Traditionally used for
- Nerves & recovery
- Pain & joints
Location
On the anterior thigh, in the depression bounded by the upper part of rectus femoris, sartorius (medially) and tensor fasciae latae (laterally) — where the line from the anterior superior iliac spine to the lateral end of the base of the patella crosses the level of the lower border of the pubic symphysis.
How to locate: With the hip and knee slightly flexed and the thigh slightly abducted or rotated outward against resistance, sartorius stands out running down from the anterior superior iliac spine. The point is in the hollow on its lateral side, where the line from the ASIS to the lateral end of the base of the patella crosses the level of the lower border of the pubic symphysis.
Distances are in cun, a proportional unit — how to measure.
3D view
3D view not available for this point: its position on the 3D model couldn't be checked against its location text, so it is not shown. The 2D maps above show it.
Needling
Cited needling
Techniques — the source gives these as alternatives:
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Perpendicular insertionDepth 1–2 cunskindeeper
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Oblique insertionDepth 1–2 cunskindeeper
Depths describe average adult habitus in the cited population, never a single safe number for the patient in front of you. Palpate and adjust.
Sources (1)
- Deadman P, Al-Khafaji M, Baker K. A Manual of Acupuncture. Hove: Journal of Chinese Medicine Publications; 1998 — p. 154 Supports: techniques (names this point)
Site notes · not cited
Functions
- Expels wind, cold and damp from the hip and thigh
- Activates the channel and benefits the joint
Indications
Balance Method partners
Under Dr. Tan's six systems, ST31 at the thigh balances these channels at the regions its segment images.
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1. Same Chinese nameLarge Intestine channelUpper arm · Mirror (arm ↔ leg)Forearm · Reversed mirrorLower abdomen, Sacrum · Image, head at the hand/footSolve for the Large Intestine channel →
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2. Branching (Bie Jing / Zang Fu Bie Tong)Pericardium channelUpper arm · Mirror (arm ↔ leg)Forearm · Reversed mirrorLower abdomen, Sacrum · Image, head at the hand/footSolve for the Pericardium channel →
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3. Interior–exterior pairSpleen channelThigh · Same segment, opposite sideLower abdomen, Sacrum · Image, head at the hand/footSolve for the Spleen channel →
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4. Chinese clock oppositePericardium channelUpper arm · Mirror (arm ↔ leg)Forearm · Reversed mirrorLower abdomen, Sacrum · Image, head at the hand/footSolve for the Pericardium channel →
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5. Chinese clock neighbourLarge Intestine channelUpper arm · Mirror (arm ↔ leg)Forearm · Reversed mirrorLower abdomen, Sacrum · Image, head at the hand/footSolve for the Large Intestine channel →
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6. Same channelStomach channelThigh · Same segment, opposite sideLower abdomen, Sacrum · Image, head at the hand/footSolve for the Stomach channel →
Sources
- World Health Organization. WHO Standard Acupuncture Point Locations in the Western Pacific Region. Manila: WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific, 2008. (Location.)
- Focks C, ed. Atlas of Acupuncture. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, 2008. (Locating method and actions.)
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