The voice point of the throat. Lianquan (CV-23) opens the throat, loosens the tongue and restores the voice — when speech is lost, swallowing is difficult, or the tongue feels thick and unresponsive, this is the point to reach for.
Contraindications
The throat contains important blood vessels and nerves. Needling should always be performed by a trained practitioner who is careful about the direction and depth of insertion — never angled carelessly toward the trachea or major vessels of the neck.
Name & story
The name 廉泉 Lianquan means "Corner Spring" or "Ridge Spring" — a fresh spring bubbling up from a narrow place. Picture a cool, clear spring of water rising just at the base of the tongue, where the throat meets the chin. The throat and tongue need moisture and free flow to work: when fluids dry up or Phlegm blocks the passage, speech falters and swallowing becomes a struggle. This point, sitting right above the larynx, is like opening the spring again — letting the water flow freely, the voice rise clearly, and the tongue move with ease.
Point family & character
Lianquan (CV-23) belongs to the Conception Vessel (CV). It is the meeting point of the Conception Vessel with the Yin Linking Vessel (Yin Wei Mai), which gives it a broader reach across the Yin meridians of the body. Its position at the throat makes it the primary local point for all disorders of the tongue, throat and voice on the Conception Vessel pathway.
Five-element dynamics
The Conception Vessel is the great sea of Yin in the body, governing all Yin meridians and the nourishment of the tongue and throat. CV-23 sits precisely where the Yin Linking Vessel converges with the Conception Vessel — a meeting of waters, so to speak. When Yin fluids are insufficient, the throat dries and the voice weakens. When Phlegm accumulates and blocks the passage, the tongue stiffens and speech becomes slurred. Lianquan works at this crossing point to restore the free, moist flow that the throat and tongue need.
Location
Find the hollow just above the Adam's apple, on the midline of the throat. Move upward until you feel the upper edge of the hyoid bone and the soft depression between it and the chin — Lianquan sits right there, on the midline.
Anatomy & fascia
The point lies above the hyoid bone, in the depression between the hyoid bone and the lower border of the mandible, over the muscles of the floor of the mouth.
Needling
The needle is inserted obliquely, directed toward the root of the tongue. Alternatively, two needles may be angled to the left and right toward the base of the tongue rather than straight in.
The golden tip
The area around CV-23 is delicate, so deep pressure is not advised at home. However, gentle self-massage just below the chin — light circular strokes along the floor of the mouth toward the throat — can encourage circulation and ease mild throat tightness. Staying well hydrated, especially with warm fluids, supports the Yin of the throat. Humming or gentle vocal exercises can also help maintain tongue and throat mobility between treatments.
For education only — not medical advice. Consult a qualified practitioner.