LU7 (Lieque) — Broken Sequence

At a Glance

Why LU7 Matters

LU7 is the Luo (connecting) point of the Lung meridian and one of the eight confluent points, opening to the Conception (Ren) meridian. Its position on the thumb side of the forearm, just above the wrist, makes it one of the easiest upper-limb points to reach for self-care — you can press it at a desk without removing a jacket or changing position. Because the Lung meridian is classically linked to the head, throat, and upper body, LU7 is a common first choice for headache that begins at the forehead and radiates toward the stiff, tense neck that accompanies it.

LU7 belongs to the same band of arm and wrist points used throughout the site for head and neck complaints, and it is a frequently recommended point for the early stages of a head cold. Applied gently while turning the head, it is also a practical point for people who hold tension in the neck after desk work, screen time, or long commutes. In traditional needle practice LU7 is classically paired with KI6 (Zhaohai), and in self-acupressure the same pairing is used as one of the classic point combinations for throat and neck complaints.

Location

LU7 sits on the radial (thumb) side of the forearm, 1.5 cun above the wrist crease — about the width of two fingers — in the small depression just above the radial styloid process, the bony bump at the outer edge of the wrist. The simplest way to find it: cross the thumb and index finger of both hands, like a handshake made with the forearms crossed, and the tip of your index finger will land on or very near the LU7 point.

Three quick confirmations you have the right spot: (1) it is the hollow on the thumb side of the forearm, not the center of the wrist; (2) pressing toward the bone produces a deep, dull ache that may travel toward the thumb; (3) the depression sits about two finger widths above the wrist crease, and the crossed-hands trick lands your index fingertip on it.

When to Use LU7 (and When Not)

Use the Hold off column as a safety filter: LU7 is a comfort practice for head-and-neck tension and cold symptoms, not first aid for an acute wrist injury or a sudden severe headache.

Benefits & Uses

• Headache with neck stiffness: LU7 is the traditional point for frontal headache that radiates into a tense neck — the classic "headache connected to the neck" pattern.
• Cough: It is used for a dry, irritating cough and for tightness in the chest during the early stages of a cold.
• Sore throat: LU7 helps soothe throat irritation and hoarseness, especially when combined with warmth and fluids.
• Nasal congestion: It supports the upper respiratory defenses and is commonly pressed for stuffy or running noses.
• Stiff neck: Pressed gently while rotating the head, LU7 helps loosen a stiff neck after poor sleep or long periods at a desk.

How to Massage LU7

Lay the forearm palm-down on a support, press with the opposite thumb toward the bone, and gently rotate the head and neck while holding — this combination is what makes LU7 useful for the headache-with-stiff-neck pattern.

1. Rest your forearm on a flat surface with your palm facing down to relax the wrist.
2. Place the pad of your opposite thumb in the depression just above the wrist, on the thumb side, against the radial styloid process.
3. Press firmly toward the bone until you feel a deep, dull ache that stops short of sharp pain.
4. Hold for 30–60 seconds while slowly turning your head from side to side and nodding gently.
5. Repeat on both arms, using it at the earliest sign of a frontal headache or head cold.

Common mistake to avoid: pressing the center of the wrist instead of the thumb-side depression, or pressing so hard that you feel a sharp pinch toward the thumb. The target sensation is a deep, dull, spreading ache — ease off if it turns sharp or travels into the hand.

Combine LU7 with These Points

A full head-and-neck routine is more effective than pressing one point. Pick the row closest to your situation and work the points in the order shown, 30–60 seconds each.

LU7 sits on the arm and wrist acupressure points body guide. For a fuller program, pair it with the head acupressure points body guide and our acupressure for headache page.

What to Expect

Science & Research

Systematic reviews and randomized controlled trials have examined acupressure for headache and pain conditions, with results that are generally promising but limited in quality. Manual stimulation of classic upper-limb points is commonly included in self-care protocols for head and neck tension, and several trials report meaningful reductions in headache intensity and frequency compared with no treatment, even though the overall methodological quality of the evidence is mixed. You can read a fuller assessment of what this evidence does and does not show on our does acupressure work? page.

Point-specific research isolating LU7 on its own is scarce — the strongest findings come from broader studies of acupressure for tension-type headache and migraine. In traditional practice LU7 carries the specific classical indication of headache that connects to a stiff neck, and it is usually trained together with points on the neck and hands. Like most acupressure research, the results should be read as supportive and promising rather than definitive, and they do not replace medical treatment for persistent or severe symptoms.

Precautions

• Avoid pressing if you have a recent wrist fracture, sprain, surgery, or a cast on that arm.
• Do not apply pressure over broken skin, a rash, a wart, or a bruise on the depression.
• Stop if pressure causes shooting pain, numbness, or tingling that radiates into the thumb or hand.
• Keep pressure light if you have carpal tunnel syndrome or nerve symptoms in the wrist, and stop if symptoms worsen.

Red Flags — See a Professional

Frequently Asked Questions