LI-5 - Yang Stream

阳溪 - Yáng xī

Point Region: Wrist

LI

Large Intestine Meridian

手阳明大肠经 - Shǒu Yángmíng Dàcháng Jīng

Location & How to Find

Anatomical Location: At the back of the wrist on the thumb side, on the wrist crease, just beyond the bony knob of the radius, in the hollow of the anatomical snuffbox: the hollow between two thumb tendons (extensor pollicis longus and extensor pollicis brevis) that appears when the thumb is stretched fully out and up.

How to Locate:

  1. Stretch your thumb fully out and up
  2. A hollow appears between two tendons at the base of the thumb, on the back of the wrist
  3. The point is in that hollow, on the wrist crease
LI-5 (Yang Stream) acupressure point location: At the back of the wrist on the thumb side, on the wrist crease, just beyond the bony knob of the radius, in the hollow of the anatomical snuffbox: the hollow between two thumb tendons (extensor pollicis longus and extensor pollicis brevis) that appears when the thumb is stretched fully out and up.

How to Apply Pressure

With LI-5 identified, relax your thumb and use gentle fingertip contact; do not press hard into the wrist tendons. Avoid it after recent wrist surgery, a wrist fracture, or an acute wrist injury.

Traditional Indications

In TCM, this point is traditionally used for:

  • Wrist pain
  • Sore throat
  • Tinnitus
  • Red eyes
  • Wrist stiffness
  • Throat pain
  • Ear ringing
  • Eye inflammation

Related Health Concerns

Cold and Flu OnsetTinnitus (Ringing in the Ears)

Select a point to see its location, how to find it, and its traditional uses.

Important Precautions

Avoid this point with:

  • Recent wrist surgery
  • Severe wrist fracture
  • Acute wrist injury