Stomach Meridian
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ST-40
Luo-Connecting Point
Needle Depth
1.0–1.5 cun
Needle Angle
90° (Perpendicular)
Body Area
Lower Leg — Anterior, Lower Leg — Lateral
Location
Midway between Dubi ST-35 and Jiexi ST-41, two middle finger-width from the anterior crest of the tibia, or one middle finger-width from Tiaokou ST-38.
Main Actions
- Resolves Dampness and Phlegm
- Calms the Mind and opens the Mind's orifices
- Subdues Rebellious Qi
Indications
Fear
Asthma
Goitre
Anxiety
Phobias
Lipomas
Coughing
Wheezing
Fibroids
Dizziness
Headaches
Streaking
Depression
Chest pain
Restlessness
Copious sputum
Breathlessness
Hallucinations
Throat swelling
Swelling of the face
Feeling of heaviness
Uncontrolled laughing
Inappropriate elation
Epigastrium stiffness
Feeling of fullness in the chest
Commentary
Fenglong ST-40 is a very important point of the Stomach Channel.
Most importantly, it resolves Phlegm and Dampness in all parts of the body and in all types of forms. First, it removes substantial Phlegm in the form of abundant chest expectoration or in the form of lumps. It can be lumps under the skin, thyroid lumps, Uterus lumps, lipomas, goitre, fibroids or etc.
Secondly, ST-40 is able to resolve non-substantial Phlegm, including the one that causes headache, dizziness or feeling of heaviness as well as the one that mist the Heart and blocked the Mind's orifices. In the latter case, the patient suffers from mental disorders such as depression, inappropriate laughter or elation, streaking, restlessness, anxiety, phobias and hallucinations of 'Ghost'.
Please be aware that Rebellious Stomach or Lung Qi can also cause some of the above mental issues (eg: anxiety, phobias). Fenglong ST-40 tackles these two mental related patterns at the same time.
Other symptoms of Rebellious Qi include epigastrium or chest fullness and stiffness as well as the feeling of knot in the Stomach. In this case, it is often applied together with Neiguan P-6.
Finally, it opens the chest by removing Phlegm there. As a result, it is widely used to treat asthma and short of breath.
Classical Sources
Ling Shu (Classic of the Spiritual Pivot), Chapter 10: "The Luo-connecting vessel of Foot Yangming is called Fenglong. It separates 8 cun above the ankle and connects to Foot Taiyin. Its separate branch ascends along the outer edge of the tibia, links with the head and neck, joins the Qi of all the channels, and descends to connect with the throat. When the Qi rebels, there is throat obstruction and sudden loss of voice. When excess, there is madness and mania; when deficient, the foot cannot be lifted and the leg becomes withered."
Zhen Jiu Jia Yi Jing (Systematic Classic of Acupuncture, 282 CE): "Reversal headache, facial swelling, vexation of the heart, seeing ghosts in madness, laughing without stopping, having external matters causing great joy, throat obstruction with inability to speak—Fenglong governs these."
Bei Ji Qian Jin Yao Fang (Essential Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold, 652 CE): "Fenglong governs madness, walking wildly, climbing high places to sing, discarding clothing and running about." Also: "Fenglong and Qiuxu (GB-40) treat chest pain like stabbing."
Yu Long Ge (Jade Dragon Ode, Yuan Dynasty): "For abundant phlegm, seek Fenglong."
How to Locate
First locate Dubi ST-35 in the depression below the patella and lateral to the patellar ligament. Then locate Jiexi ST-41 in the depression between the tendons of the extensor digitorum longus and the hallucis longus, level with tip of the lateral malleolus. Draw an imaginary line between these two points and locate Fenglong ST-40 in the midway and two middle finger-width lateral to the anterior crest of the tibia. ST-40 is at the same level as Tiaokou ST-38, but one finger-width lateral to it.
Caution
Needle insertion should be directed slightly toward the tibia. As a Luo-connecting point, ST-40 is primarily indicated for excess conditions and phlegm disorders—it is generally better to use reducing technique rather than tonification. Care should be taken not to needle too medially to avoid the tibial periosteum. The point may be tender in patients with significant phlegm accumulation.
Needle Angle
90° (Perpendicular)
Depth Category
Medium
Standard Depth
1.0–1.5 cun
Needling Directions
Vertically or obliquely 1–1.5 cun
Expected Deqi Sensation
Distention and soreness radiating upward toward the thigh and downward to the lateral malleolus. Some patients experience a heavy, dull ache at the point with sensations traveling along the Stomach channel pathway.
Moxibustion
Recommended
Duration: 5–15 minutes
Cupping
Recommended
Bloodletting
N/A
Gua Sha
Recommended
Special Point Classifications
Luo-Connecting Point
Related Resources
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