Chengqi ST-1 location
ST-1

Chengqi ST-1

Tear Container · 承泣 · Chéng Qì
Stomach Meridian
Entry Point

Safety Warnings

  • Dangerous point - requires extra caution
  • Deep needling contraindicated - shallow insertion only
  • Moxibustion contraindicated

Needle Depth

0.5–1.0 cun

Needle Angle

90° (Perpendicular)

Body Area

Face — Periorbital

Location

Between the eyeball and the midpoint of the infraorbital ridge.

Next on channel

Sibai ST-2

Main Actions

  • Clears Heat
  • Clears Wind

Commentary

Chengqi ST-1 is widely used for various eye disorders due to Exterior or Interior Wind or Heat.  Indications includes acute and chronic conjunctivitis, myopia, astigmatism, squint, color blindness, night blindness, glaucoma, atrophy of the optic nerve, cataract, keratitis and retinitis.

As it expels Winds, it is able to treat facial paralysis or deviation of eye and mouth as well. 

Classical Sources

Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing (针灸甲乙经 - Systematic Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion): "Chengqi is located 7 fen below the eye, directly below the pupil."

Huangdi Neijing Suwen (黄帝内经素问 - Yellow Emperor's Classic, Basic Questions): Lists this point under the alternative name "Mu Xia" (目下, meaning "below the eye").

Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing: "When the eyes are unclear, tearing occurs, visual dizziness, itching of the pupil, distant vision is blurred, darkness at night without sight, twitching of the eyes and head/mouth pulling together, deviation cannot speak—needle Chengqi."

Shengji Zonglu (圣济总录): "Only needle 3 fen; deeper insertion will cause the eye to sink in, and once sunken it cannot be treated."

How to Locate

The first four points of the Stomach Channel are located vertically in the central pupil line, when the patients look straight ahead. The infraorbital ridge is an obvious bony structure under the lower eyelid. Chengqi ST-1 is located on the pupil line, between the eyeball and the infraorbital ridge.

Caution

This is a high-risk periorbital point requiring advanced training. Key precautions: 1. NEEDLE MANIPULATION: Never use lifting, thrusting, or rotating techniques. Insert the needle slowly and steadily without manipulation. 2. TECHNIQUE: Have the patient look upward. Gently push the eyeball upward with the left thumb while inserting the needle perpendicularly and slowly along the infraorbital ridge. 3. POST-NEEDLING: After removing the needle, press firmly on the insertion site for 1-2 minutes to prevent hematoma. Inform patients that bruising may still occur. 4. DEPTH WARNING: Do not exceed 1.5 cun depth—this risks damaging the ophthalmic artery. At 2 cun depth, the needle can penetrate through the optic canal and injure the brain. 5. SUPERVISION: This point should only be needled by experienced practitioners or under qualified supervision. 6. COMPLICATIONS: Improper needling can cause orbital hemorrhage, protruding eyeball (proptosis), or blindness.

Needle Angle

90° (Perpendicular)

Depth Category

Medium

Standard Depth

0.5–1.0 cun

Needling Directions

Ask the patient to look upward, gently push the eyeball upwards and insert the needle vertically along the orbital ridge in a dorsal direction. Caution: Venous plexus and arteries, avoid injuring the eyeball and periost! Needling recommended only by experienced practitioners! After removing the needle, press firmly on the insertion site for about one minute to prevent haematoma. Inform the patient that it may still be possible for a haematoma to develop.

Expected Deqi Sensation

Local distension and soreness around the eye socket; may cause tearing. Sensation may radiate around the orbital region. Due to the sensitive location, many patients experience discomfort or slight watering of the eyes during needling.

Moxibustion

Contraindicated

Duration: N/A - Moxibustion contraindicated at this point

Cupping

Contraindicated

Bloodletting

Contraindicated

Gua Sha

Contraindicated

Special Point Classifications

Entry Point

Related Resources

Stomach Meridian

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