LI4 Hegu Dog Acupuncture Point
Hé Gǔ 合谷Professional veterinary acupuncture overview of LI4 Hegu in dogs, including anatomical location, analgesic support applications, facial and head support, and safety notes.
| Chinese Name | 合谷 |
| Pinyin | Hé Gǔ |
| Meridian | Large Intestine Meridian (LI) |
| Anatomical Location | Between the 1st and 2nd metacarpals; veterinary note: radial midpoint of the 2nd metacarpal. |
| Main Indications | Pain (any location), fever, constipation, facial disorders, headache, sinus congestion, dental pain. |
| Classical Function | ⭐ Yuan-Source; One of Four Command Points; Key analgesic point. |
| Meridian Color | Large Intestine Meridian | Metal | White |
Clinical Overview
In veterinary acupuncture practice, LI4 is one of the most powerful analgesic points for dogs with pain anywhere in the body, especially in the head, face, neck, and sinuses.
TCVM practitioners often include LI4 in protocols aimed at expelling wind, clearing heat, regulating elimination, and supporting immune function.
Veterinary Disclaimer
This educational content is not intended to replace professional veterinary diagnosis or treatment. Acupuncture and electroacupuncture should only be performed by a licensed veterinarian or certified veterinary acupuncturist.
Pregnancy Caution
LI4 is a well-known point for inducing labor. Avoid stimulating it during pregnancy unless specifically directed by a qualified veterinarian for a late-term obstetric indication.
LI4 Canine Acupuncture Point Placeholder
Use this area for the canine LI4 map or your future TCVM illustration.
Pinpoint Location
Anatomical Landmark
Locate the web between the dewclaw (or where the dewclaw was) and the 2nd digit, then find the fleshy valley between the 1st and 2nd metacarpal bones. In dogs, this is commonly found on the medial side of the 2nd metacarpal, near its midpoint and radial border.
Primary Clinical Indications
- Pain (any location): A classic master point for analgesia, especially in the face and head.
- Fever: Frequently used to clear heat and expel wind-cold or wind-heat.
- Constipation: Often included in digestive and elimination protocols.
- Facial disorders: A key point for sinus, eye, ear, and dental patterns.
Recommended Point Pairings
In clinical veterinary acupuncture, LI4 is often paired with other head, face, and pain-support points depending on presentation.
Frequently paired with LIV3 bilaterally as the classic “Four Gates” for pain and stagnation.
Often combined with local face points, ST44, and LI clauses for facial and sinus support.
May be integrated into multimodal support strategies involving acupuncture, diet modification, and veterinary medical care.
Modern Veterinary Interpretation
From a modern veterinary rehabilitation perspective, LI4 is positioned in a sensitive forepaw area and is often used as a distal analgesic and immune-modulating point.
Integrative veterinarians may include this point within broader pain, fever, and facial-condition support plans involving acupuncture, electroacupuncture, and medical management.
Safety & Needling Notes
Professional Veterinary Use
Because LI4 lies in the fleshy web of the forepaw, needling depth and angle should only be handled by trained veterinary professionals. Gentle technique is essential in this sensitive area.
Gentle Acupressure Guidance
Pet owners exploring supportive acupressure should use only gentle pressure and discontinue immediately if pain, stress, or guarding occurs.
Editorial & Veterinary Review
This educational resource was prepared by the PetAcu editorial team using veterinary acupuncture references, TCVM educational materials, canine rehabilitation resources, and integrative veterinary literature.
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