Verscienta
ST43

Xiangu

Star

陷谷 (Xiàngǔ) — Sunken Valley

Stomach channel · point 43

Not yet clinically reviewed

Shu-Stream pointWood pointWood point of the Stomach channel

Traditionally used for

  • Colds & fever
  • Digestion
  • Urinary & fluids

Location

On the dorsum of the foot, between the second and third metatarsal bones, in the depression proximal to the second metatarsophalangeal joint.

How to locate: Slide a finger from the web between the second and third toes up the groove between the second and third metatarsals; the point is in the depression just proximal to the second metatarsophalangeal joint, roughly where the shafts of the bones meet their heads.

Distances are in cun, a proportional unit — how to measure.

Body map, front: ST43 · Foot
Fig. — ST43 · Foot After Albinus, 1747
Body map, front: ST43 · Foot

ST43 · Foot · Albinus, Tabulae sceleti et musculorum, 1747

Bones of the foot, dorsal — Gray's Anatomy plate
Bones of the foot, dorsal Gray's Anatomy, 1918
Bones of the foot, dorsal — Gray's Anatomy plate

Bones of the foot, dorsal · Gray's Anatomy, 1918

3D view

3D view not available for this point: its position can't be carried onto the 3D model reliably (it failed a placement check). The 2D maps above show it.

Needling

Cited needling

Techniques — the source gives these as alternatives:

  1. Perpendicular insertion
    Depth 0.5–1 cun
    skindeeper
  2. Oblique insertion
    Depth 0.5–1 cun
    skindeeper

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)
  1. Deadman P, Al-Khafaji M, Baker K. A Manual of Acupuncture. Hove: Journal of Chinese Medicine Publications; 1998 — p. 170 Supports: techniques (names this point)

Site notes · not cited

Depth: 0.3–0.5 cun
Angle: Perpendicular

Functions

  • Resolves dampness and reduces oedema
  • Regulates the Spleen, Stomach and intestines

Indications

Facial and general oedemaabdominal pain and borborygmusswelling and pain of the dorsum of the footfebrile disease without sweating

Balance Method partners

Under Dr. Tan's six systems, ST43 at the foot balances these channels at the regions its segment images.

Classical calendar method · 子午流注

When the tables open ST43

The hours Zi Wu Liu Zhu names this point at, by method. Times are the double-hour's start in UTC.

  • 戊寅 03:00–05:00 Na Jia Fa, 甲-day sequence · Shu-Stream (俞)

    「戊寅陷谷陽明俞」

    Next: Sun 18 Oct, 03:00

A classical reference, not a recommendation: the tables say when the method opens this point, not that it is the point to needle. Open points by the hour →

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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