Atlas of Acupuncture

4 Acupuncture Points of the Twelve Primary Channels

Location

At the midpoint of the line joining ➞ST-35and ➞ST-41and 1

fingerbreadth lateral to the anterior crest of the tibia.

How to find

Quick method:Spreading-hands technique (➞2.3.3): place the

small fingers on ➞ST-35(‘lateral eye of the knee’, level with the

knee joint space) and ➞ST-41(in the depression between the ten-

dons of the extensor digitorum longus and the hallucis longus,

level with the highest prominence of the lateral malleolus) and

determine the midpoint of this line, using the thumbs. ST-38is

located in a depression 1 fingerbreadth (middle fingerbreadth,

measured from the anterior crest of the tibia) lateral to the mid-

point. ST-38may be palpated ‘dynamically’ (according to pressure

sensitivity). Or:From ➞ST-35, measure 8 cun (➞2 handbreadths

and 3 fingerbreadths) distally and 1 fingerbreadth laterally.

Located on the same level are ➞ST-40(1 fingerbreadth more

laterally) and ➞BL-57(dorsal aspect of the lower leg, on the

midpoint of the line joining ➞BL-40and ➞BL-60).

Needling

Vertically or obliquely 1–1.5 cun

Actions/Indications

● Expels Wind-Damp, opens the channel, alleviates pain, bene-

fits the shoulder

Special features

Very effective distal point for disorders of the shoulder. For lim-

ited range of motion of the shoulder joint: apply strong reducing

needling techniques while the patient moves their shoulder joint.

ST-38 Lines Opening TIAOKOU

ST-33

ST-34

ST-35

ST-36

G.B.-34

ST-37

ST-38

ST-39

SP-10

Ex-LE-4

SP-9

LIV-8

LIV-9

ST-40

Ex-LE-2

14

15

16

17

18

19

4 8 cun

5

6

7

8

9

10

1

2

3

Midpoint

20

cun

Popliteal

crease

Upper

border of

Ex-LE-1 the patella

Ex-LE-3

Crest of the tibia

ST-38

ST-40

ST-35

ST-38 on the

tibialis anterior

muscle

Crest of the tibia

Highest prominence

of the lateral malleolus

8 cun

8 cun

1 finger-width

ST-35

ST-37 ST-37

ST-38

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