Gall Bladder Meridian
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GB-36
Xi-Cleft Point
Needle Depth
0.5–1.0 cun
Needle Angle
90° (Perpendicular)
Body Area
Lower Leg — Lateral
Location
7 cun above the tip of the external malleolus, on the anterior border of the fibula.
Main Actions
- Removes Obstructions from the Channel
Indications
Leg atrophy
Hypochondrial distention
Commentary
As the Accumulating-Xi point of the Gall Bladder Channel, Waiqiu GB-36 is able to ease various of pain or distension along the Channel, especially in the hypochondrium or lower legs.
It can also treat atrophy of the lower legs.
Classical Sources
Tong Ren Shu Xue Zhen Jiu Tu Jing (Bronze Man): Records that Waiqiu GB-36 is indicated for treating rabies with rage, fever, and convulsions. The classical text recommends applying moxa 3 cones immediately after a dog bite to expel toxins.
Zhen Jiu Jia Yi Jing (Systematic Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion): Lists indications including neck stiffness and pain, chest and hypochondriac pain, and infantile pigeon chest (turtle back deformity).
Xi-Cleft Point Theory: As the Xi-Cleft point of the Gallbladder channel, classical texts indicate it for acute painful conditions along the channel pathway, particularly sudden onset pain of the neck, lateral chest, and lower limbs.
How to Locate
Locate two reference points. First locate Yanglingquan GB-34 in the depression anterior and inferior to the head of the fibula. Then locate the highest prominence of the lateral malleolus. Waiqiu GB-36 is at the midpoint between these two reference point, on the anterior border of the fibula. Yangjiao GB-35 is at the same level, but on the posterior border of the fibula.
Caution
Located near the anterior tibial artery and peroneal nerves. Exercise care to avoid the tibial vessels and deep peroneal nerve which run in this region. Perpendicular insertion is standard; avoid excessive depth that could reach the interosseous membrane.
Needle Angle
90° (Perpendicular)
Depth Category
Medium
Standard Depth
0.5–1.0 cun
Needling Directions
Vertically 0.5–1.5 cun
Expected Deqi Sensation
Local distension and soreness at the point site. Sensation may radiate downward along the lateral aspect of the lower leg toward the ankle. Some patients experience a dull ache spreading along the Gallbladder channel pathway.
Moxibustion
Recommended
Duration: 10–15 minutes
Cupping
Recommended
Bloodletting
N/A
Gua Sha
Recommended
Special Point Classifications
Xi-Cleft Point
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