Stomach
足阳明胃经及其主要穴位
I. General distribution of Stomach
1. From the head to the foot.
2. Runs over the face, forehead, front of the trunk, and the anterior aspect of the lateral side of the lower limb.
3. Connects with the stomach, spleen, nose, eyes, mouth, teeth (especially the upper teeth), face, and breasts. In addition its divergent meridian connects with the heart.
4. Meets the Large Intestine Meridian of Hand Yangming at the lateral side of the ala nasi and the Spleen Meridian of Foot Taiyin at the medial side of the tip of the big toe.
II. Main Indications
1. Diseases of the Stomach, Spleen and Intestines.
2. Disorders along its external course, including toothache, facial pain or paralysis or spasm, swelling and pain of the breasts, inguinal hernia, pain or weakness or motor impairment of the lower limb.
3. Mental disorders, such as manic or depressive mental activity.
III. Main Acupoints of Stomach
Location: On the face, the point is directly below the pupil of the eye, between the eyeball and the infraorbital ridge.
Classification: Crossing point of the Stomach, Yangqiao and Ren Meridians
Indications:
1. Redness, swelling and pain of the eye
2. Lacrimation, night blindness
3. Twitching of the eyelids, wry face
Functions: Dispels Wind, benefits the eyes, clears Heat, stop lacrimation.
Needling: Push the eyeball upward slightly with the left thumb and puncture perpendicularly and slowly 0.5 - 1.0 cun along the infraorbital ridge. It is not advisable to manipulate the needle with large amplitude, to avoid injuring the blood vessels resulting in hematoma. No moxa.
Location: On the face, the point is directly below the pupil of the eye, in thdepression at the infraorbital foramen.
Indications:
1. Myopia, corneal opacity, redness, itching and pain of the eye
2. Twitching of the eyelids, wry face
3. Pain in the face
Functions:Dispels Wind, benefits the eyes, clears Heat.
Needling: When treating myopia, subcutaneous insertion towards the medial corner of the eye, or perpendicular insertion 0.2 - 0.3 cun. No moxa.
ST4 Dìcāng 地仓 (Earth Granary)
Location: On the face, lateral to the corner of the mouth, directly below the pupil of the eye.
Classification: Crossing point of the Stomach, Large Intestine Meridians and the Yangqiao Meridian
Indications:
1. Wry mouth (crooked jaw), salivation
2. Twitching of the eyelids, twitching of the corner of the mouth (Bell's palsy, trigeminal neuralgia)
Functions:Dispels Wind, relieves pain, activates the meridian.
Needling:Oblique or subcutaneous insertion 0.5 - 0.8 cun; or puncture towards ST 6.
ST6 Jíachē 颊车 (Jaw Bone)
Location: On the cheek, in the depression one finger-breadth (middle finger) anterior and superior to the lower angle of the mandible where m. masseter attaches, at the prominence of the muscle when the teeth are clenched.
Indications:
1. Swelling of the cheek, wry mouth (crooked jaw)
2. Toothache in the lower jaw
3. Acute trismus, difficulty in opening the mouth. Great TMJ point
Functions:Dispels Wind, clears obstructions in the meridian, relives pain, benefits the jaw and teeth.
Needling:Perpendicular insertion 0.3 - 0.5 cun or subcutaneous insertion 0.5 - 1.0 cun. Or insert towards ST 4.
ST7 Xìaguān 下关 (Below the Joint)
Location: On the face, anterior to the ear, in the depression between the zygomatic arch and the condyloid process of the mandible.
Classification: Crossing point of the Stomach and Gall Bladder Meridians.
Indications:
1. Deafness, tinnitus
2. Toothache
3. Nasal congestion
4. Wry face, difficulty in opening the mouth, pain in the face - TMJ, trigeminal neuralgia
Functions:Clears obstructions in the meridian, benefits the ears, jaw and teeth.
Needling:Perpendicular insertion 0.5 - 1.0 cun.
ST8 Tóuweí 头维 (Head Support)
Location: On both sides of the scalp, .5 cun above the hairline at the corner of the forehead, 4.5 cun lateral from the midline of the head.
Classification: Crossing point of the Stomach and Gall Bladder Meridians and the Yangwei Meridian.
Indications:
1. Headache, dizziness and blurring vision
2. Ophthalmalgia, lacrimation, twitching of the eyelids
Functions:Dispels Wind, benefits the eyes, relieves pain.
Needling:Subcutaneous insertion 0.5 - 1.0 cun. No moxa.
ST12 Quēpén 缺盆 (Broken Basin)
Location: In the midpoint of the supraclavicular fossa, 4 cun lateral to the anterior midline.
Indications:
1. Cough, asthma, sore throat
2. Pain in the supraclavicular fossa, scrofula
Functions:Descends Lung Qi, activates the meridian.
Needling:Perpendicular or oblique insertion 0.3 - 0.5 cun. Supplement to the Classic Fig. of Acupuncture and Moxibustion says: "Needling is contraindicated in pregnancy." Under the points from ST 11 to ST 18, there are important organs and a main artery. Do not puncture these points deeply.
ST17 Rŭzhōng 乳中 (Breast Center)
Location: On the chest, in the 4th intercostal space, 4 cun lateral to the anterior median line, in the center of the nipple.
Needling: Acupuncture and moxibustion on this point are contraindicated. This point serves only as a landmark for locating points on the chest and abdomen.
ST18 Rŭgēn 乳根 (Breast Root)
Location: On the chest, directly below the nipple, at the base of the breast, in the 5th intercostal space, 4 cun lateral to the anterior median line.
Indications:
1. Acute mastitis, insufficient lactation
2. Chest pain, cough and asthma
Functions:Benefits the breasts, frees the chest, alleviates cough and wheezing.
Needling:Oblique or subcutaneous insertion 0.5 - 0.8 cun. Under the points from ST 11 to ST 18, there are important organs and a main artery. Do not puncture these points deeply.
ST21 Liángmén 梁门 (Beam Gate)
Location: On the upper abdomen, 4 cun above the center of the umbilicus, 2 cun lateral to the anterior median line.
Indications:
1. Gastric pain, vomiting
2. Poor appetite, abdominal distention, diarrhea
Functions:Harmonizes the Middle Jiao, harmonizes and descends rebellious Qi, stops diarrhea.
Needling:Perpendicular insertion 0.8 - 1.2 cun.
ST25 Tiānshū 天枢 (Celestial Pivot)
Location: On the middle of the abdomen, 2 cun lateral to the umbilicus.
Classification: Front-Mu point of the Large Intestine Meridian
Indications:
1. Abdominal distention, borborygmus, pain around the umbilicus, constipation, diarrhea, dysentery
2. Irregular menstruation, mass and gathering in the abdomen, amenorrhea
Functions:Regulates the Spleen, Stomach, and intestines, dispels Dampness and Damp-Heat, regulates Qi and Blood.
Notes: Front-Mu points can be used to treat diseases of the affected Zang-Fu organ, and those of Yang meridians and collaterals. They treat diseases of Six Fu-organs and diseases of yang meridians. An adverse reaction when a Front-Mu point is pressed can help make a diagnosis.
Needling:Perpendicular insertion 1.0 - 1.5 cun. Do not moxa during pregnancy, according to the Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold.
ST29 Guīlaí 归来 (Return)
Location: On the lower abdomen, 4 cun below the center of the umbilicus, 2 cun lateral to the anterior median line.
Indications:
1. Prolapse of uterus
2. Irregular menstruation, amenorrhea, leukorrhea
3. Hernia, abdominal pain
Functions:Regulates menstruation, removes Blood stagnation in Lower Jiao.
Needling:Perpendicular insertion 1.0 - 1.5 cun.
ST34 Liāngqīu 梁丘 (Beam Mound)
Location: When the knee is flexed, on the anterior aspect of the thigh, on the line connecting the anterior superior iliac spine and the lower lateral border of the patella, 2 cun above the patella.
Classification: Xi-Cleft point of the Stomach Meridian
Indications:
1. Acute gastric pain, acute mastitis
2. Swelling and pain of the knee joint
3. Paralysis or weakness of the lower extremities
Functions:Harmonizes the Stomach and subdues rebellious Qi, activates the meridian, stops pain, relieves acute conditions.
Notes: A Xi-Cleftpoint is the site where the Qi of the meridian is deeply converged. Qi and blood are stored deeply at these particular points. If there appear abnormal reactions at X-Cleft points, it shows that the pathogens have entered the deeper parts of Zang-Fu organs. Thus, they are used for acute, painful symptoms, inflammation, protracted diseases of its pertaining meridian and Zang-Fu organ. Also, Xi-Cleft points of the Yin meridians have hemostatic functions.
Needling:Perpendicular insertion 0.5 - 1.0 cun.
ST35 Dúbí 犊鼻 (Calf's Nose)
Location: When the knee is flexed, the point is at the knee, below the patella, in the depression lateral to the patella ligament.
Indications:
1. Insufficient lactation
2. Swelling and pain of the knee joint
3. Limitation of the knee
Functions:Activates the meridian, stops pain, dispels Wind-Damp, reduces swelling.
Needling:Oblique insertion toward the medial back 0.5 - 1.0 cun.
ST36 Zúsanlĭ 足三里 (Foot Three Li)
Location: On the anterior aspect of the lower leg, 3 cun below ST 35, one finger-breadth (middle finger) from the anterior crest of the tibia.
Classification: He-Sea point of the Stomach Meridian
Command point of the Abdomen
Point of the Sea of Water and Grain
Command point of the Abdomen
Point of the Sea of Water and Grain
Indications:
1. Gastric pain, vomiting, dysphagia, abdominal distention, borborygmus, diarrhea, indigestion, dysentery, constipation, abdominal pain, acute mastitis
2. Emaciation due to general deficiency, palpitation, shortness of breath, poor appetite, lassitude, dizziness, insomnia
3. Cough and asthma
4. Pain in the knee joint, apoplexy, hemiplegia, beriberi, edema
5. Depressive psychosis and madness
Functions:Tonifies Qi and Blood, harmonizes and strengthens the Spleen and Stomach, strengthens the body and Wei qi, raises Yang, calms the Shen, activates the meridian, stops pain.
Notes: ST 36 is known as one of the most important points to tonify Qi and Blood and promote general wellness. He-Sea points are where the qi of the meridian collects and goes deep into the body. He-sea points are known to indicated treat rebellious qi and diarrhea.
Needling:Perpendicular insertion 1.0 - 2.0 cun.
ST37 Shàngjǜxǖ 上巨虚 (Great Upper Hollow)
Location: On the anterior aspect of the lower leg, 6 cun below ST 35, one finger-breadth (middle finger) from the anterior crest of the tibia.
Classification: Lower He-Sea point of the Large Intestine Meridian
Point of the Sea of Blood
Point of the Sea of Blood
Indications:
1. Acute appendicitis, abdominal pain, borborygmus, constipation, diarrhea
2. Muscular atrophy, weakness, numbness and pain of the lower extremities, beriberi
Functions:Regulates the intestines and the Stomach and Spleen, resolves Damp-Heat (alleviates dysentery and diarrhea), relieves pain.
Needling:Perpendicular insertion 1.0 - 1.5 cun.
ST38 Tiáokŏu 条口 (Narrow Opening)
Location: On the anterior aspect of the lower leg, 8 cun below ST 35, one finger-breadth (middle finger) from the anterior crest of the tibia.
Indications:
1. Coldness, pain, and weakness of the shoulder
2. Muscular atrophy, weakness, numbness and pain of the lower extremities, swelling of the foot, spasm
Functions:Activates the meridians, removes meridian obstructions, relieves pain.
Needling:Perpendicular insertion 1.0 - 1.5 cun.
ST39 Xìajǜxǖ 下巨虚 (Lower Great Hollow)
Location: On the anterior aspect of the lower leg, 9 cun below ST 35, one finger-breadth (middle finger) from the anterior crest of the tibia.
Classification: Lower He-Sea point of the Small Intestine Meridian
Sea of Blood point
Sea of Blood point
Indications:
1. Lower abdominal pain, pain in the lower back referring to pain in the testicles
2. Diarrhea, dysentery
3. Muscular atrophy, weakness, numbness and pain of the lower extremities
Functions:Regulates Small Intestine Qi, resolves Damp-Heat, activates the meridians, removes meridian obstructions, resolves stagnation, relieves pain.
Needling:Perpendicular insertion 1.0 - 1.5 cun.
ST40 Fēnglóng 丰隆 (Abundant Bulge)
Location: On the anterior aspect of the lower leg, 8 cun superior to the external malleolus, lateral to ST 38, two finger-breadth (middle finger) from the anterior crest of the tibia.
Classification: Luo-Connecting point of the Stomach Meridian
Indications:
1. Cough, excessive phlegm, asthma
2. Manic psychosis, epilepsy
3. Headache, dizziness, vertigo
4. Paralysis or weakness of the lower extremities
5. Heaviness of the body
Functions:Transforms phlegm and dampness, stops cough and wheezing, calms the shen and clears phlegm from the Heart, activates the meridian and stops pain.
Needling:Perpendicular insertion 1.0 - 1.5 cun.
ST41 Jĭexī 解溪 (Stream Divide)
Location: At the junction of the dorsum of the foot and the lower leg. in the depression at the midpoint of the transverse crease of the ankle between the tendons m. extensor hallucis longus and digitorum longus.
Classification: Jing-River point of the Stomach Meridian
Indications:
1. Pain of the ankle joint, weakness and muscular atrophy, numbness and pain of the lower extremities
2. Headache, dizziness, manic psychosis
3. Abdominal distention, constipation
Functions:Clears Heat from the Stomach and meridian, calms the Shen, activates the meridian, removes obstructions, and stops pain.
Notes: Jing-River points are where the qi of the meridian begins
ST42 Chōngyáng 冲阳 (Rushing Yang)
Location: At the highest point of the dorsum of the foot, between the tendons m. extensor hallucis longus and digitorum longus, where the dorsal artery of the foot pulsates.
Classification: Yuan-Source point of the Stomach Meridian
Indications:
1. Gastric pain, abdominal distention
2. Swelling and pain of the dorsum of the foot
3. Swelling of the face, toothache, deviation of the mouth and eye
Functions:Clears Heat from the Stomach meridian, harmonizes the Stomach, calms the Shen, activates the meridian, and stops pain.
Notes: Clinically, Yuan-Source points are of great significance in treating diseases of the internal organs. Yuan-Source points are the sites where the Yuan (Primary) qi of the Zang-Fu organs passes and stays. Puncturing the Yuan-Source points stimulates the vital energy of the regular meridians, regulates the functional activities of the internal organs, reinforces antipathogenic factors and eliminates pathogenic factors. This method of treating diseases deals principally with the root causes. The Yuan (source) point from the affected meridian is often combined with the Luo (Connecting) point of the internally-externally related meridians in use.
Needling:Perpendicular insertion 0.2 - 0.5 cun.
ST43 Xiàngŭ 陷谷 (Sunken Valley)
Location: On the dorsum of the foot, in the depression distal to the junction of the second and third metatarsal bones.
Classification: Shu-Stream point of the Stomach Meridian
Indications:
1. Myasthenia of the upper eyelid and difficulty opening the eyes
2. Facial and general edema, swelling and pain of the dorsum of the foot
3. Hiccups
Functions:Regulates the Stomach, Spleen and intestines, resoles dampness (for edema).
Notes: Shu-Stream points are where the qi starts to pour down the meridian. They are known to alleviate heaviness and pain in the joints. On Yin Meridians, Shu-Stream points are identical to the actions of Yuan-Source points.
Needling:Perpendicular or oblique insertion 0.5 - 1.0 cun.
ST44 Neìtíng 内庭 (Inner Courtyard)
Location: On the dorsum of the foot, proximal to the web margin between the second and third metatarsal toes, at the junction of the red and white skin.
Classification: Ying-Spring point of the Stomach Meridian
Indications:
1. Toothache in the upper jaw, sore throat, wry mouth, epistaxis
2. Abdominal distention, constipation, gastric pain
3. Swelling and pain of the dorsum of the foot
Functions:Clears Heat from the Stomach meridian, resolves Damp-Heat in the intestines, relieves pain.
Notes: Ying-Spring points are where the qi dribbles down the meridian. Ying-Spring points are indicated for heat in the body and changes in the complexion. Ying-Spring points are known to clear heat from the meridian.
Needling:Perpendicular or oblique insertion 0.5 - 0.8 cun.
ST45 Lìduì 厉兑 (Sick Mouth)
Location: On the foot, on the lateral side of the end of the second toe, 0.1 cun from the corner of the nail.
Classification: Jing-Well point of the Stomach Meridian
Indications:
1. Swelling of the face, toothache, sore throat, epistaxis
2. Nightmare, manic psychosis
Functions:Clears Heat from the Stomach meridian, calms the mind, revives consciousness.
Notes: Jing-Well points are where the qi bubbles up. Jing-Well points are indicated to revive consciousness. Jing-Well points are known to treat fullness below the Heart and clear Heat.
Needling:Subcutaneous insertion 0.1 cun. Or prick to cause bleeding.
