ACUPUNCTURE
Liang Qiu: TCM Acupoint Guide
Name
Liang Qiu (ST-34)
Location
On the thigh, 2 cun above the lateral superior border of the patella, in a depression about one patella's length proximal to the superior border of the patella.
With the knee flexed, the point lies on the line drawn between the lateral border of the patella and the anterior superior iliac spine.
Needling
- Straight insertion 1 to 1.5 cun, causing local distention and soreness, possibly extending to the knee.
- Puncture perpendicularly 0.5 to 1 cun.
- Perpendicular or oblique insertion 1 to 1.5 cun.
Moxibustion is applicable.
Command functions
Xi-cleft (accumulation) point of the Stomach channel.
Actions
- Regulates and harmonizes the Stomach, pacifying the Stomach
- Subdues rebellious Stomach qi
- Clears heat
- Expels Wind and Dampness
- Removes obstruction from the channel and activates the channel
- Alleviates pain and moderates acute conditions
Indications
Stomach and abdomen
- Stomach ache, gastric pain and spasm
- Epigastric pain and acute epigastric pain
- Gastritis, gastroenteritis and inflammation of the Kidneys
- Nausea, vomiting, hiccup and belching
- Acid regurgitation and hyperacidity
- Chronic diarrhea and diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
Knee and lower limb
- Pain of the knee and leg
- Swelling and pain of the knee and surrounding tissue
- Progressive swelling and pain of the knee
- Arthritis of the knee joint
- Stiffness, soreness and pain of the knee
- Difficulty flexing and extending the knee; cannot kneel
- Contracted sinews with difficulty flexing and extending the knee, and inability to walk
- Crane's knee wind
- Painful obstruction of the shin and of the lower extremities
- Low back and leg pain
- Difficulty walking and motor impairment of the lower extremities
- Hemiplegia
Cold, dampness and deficiency patterns
- Cold painful obstruction with numbness
- Bi syndrome due to Cold
- Cold of the legs and feet
- Pain in the Kidneys, knee and feet with insensitivity
- Atrophic and edematous beriberi
Breast and chest
- Swelling and pain of the breast
- Mastitis
- Breast abscess
Other
- Big fright and great fear
Combinations
| REN-12 Zhongwan, PC-6 Neiguan | Gastritis |
| GB-42 Diwuhui | Swelling of the breast and breast abscess |
| MN-LE-16 Xiyan, SP-10 Xuehai, SP-9 Yinlingquan, GB-34 Yanglingquan | Stiffness, soreness and pain of the knee |
| LIV-8 Ququan, GB-33 Xiyangguan | Contracted sinews with difficulty flexing and extending the knee, and inability to walk |
| ST-21 Liangmen | Acute epigastric pain |
Notes
This point is used for acute, Excess and painful conditions of the Stomach, and is regarded as the point of choice for severe epigastric pain. Needling it inhibits intestinal peristalsis.
Sources and further reading
We cite classical materia medica and modern reference works. This article is health education, not medical advice.
- Shennong Bencao Jing (The Divine Farmer's Materia Medica), Han dynasty.
- Bencao Gangmu (Compendium of Materia Medica), Li Shizhen, 1578.
- Chinese Pharmacopoeia, current edition — identity, quality and safety monographs.
- NCCIH and WHO reference material on traditional medicine safety.
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