A small but precise point on the inner groin, Jimai (LR-12) belongs to the Liver Meridian (LR) and works directly where it sits — calming pain in the groin and lower abdomen, and addressing urogenital disorders rooted in Cold or Qi Stagnation in the Liver channel.
Name & story
The name 急脉 Jimai is often translated as "Urgent Pulse" or "Hasty Vessel". 急 (jí) means urgent, hasty, tense — and 脉 (mài) means vessel or pulse. The name is beautifully descriptive: it speaks of the sudden, gripping, cramping pain that can seize the groin — a pain that is by nature urgent and sharp, like a cord pulled too tight. The point was named for what it relieves: that tense, urgent distress in the inner thigh and lower abdomen that demands immediate attention.
Point family & character
Jimai (LR-12) belongs to the Liver Meridian (LR). It is located on the channel where it travels through the groin region, and as such it is a locally important point for disorders along the Liver channel in the inguinal area.
Five-element dynamics
The Liver belongs to the Wood element — the element of movement, spreading and free flow. When the Liver's Qi stagnates or Cold invades its channel, that free flow is blocked, and the result is cramping, contracting, urgent pain — exactly what Jimai addresses. The groin is a crossroads of the Liver channel, and this point sits right at that crossroads, releasing what has become stuck or contracted there.
Location
Jimai (LR-12) is found in the inguinal region, 2.5 Cun lateral to the midline of the abdomen, at the level of the pubic symphysis, in the inguinal groove. It lies just lateral to the femoral artery — you can feel the arterial pulse nearby.
Anatomy & fascia
The point lies in the inguinal groove, near the femoral artery and vein. The femoral nerve and the great saphenous vein are in the vicinity.
Needling
The needle is inserted perpendicularly, avoiding the femoral artery. Care must be taken to locate the arterial pulse first and needle just lateral to it.
Moxa, cupping & Tui Na
Gentle warming with Moxa can be useful at this point, particularly when the presentation involves Cold in the Liver channel — Cold causes contraction and cramping, and warmth directly counters this. Careful massage along the inguinal groove may also help relieve local tension.
Functions
Warms the Liver channel and disperses Cold; Moves Qi Stagnation in the lower Jiao; Relieves pain in the groin and lower abdomen; Addresses hernial disorders; Benefits the genitals.
Indications
Pain in the groin and inner thigh; hernial disorders (shan qi) with pulling pain; retraction of the genitals; swelling and pain of the external genitalia; lower abdominal pain. Conditions where Cold has invaded the Liver channel, causing cramping and contraction in the inguinal region.
Point combinations
With LR-1 (Dadun) and LR-3 (Taichong) — to move Qi Stagnation and Cold in the Liver channel and relieve hernial pain and genital disorders. With ST-29 (Guilai) — for lower abdominal pain and disorders of the groin. With SP-6 (Sanyinjiao) — to support the treatment of urogenital conditions along the inner leg channel.
Clinical spotlight
Jimai (LR-12) is a point of precise, local action — it belongs to the small group of points on the Liver Meridian (LR) that target the groin and genital region directly. Its principal use in classical TCM is for hernial disorders (shan qi) — a category that includes various presentations of groin pain, dragging sensations and genital retraction caused by Cold and Qi Stagnation in the Liver channel. Because the femoral artery runs immediately adjacent, it is a point that rewards careful anatomical attention before needling.
The golden tip
Gentle self-massage or acupressure along the inguinal groove — just lateral to the femoral pulse — can help ease local tension and groin discomfort. Keeping the lower abdomen and groin warm (avoiding Cold) supports the Liver channel in this area. If you are unfamiliar with the anatomy of the groin, work with a trained practitioner rather than attempting direct needling yourself.
For education only — not medical advice. Consult a qualified practitioner.