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POINT: ST-38 (STOMACH-38)  

NAME: TIAOKOU

English: Line's Opening
Also Known As: Section Mouth
Net Opening
Narrow Opening

LOCATION:

  • Located 2 cun above ST-37 Shangjushu,or 8 cun below the knee.
  • Located 2 cun above ST-37 Shangjushu,or 8 cun below ST-35 Dubi.
  • 8 cun below ST-35 Dubi and one finger breadth from the anterior border of the tibia.
  • On the lower leg, midway between the tibiofemoral joint line (level with the popliteal crease) and the prominence of the lateral malleolus, one finger breadth lateral to the anterior crest of the tibia.

NEEDLING:

  • Straight insertion, 1.5 to 2.5 cun.
  • Puncture perpendicularly 0.5 to 1 cun.
  • Moxibustion is applicable.
  • Perpendicular insertion, 1 to 1.5 cun.

COMMAND FUNCTIONS:

ACTIONS:

  • Removes obstruction from the channel
  • Expels Wind-Damp
  • Alleviates pain
  • Benefits the shoulder

INDICATIONS:

  • Arthritis of the knee
  • Paralysis of the lower limb
  • Stomach ache
  • Enteritis
  • Perifocal inflammation of the shoulder
  • Muscular atrophy, motor impairment, pain and paralysis of the leg
  • Hemiplegia
  • Insensitivity of the foot
  • Foot flaccid, not under control
  • Swelling of the dorsum of the foot
  • Gastritis
  • Hot sensations in the soles of the feet
  • Cannot stand very long
  • Abdominal cramps
  • Borborygmus
  • Bi and Wei syndromes of the lower limb
  • Swelling of the thigh and knee
  • Loss of sensation in the limbs
  • General weakness of the legs
  • Tonsillitis
  • Infection of the Stomach and Intestines
  • Frozen shoulder
  • Damp Bi
  • Numbness, Coldness and aching of the knee and shin
  • Pain in the knee
  • Cold sensation in the calf
  • Spasm of the gastrocnemius muscle
  • Spasm of the legs
  • Weakness and motor impairment
  • Pain and motor impairment of the shoulder
  • Abdominal pain
  • Sciatica
  • Dropped foot
  • Muscle cramps of the lower extremity

COMBINATIONS:

ST-36
Zusanli
UB-57
Chengshan
UB-56
Chengjin

GB-39 (needle first)
Xuanzhong
ST-42
Chongyang

Local points

Heat in the sole of the foot with inability to stand for a long time

Flaccidity of the legs with difficulty walking

Shoulder pain

CONTRAINDICATIONS:

NOTES:

  • This point is primarily used as an empirical distal point for pain and stiffness of the shoulder joint. It is usually needled on the affected side first while the patient gently rotates the shoulder and the needle is manipulated, then local points are needled.