LR-14 - Gate of Hope
期门 - Qī mén
Point Region: Upper abdomen
LR-14 Qimen, meaning 'Cycle Gate' or 'Period Gate,' sits at a crucial juncture beneath the ribcage where the Liver's energy either flows freely into harmonious circulation or becomes trapped in stagnant pools of frustration and tension. As the Liver's Front-Mu point, this location serves as both a diagnostic window into the Liver's condition and a therapeutic doorway for restoring its essential functions.
The Liver, responsible for the smooth flow of Qi throughout the entire body, depends on this point to maintain its role as the body's chief emotional and energetic traffic controller. When Qimen is blocked or tender, it often signals that life's pressures have created internal gridlock—emotions backed up like cars in a traffic jam, creativity stifled by stress, and the natural rhythm of give-and-take disrupted by holding patterns of tension.
In the context of emotional well-being, LR-14 serves as a master reset button for those caught in cycles of irritability, resentment, or that feeling of being emotionally 'stuck.' By gently opening this gate, we can restore the Liver's natural capacity for flexibility and growth, allowing suppressed emotions to flow freely and creativity to emerge from previously blocked channels.
Location & How to Find
Anatomical Location: Located on the anterior thorax, below the nipple line, in the sixth intercostal space.
How to Locate:
- Find the level below your nipple
- Count to the 6th space between ribs
- Move outward from your breastbone toward your side
- The point is in this rib space on your chest/side area
Primary Functions
Liver & Gallbladder System
- Primary point for liver qi regulation
- Treats all liver qi stagnation patterns
- Harmonizes liver and stomach relationship
- Supports liver blood circulation
- Regulates bile production and flow
- Treats liver inflammation and heat
Digestive System
- Treats stomach pain and acid reflux
- Improves appetite and digestive function
- Addresses nausea and vomiting
- Treats gallbladder disorders
- Regulates digestive qi circulation
- Harmonizes liver-stomach coordination
Emotional & Mental
- Master point for emotional regulation
- Reduces anger, irritability, and frustration
- Calms anxiety and emotional stress
- Treats depression and mood disorders
- Promotes emotional stability and balance
Respiratory System
- Treats chest tightness and breathing difficulty
- Relieves intercostal pain and tension
- Improves lung expansion and capacity
- Addresses respiratory constraints
Musculoskeletal System
- Relieves chest and rib pain
- Treats intercostal neuralgia
- Improves chest wall flexibility
- Addresses thoracic tension
Circulatory System
- Improves blood circulation in chest area
- Regulates heart rhythm and function
- Treats circulatory stagnation
Reproductive System
- Treats breast disorders and pain
- Regulates hormonal balance
- Addresses reproductive health issues
Clinical Applications
Primary Indications
- Chest pain
- Rib fullness
- Acid reflux
- Irritability
- Side pain
- Digestive problems
- Emotional stress
- Anger
- Depression
Related Health Concerns
Common Conditions:
Related Acupoints
Select a point to learn about its location, primary functions, clinical applications, and protocols.
LR-14 Protocols
Chest Tension & Emotional Release (3 minutes)
- Sit upright with shoulders relaxed
- Locate LR-14 (on the chest, in the 6th intercostal space, directly below the nipple)
- Apply gentle pressure with fingertips for 30 seconds
- Massage in circular motions for 1 minute to release chest tightness and support emotional flow
- Repeat pressure while breathing deeply and softening the ribcage
Important Precautions
- Recent chest surgery
- Severe heart conditions
- Chest wall injuries