Stomach Channel 1

BIGUAN ST-31 ful obstruction of the knees, inability to extend and

Thigh Gate bend the knee, lumbar pain, jaundice.

LOCATION COMMENTARY
On the upper thigh, in a depression just Biguan ST-31 (Thigh Gate) is located close to the pivotal hip
lateral to the sartorius muscle, at the junction region, the ‘gate’ of the lower limb. According to the Spir-
of a vertical line drawn downward from the anterior itual Pivot19 “Yangming channel is abundant in qi and
superior iliac spine, and a horizontal line drawn level with blood”, and points of both arm and foot yangming channel
the lower border of the pubic symphysis. are much used clinically to promote the circulation of qi and
blood in the extremities, rendering them ideal for treating
numbness, paralysis, stiffness and pain in the four limbs.
anterior superior Biguan ST-31 is an important point to regulate the
iliac spine
circulation of qi and blood in the leg as a whole, and in the
Stomach channel in particular. In this respect it may be
viewed as the equivalent point on the lower limb of Jianyu
L.I.-15 on the upper limb. Its main applications are in the
treatment of atrophy disorder, hemiplegia and painful
obstruction of the whole leg, or in the treatment of pain
from the hip radiating down the Stomach channel. In such
lower border of cases it is frequently combined in the ‘chain and lock’
Biguan ST-31 pubic symphisis method with Zusanli ST-36 and Jiexi ST-41. A number of
classics also specifically recommend Biguan ST-31 for
cold painful obstruction of the knees and for lumbar pain.

sartorius COMBINATIONS
• Numbness of the knee: Biguan ST-31, Dubi ST-35,
and Yanglingquan GB-34 (Supplementing Life).
• Weakness and paralysis of the legs: Biguan ST-31,
Zusanli ST-36, Yanglingquan GB-34, Xuanzhong
GB-39 and Jiexi ST-41.

LOCATION NOTE
The horizontal level may also be taken as approximately
the most prominent point of the greater trochanter.

NEEDLING
Perpendicular or oblique insertion 1 to 2 cun.

ACTIONS
Activates the channel and alleviates pain
Dispels wind-damp

INDICATIONS
• Atrophy disorder and painful obstruction of the
lower limb, hemiplegia, numbness of the legs, cold
damp leg qi, pain of the hip joint, pain of the thigh,
sciatica, contraction of the thigh muscles, cold pain-