LU5 (Chize / Cubit Marsh) Acupuncture Point Guide
Practitioner Guide from The Acupuncture Supply Co.
Professional acupuncture supplies and clinical reference material for qualified practitioners.
LU5 Chize brings the Lung channel to the front of the elbow. Its useful identifying feature is its relationship to the biceps tendon: finding the elbow crease alone is not enough. This guide sets out the landmarks, its place in traditional practice and the local anatomy that matters when assessing this region.
Practitioner only. This is an educational reference, not a self-needling guide.
LU5 Chize quick reference
| Point name | LU5 — Chize (Cubit Marsh) |
|---|---|
| Channel | Lung channel of Hand Taiyin |
| Classification | He-Sea and Water point |
| Region | Anterior elbow |
| Laterality | Bilateral |
| Core landmark | Elbow crease, in the hollow immediately on the thumb side of the biceps brachii tendon. |
Location of LU5 Chize
Support the arm with the palm facing upwards and the elbow gently bent. At the front elbow crease, identify the biceps brachii tendon. LU5 lies in the adjacent depression on its radial, or thumb, side. The tendon separates this location from PC3 on the other side.
Landmark checks
- Establish which side of the forearm is radial before using the illustration.
- Palpate the biceps tendon; a visible vein or skin line is not a substitute landmark.
- Distinguish the point from LI11 further towards the lateral end of the elbow crease.
Traditional functions of LU5
- Traditionally clears Lung Heat and helps Lung Qi descend.
- Used in channel theory to ease restriction around the elbow and arm.
- Associated with regulation of the water passages in traditional terminology.
These terms belong to traditional acupuncture theory. They should be distinguished from evidence about clinical outcomes.
Traditional clinical applications
Traditional discussions of LU5 include cough, chest fullness and throat symptoms in a relevant Lung pattern, alongside local elbow discomfort. These are historical and theoretical associations. They do not establish that needling this single point treats asthma, infection or another diagnosed respiratory disease.
Common point combinations
- LU5 + LU7: a Lung-channel pairing considered when the treatment strategy concerns the dispersing and descending of Lung Qi.
- LU5 + LI11: a regional pairing considered for elbow restriction or a traditionally defined Heat presentation.
These are traditional treatment-planning examples, not fixed prescriptions. Assess each point separately and select a combination only when it fits the full presentation and your training.
Anatomy and practitioner notes
The cubital region contains superficial veins, cutaneous nerves and deeper neurovascular structures. Their position varies between patients. An apparently clear skin surface does not establish a safe insertion path. Scar tissue, a previous blood draw, tendon injury or elbow surgery may change the local assessment.
Needling and essential safety
Keep the supported arm still and assess visible vessels, skin condition and sensation. Do not use forceful manipulation to pursue an expected sensation. Unexpected sharp or electrical pain requires stopping and reassessment. New breathlessness, chest pain or coughing blood calls for medical assessment; severe symptoms require emergency care rather than acupuncture.
Technique must follow individual anatomy and accredited training. Use sterile, single-use needles and suitable infection-control measures. Review health history, medicines, skin condition and consent before treatment.
Frequently asked questions
Is LU5 on the tendon itself?
The location is the depression next to the biceps tendon on its radial side. The tendon is the landmark, not the target.
Are LU5 and LU7 the same point?
No. LU5 is at the elbow; LU7 is further down the forearm near the wrist. They have separate locations and classifications.
Is this a guide to self-needling?
No. Needling requires appropriate professional training, anatomical assessment and a safe clinical setting.
Continue exploring Project Lotus
Read the LU7 guide and LU9 guide, or browse all Acupuncture Point Guides.
For clinic supplies, browse our professional acupuncture needles and the wider Practitioner Guides.
Professional reference: Written for qualified acupuncture practitioners. Traditional functions and pairing examples describe a clinical tradition; they are not claims of proven efficacy for an individual point. The guide does not replace accredited training, diagnosis, informed consent or a patient-specific treatment plan. Surface illustrations cannot determine safe needle depth or direction.
References and further reading: eLotus CORE: Chize (LU5); WHO Standard Acupuncture Point Locations, 2008; revised reprint 2009; NCCIH: Acupuncture — Effectiveness and Safety; NHS: Complementary therapies and safety. Accessed 18 September 2026.
