Atlas of Acupuncture

4 Acupuncture Points of the Twelve Primary Channels

4.3.3 The Stomach Sinew Channel

(zu yang ming jing jin)

there a branch runs to the head of the fibula where it meets the

G.B. sinew channel at ➞G.B.-34(yanglingquan).

➡From the patella the channel ascends along the anterior

aspect of the thigh, binds (jie) in the inguinal region, passes

➞Ren-2(qugu) and binds (jie) at ➞Ren-3(zhongji). It then

ascends across the abdominal and thoracic region and reaches

the supraclavicular fossa to bind (jie) at ST-12(quepen). It

then continues along the anterolateral aspect of the neck and

binds (jie) at the angle of the mandible.

At the angle of the mandible the channel divides into three

branches:

➡One branchterminates anterior to the ear.

➡A further branchascends to the zygomatic bone where it

meets the other Yang sinew channels at ➞S.I.-18(quanliao).

➡The third branchcircles the mouth, ascends to the upper

nose region, there connects with the Bladder sinew channel

and then spreads along the lower eyelid. The Bladder sinew

channel spreads along the upper eyelid, so that the two chan-

nels together form a network around the eyes.

Clinical importance

Pathology: Stiffness and aching of the toes, leg cramps (gastro-

cnemius and quadriceps muscles), stiffness and pain on the dor-

sum of the foot (at ST-41), swelling and tension in the inguinal

region, shan-disorders, cramping in the abdomen as well as in

the supraclavicular fossa and the face, facial paralysis, weakness

and paralysis of the superior rectus muscle.

Indication: Mainly used for bi-syndromes (painful obstruction

syndromes) along the Stomach channel. The area covered by the

Stomach sinew channel is larger than that covered by the Stomach

primary channel. This explains why the indications of points on the

Stomach primary channel include disorders and diseases of the

external genitalia (for example urinary tract disorders such as cysti-

tis, hernia and orchitis, which are often treated in combination with

LIV points) as well as disorders of the eyelids and of all sensory

organs.

ab

ST-12

S.I.-18

ST- 4

G.B.-34

Spine

Ren-3

Ren-2

Pathway

The Stomach sinew channel begins as a wider band, encompassing

the second, third and fourth toe, traverses the dorsum of the foot,

binds (jie) at the tibial depression and divides into two branches:

➡One branchobliquely ascends the anterolateral aspectof

the leg and binds (jie) at the lateral aspect of the knee. It then

ascends the anterolateral aspect of the thigh and binds (jie) at

the anterior hip region. From there it sends a branchto

➞G.B.-30(huantiao) in the direction of the greater trochanter.

The sinew channel travels from the anterior hip region across

the lateral abdomen and spreads across the lower ribcage pos-

teriorly to the spine.

➡Another branchfollows the tibia on the anterior aspectof

the lower leg and binds (jie) at the level of the patella. From

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