"Lian" (廉) refers to ridge, angle, or side. The point is located on the radial edge of the forearm, just below Shanglian (LI9), hence the name. In order to distinguish it from foot Xialian (Xiajuxu (ST39)), Shengji Zonglu add "hand" as prefix.

bubble_chart Location

Xialian (LI8) acupoint
(quoted from "Meridians and Acupoints")

• Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing: "Under fibula and radius, one cun away from Shanglian (LI9)";
• Xunjing Kaoxue Bian: "Located in the outer oblique groove of the sharp muscle. Guan note: 4 cun from Quchi (LI11) when the elbow is bent; if taken directly, it measures 5 cun ."

bubble_chart Anatomy

• Muscles: radial extensor carpi longus and brevis muscles; the deep layer is the supinator muscle.
• Nerves: Dorsal cutaneous nerve of forearm, deep branch of radial nerve.
• Vessel: Branch of radial artery.

bubble_chart Manipulation

Perpendicular insertion 0.5~1 cun. Moxibustion with moxa cone 3 ~ 5 rounds, moxibustion with moxa stick 5 ~ 10 minutes.

bubble_chart Efficacy

Soothe yangming meridian heat.

• Classical: head wind headache, vertigo, eye pain, elbow and arm pain, pain around the navel, indigestion, speaking irrationally, abdominal mass, abdominal pain, panting, dry lips, salivation, hemiplegia, cold-Bi syndrome and lack of movement, fullness in the lower abdomen.
• Modern: Mastitis.

bubble_chart Combinations

• Head wind: Shenting (GV24), Wuchu (BL5), Xialian (LI8).
• Fullness in chest and ribs extending to abdomen: Shenshu (BL23), Xialian (LI8), Qiuxu (GB40), Xiaxi ( GB43).