Lung Meridian in Pets

The lung meridian is one of the bilateral 12 meridians for acupuncture. It starts in animals internally and reaches the skin surface medial of the humerus in the first intercostal space over the pectoralis muscles and just medial to the vena cephalica.

From there it runs first upwards. At LU 2 it turns and travels down to the front edge of the axilla. On the inside of the front limb it continues along the tendon of the biceps muscle, the inner aspect of the radius and carpal joint.

Here it continues to run downwards over the caudal area of the carpus to the fetlock (equine) or metacarpal joint (small animal). It ends on the inner side of the front limb, right in front of the inner collateral cartilage over the coronary band (equine) or the inner coronary border of the first digit of the front paw (small animal).

Illustration Ellenberger and Baum

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LU 1

Location

This point is located on the medial edge of the brachiocephalical muscle, medial to the tuberculum minor of the humerus in the first intercostal space.

Indication

It is used to treat cough,respiratory problems, bronchitis and asthma. But also for pain in the chest, shoulder and back.

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LU 2

Location

Equine: You can find it in the middle between the brachiocephalic muscle, sternocephalic muscle and cranial superior pectorals. It lies ventrolateral to the lnn. praescapulares and just under the cephalic vein.

Indication

Cough, pain in the shoulder, chest and forelimb.

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LU 5

Location

It is located in the cubital fossa of the front leg, lateral to the tendon of the biceps brachii and medial to the extensor carpi radialis. Just underneath LU 5 runs the musculocutaneous nerve.

Indication

Pain in the elbow joint, cough and pharyngitis. In small animals also for paralysis of lower parts of the forelimb.

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LU 6

Location

It is located on the inner side of the front leg, approximately 5/12 from the cubital fossa to the carpal joint, medial to the extensor carpi radialis muscle.

Indication

Pain and arthritis in the shoulder- and elbow joint, pain in the front leg, cough, pharyngolaryngitis. In equines also laminits and inflammation in the brachiocephalic muscle.

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LU 7

Location

On the inner front leg, over the radial styloid process and medial to the tendon of the extensor carpi radialis. About 1/6 from the carpal joint to the cubital fossa.

Indication

The 7th point on the lung meridian is the master point for the head and neck. It connects to the LI meridian (Large intestine) and is a confluent point with the CV (Conception Vessel).

Important for most respiratory problems, cough, asthma, tracheobronchitis, pharyngolaryngitis, facial paralysis, neck pain, stiff neck, cervical spondylosis, local point for problems in the carpal joint.

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LU 9

Location

Inner side of the carpal joint, cranial to the tendon of the flexor carpi radialis, distal to the styloid process of the radius.

Indication

This is a source point and influences blood vessels. It is a tonification point.

It is used in small animals to treat respiratory and vascular problems, painful conditions in the shoulder and elbow joint and to influence paralysis of the front leg.

In equines disorders of the lungs, pain in the shoulder joint and on the back, metacarpal arthritis, tendinitis, laminitis and periostitis are treated with stimulation of this point.

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LU 10

Location

Equine: On the inner area of the front leg, 6 cm distal to the carpus. At the crossing of the proximal and middle third of the third metacarpal bone, caudal to the medial splint bone, over the medial vena palmaris.

Indication

Arthritis and swelling of the carpus, tendinitis and myositis in the carpal area and inflammation of the periosteum of the third metacarpal bone.

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LU 11

Location

Equine: above the coronary band on the caudomedial side of the front leg, just in front of the medial collateral cartilage.

Small Animals: This lung meridian point is located on the medial border of the nail bed of the dewclaw of the front paw.

Indication

Equine: This point is used for immunostimulation, respiratory failure, pharyngitis, laminitis, painful pastern and side bone, epistaxis (nose bleeding) and inflammation in the bulbs of the hoof.

Acupuncture treatment of this point is very painful and can only be used in emergencies, respiratory failure, collapse, coma, epilepsy.

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