Lung 7 - Lie Que - Broken Sequence: An Acupuncture Point to Break Old Patterns, Release What Holds You Back, & Open to New Possibilities

Metal Element
Written by Lance Isakov

Have you ever noticed how easy it is to fall into a familiar pattern? We do things the same way. Think the same thoughts. Have the same conversations. Sometimes we even find ourselves reacting to life in exactly the same way, even when we know we'd like to do something differently.

It's funny how that happens, isn't it? We can get so comfortable with the familiar that we don't even realize we're repeating the same old sequence. And sometimes, what we really need is a little interruption. Something that breaks the pattern and lets us see things in a whole new way.

Which brings me to this beautiful acupuncture point!

Lung 7 - Lie Que. Broken Sequence.

I love that! There's something wonderfully liberating about the idea of breaking a sequence. It's like taking a different turn on a familiar path. Or opening a window in a room that's been closed up for too long. Suddenly, there's fresh air. New possibilities. A different perspective.

In Chinese medicine, the Lung is associated with the Metal Element and the beautiful art of letting go. Autumn is the season of Metal. We see it happening all around us. The trees release their leaves. The days grow shorter. Nature begins to turn inward, letting go of what it no longer needs so it can prepare for the next cycle of life.

And perhaps there's something for us to learn from this. Sometimes we need to let go of the old ways of doing things. Old stories about who we are. Old beliefs about what's possible. Even those familiar patterns that once served us but may no longer be helping us grow.

I think there's something especially interesting about Lung 7 because it is also the Luo-Connecting point of the Lung channel, connecting with its paired Large Intestine channel, and the opening point of the Ren Mai (Conception Vessel). The Ren Mai is associated with our Yin, our essence, and the deeper currents of life that nourish and sustain us.

So here we have a point whose name invites us to break the sequence, while its energetic relationships invite us to reconnect and restore flow.

I wonder... What might happen if we interrupted just one old pattern? What if instead of responding the way we always do, we paused for a moment and chose something different?

Maybe that's where a new chapter begins. Not necessarily with a big dramatic change, but with one little interruption in the familiar.

And sometimes, that's all it takes to open the door.

Lung 7 - Lie Que - Broken Sequence: An Acupuncture Point to Break Old Patterns, Release What Holds You Back, & Open to New Possibilities

Lie Que – Lung 7 列缺 "Broken Sequence"

Luo-Connecting Point & Opening Point of the Ren Mai

Indications

Physical Level

Releases the Exterior: Traditionally used to release Wind and support the body's defensive Qi, especially with the common symptoms of an exterior cold or flu pattern.

Opens the Lungs: Helps diffuse and regulate Lung Qi, traditionally used for coughing, wheezing, and breathing difficulties.

Benefits the Head and Neck: Commonly used for headaches, stiff neck, and discomfort along the back of the head and neck.

Opens the Ren Mai: As the opening point of the Conception Vessel, Lung 7 has an important role in regulating the Ren Mai and addressing certain reproductive and lower abdominal conditions.

Emotional / Mental Levels

Breaking Old Patterns: Helpful when we feel caught in repetitive thoughts, behaviors, or emotional responses that keep bringing us back to the same place.

Letting Go: Supports the process of releasing old grief, attachments, and stories that may be weighing us down.

Finding a New Perspective: Encourages us to step outside our familiar way of seeing things and become open to different possibilities.

Spirit Level

Opening the Way: I love the invitation of Broken Sequence. Sometimes we need to interrupt the familiar to discover something new. We can spend so much time following the same paths that we forget there are other ways forward. Lung 7 reminds us that we are not bound to repeat the past. We can release the old sequence, reconnect with our deeper essence, and allow a new story to unfold. Sometimes the greatest transformation begins with a single different choice.

Location

Lung 7 is located on the thumb side of the forearm, approximately 1.5 cun (1 cun -chinese anatomical inch- is about the width of your thumb) above the wrist crease, just above the bony prominence on the thumb side of the wrist (radial styloid).

An easy way to find it is to cross your hands, placing the index finger of one hand over the radial styloid of the opposite wrist. The point is located just above the tip of your index finger.

Note: There are alternative locations for this point depending on tradition. But this is the most accepted TCM location.

How to Stimulate

Using your thumb, gently press or massage the point for 30–60 seconds on each arm.

Take a few slow breaths.

As you hold the point, ask yourself:

"What old pattern am I ready to break?"

And perhaps...

"What might become possible if I chose a different way?"

You don't need to have an answer right away. Just sit with the question for a moment. Sometimes simply becoming aware of the sequence is the beginning of changing it.

Maybe today is a good day to take a different turn!

Feel Amazing!

Love,

Lance

P.S. Want more Spirit of the Acupuncture Points? Visit our Spirit of the Points collection.

More Acupuncture Points

Lance Isakov
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Spleen 2 — Great Gathering Place — An Acupuncture Point for Belonging, Nourishment & Coming Home