mind and spirit, helping to reduce anxiety and stress.
Research on Liver 3
In 2021, a study was published in the journal Advances in Integrative Medicine that explored the effects of a specific acupuncture point, Taichong (LR3), on blood pressure in patients with hypertension. The study aimed to see if this acupuncture point could help lower both systolic and diastolic blood pressure as an additional treatment to standard care.
The trial included 90 participants with hypertension, divided into two groups: one group received acupuncture on the Taichong (LR3) point, while the other group received treatment on a “sham” point for comparison.
The results were promising! The group treated with Taichong (LR3) showed a significant drop in blood pressure immediately after the session and continued improvement after 30 minutes. On the other hand, the sham group did not experience any meaningful changes.1
This suggests that Taichong (LR3) acupuncture could be a helpful addition to regular hypertension treatments, but the authors noted that more research is needed to confirm the best ways to use it effectively.
References
- Maheshkumar K, Deenadayalan B, Akila A, Venugopal V, Poonguzhali S. Effectiveness of Taichong (LR3) acupuncture point on blood pressure in patients with hypertension: A randomized sham control trial. Adv Integr Med. 2021;8(1):58-62. doi:10.1016/j.aimed.2020.05.002. ↩︎
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