LV 3 — Tài Chōng (太冲) — Great Rushing

LV 3 (Liver 3; Taichong, “Great Rushing”) is the Yuan-Source and Shu-Stream point of the Liver meridian and the most important point in acupuncture for moving Liver Qi. Located on the top of the foot in the depression between the first and second metatarsals, it relieves the stress, irritability, headache, PMS, dysmenorrhoea and hypertension of Liver Qi stagnation and Liver Yang rising. Combined with LI 4 it forms the classical “Four Gates”.

On this page

1. Overview
2. Location
3. Actions
4. Indications
5. Needling
6. Clinical notes
7. Common point combinations
8. Treatment at my clinic
9. Frequently asked questions about LV 3

1. About LV 3 (Tai Chong)

LV 3 — Tài Chōng (太冲) — is an acupuncture point on the Liver meridian. Its English name, Great Rushing, reflects its powerful Qi-moving effect — the “rushing” release of stagnated Liver Qi. It is the Yuan-Source and Shu-Stream point of the Liver channel and the single most important point in acupuncture practice for spreading Liver Qi, calming Liver Yang and regulating menstruation.

I am Dr (TCM) Attilio D’Alberto, a member of the British Acupuncture Council with over 25 years of clinical experience. I use LV 3 as part of individually tailored acupuncture prescriptions at my clinic in Wokingham, Berkshire.

2. LV 3 location

On the dorsum of the foot, in the depression distal to the junction of the 1st and 2nd metatarsal bones. To find it: slide a finger up between the big toe and the second toe along the top of the foot until it falls into the soft depression just before the two metatarsal bones meet. The point is usually palpably tender in patients with Liver Qi stagnation.

3. Actions

1. Spreads Liver Qi and relieves constraint — the most important Liver Qi-moving point
2. Calms the Liver and descends Liver Yang
3. Nourishes Liver Blood and Yin
4. Subdues Liver Wind
5. Clears Liver Fire and Damp-Heat
6. Regulates menstruation

4. Indications

1. Stress, irritability, anger and emotional constraint from Liver Qi stagnation
2. Headache, dizziness and hypertension from Liver Yang rising
3. Irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhoea and PMS from Liver Qi stagnation
4. Insomnia from Liver Yang disturbing the Mind
5. Rib and flank pain from Liver Qi constraint
6. Eye disorders — red eyes, blurred vision and dry eyes from Liver deficiency
7. Epilepsy and tremor from internal Wind
8. Foot pain and plantar fasciitis

5. Needling

Perpendicular insertion 0.5–1.0 cun. Strong De Qi often achieved; the sensation may radiate up the leg. The point is often noticeably tender in patients with Liver Qi stagnation, particularly in the run-up to menses.

Important: Acupuncture should only be performed by a fully qualified practitioner. Never attempt self-needling. All needles I use are sterile, single-use and disposed of immediately after treatment in a clinical sharps container.

6. Clinical notes

LV 3 is the Yuan-Source and Shu-Stream point of the Liver meridian and the most important Liver Qi-regulating point in acupuncture. Together with LI 4 (Hegu) it forms the classical “Four Gates” combination — one of the most powerful Qi-regulating combinations on the body, used for stress, pain, emotional constraint and general meridian regulation.

LV 3’s clinical reach is unusually broad because the Liver in TCM governs the smooth flow of Qi throughout the body and stores Blood. When that flow becomes constrained — by stress, frustration, hormonal cycles, mid-life transitions — the Liver Qi stagnates and produces a constellation of complaints: pre-menstrual irritability, mid-cycle breast tenderness, tension headaches, sighing, the “plum stone” feeling in the throat, IBS with cramping. LV 3 addresses the underlying Liver dysregulation that connects all of these.

7. Common point combinations

1. LV 3 + LI 4 (Hegu) — the classical “Four Gates” combination, regulates Qi throughout the body. Used for stress, emotional constraint, pain anywhere, headache and general meridian harmonisation.
2. LV 3 + GB 34 (Yanglingquan) — the standard pair for Liver Qi stagnation with rib and flank pain, gallbladder problems, and chronic stress with muscular tension.
3. LV 3 + GB 20 (Fengchi) — the Liver Yang-descending combination for tension headache, migraine and hypertension with Liver Yang rising.
4. LV 3 + SP 6 (Sanyinjiao) — regulates menstruation, particularly for irregular cycles, PMS, dysmenorrhoea and Liver Blood deficiency in women.
5. LV 3 + PC 6 (Neiguan) — addresses emotional constraint with chest oppression, sighing, palpitations and anxiety.
6. LV 3 + ST 36 (Zusanli) — the Liver-Spleen pair, treats Liver overacting on Spleen presentations such as IBS, bloating with stress and stress-driven digestive complaints.

8. Treatment at my clinic

I use LV 3 as part of tailored acupuncture prescriptions for conditions including stress, anxiety, headaches, migraines, PMS and irregular menstruation, irritable bowel syndrome, and hypertension. Each treatment is individually designed following a full TCM assessment.

I see patients in person at my clinic in Wokingham, Berkshire. Visit the prices page for consultation fees. Return to the acupuncture points directory or the acupuncture main page.

9. Frequently asked questions about LV 3

What are the acupuncture points LV3 used for?

The acupuncture points LV3 (Taichong) are used primarily to move Liver Qi and relieve the stress, irritability, headaches, PMS, dysmenorrhoea and hypertension of Liver Qi stagnation and Liver Yang rising. LV 3 is the most important Qi-regulating point on the body and is included in most acupuncture treatments for stress-related complaints. Acupuncture points LV3 also nourish Liver Blood and Yin, supporting eye health and menstrual regularity.

Where do you press acupressure points LV3?

To find the acupressure points LV3: slide a finger up between the big toe and the second toe along the top of the foot until it falls into the soft depression just before the two foot bones meet. Apply firm pressure with your thumb for 1–3 minutes. Acupressure points LV3 are typically noticeably tender in patients with stress or in the run-up to menses.

Can LV 3 help with stress?

Yes — LV 3 is the single most important acupuncture point for stress. By moving stagnated Liver Qi it relieves the irritability, frustration, sighing, mid-chest tightness and pre-menstrual tension that build up under chronic stress. Most acupuncture treatments for stress include LV 3, often paired with LI 4 in the “Four Gates” combination.

Can LV 3 help with PMS and period pain?

Yes. LV 3 is one of the core points for PMS and dysmenorrhoea, particularly when the symptoms are dominated by irritability, breast tenderness, cramping and clotting — the textbook Liver Qi stagnation pattern. It is regularly combined with SP 6 (Sanyinjiao) to regulate the cycle and ease menstrual cramps.

Can LV 3 help with headaches?

Yes — LV 3 is one of the most-used points for tension headache and migraine, particularly those triggered by stress, hormones or hypertension. By descending Liver Yang it addresses the underlying mechanism of these headache types. Combined with GB 20 (Fengchi) for the best effect on migraine.

What does LV 3 mean in Chinese?

LV 3 is called Tài Chōng (太冲) in Chinese, which translates as “Great Rushing”. The name refers to the powerful Qi-releasing action of the point — the “rushing” movement of Liver Qi when constraint is released.

Is LV 3 safe during pregnancy?

LV 3 should be used with caution during pregnancy. It is not strictly contraindicated like SP 6 or LI 4, but its strong Qi-moving action means it is generally avoided in the first trimester and used only with care thereafter under qualified practitioner supervision.