(189) LV1 (Large Pile)

[HB KIM]

Clinical indication of LV1 (Da Dun)

1. Brain
(a)  LV1 is an essential point for brain disorders, i.e. cerebral palsy, hydrocephalus.  You can apply LV1 and SP3 on the healthy side when treating brain disorders.  For Four Needle Technique, tonify LV1 and sedate SP3.
(b)   In addition, if a patient has numbness of the big toe, often, it can be an early sign of wind-stroke.  Moving the big toe frequently circulates blood in the brain.
(c)   This point can also be used for incessant children's convulsion. 

2. Aphasia
LV1 is an effective point for treating aphasia due to stroke or emotional shock.  Apply LV1 with strong stimulation for one minute or until the patient responds, "It's painful." 

3. Genital area
(a)  The LV channel goes to the genital area and is effective for treating premature ejaculation and impotence.  LV is Wood in the five elements and Jue-Yin Wood in six energies. LV1 is the Jing-well point for the springing-up of energy.  LV1 is also the wood point of the channel and wood energy is like a sprout in the spring.  This is why LV1 is good for impotence.  Apply moxa for this indication.
(b)  Some references correlate the size of a man's big toe with good sexual function.  Exercising the big toe affects the genital area, as well as, sexual function.
(c)  It can also be used for enuresis due to relaxed muscles in the genital area.  This is not a significant indication of LV1.
(d)  Moxa on LV1 treats Cold in the LV channel i.e. hernia.  Moxa on LV1 has an effect similar to the combination of Xiao Hui Xiang, Wu Zhu Yu, and Wu Yao.

4. Mental Clarity
(a)  LV1 clears the mind for mental clarity.  Moxa is especially effective for this action.  According to reflexology, the big toe correlates with the head region.  Similarly, according to one theory of Korean Hand Therapy, the big toe also corresponds with the head.  There are 3 types of KHT (Koryo, Dasari, and Onuri).  In Koryo and Dasari style, the head is located on the middle finger.  However, for Onuri style, the head is located on the thumb and big toe.  Koryo and Dasari only use the Hand whereas Onuri uses both the Hand and Foot.
(b) According to Korean Meridian Theory, LV1 is useful to athletes for a "better sense of direction."  The needling order is: HT9 - SI1 - GB41 - LV1 - SP1 - Yintang - DU20.  Following this treatment, the athlete (i.e. golf, basketball, baseball, etc) can improve their aim and direction.  HT9 and SI1 are little fingers, Jing-wells.  GB41 is the master point for the Dai-mai and has a binding effect.  LV1 and SP1 are big toes and Jing-wells.  DU20 centers and balances the body.