Stomach Meridian
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ST-45
Metal-Jin
Well-Jing Point
Exit Point
Safety Warnings
- Deep needling contraindicated - shallow insertion only
Needle Depth
0.1–0.2 cun
Needle Angle
45° (Oblique), 90° (Perpendicular)
Body Area
Toes
Location
On the lateral side of the 2nd toe, about 0.1 cun posterior to the corner of nail.
Main Actions
- Clears Heat
- Calms the Mind
- Restores consciousness
Indications
Fear
Fever
Insomnia
Toothache
Dizziness
Streaking
Runny nose
Depression
Bloody nose
Cracked lips
Excessive hunger
Heat in the face
Excessive dreams
Swelling of the face
Impaired consciousness
Commentary
Lidui ST-45 is an important point of the Stomach Channel with various functions.
First of all, it clears Heat in the Stomach as well as the Stomach Channel. Typical symptoms include excessive hunger, febrile disease, swelling of the face, feeling of heat in the face, nosebleed, yellow nasal discharge, toothache and cracked lips.
Excessive Stomach Heat may lead to Heart Fire, characterized by symptoms such as excessive dreaming, foibas insomnia, dizziness, manic depression or streaking. The patients may also desire to ascend to high places and sing there. In this case, direct moxa is recommended.
Classical Sources
Ling Shu (Spiritual Pivot), Chapter on Ben Shu: "It emerges at Lidui. Lidui is at the tip of the second toe next to the big toe; it is the Well-Jing point and belongs to Metal."
Zhen Jiu Jia Yi Jing (Systematic Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion): "For febrile disease without sweating, nosebleed, dizziness with falling, facial swelling, cold shins and feet, inability to sleep, shivering, fear of people and sounds of wood, sore throat, tooth decay, fear of wind, nasal obstruction, easily frightened, Lidui governs these. For malaria with loss of appetite, Lidui governs this. For cold with abdominal distension, Lidui governs this."
Tong Ren Shu Xue Zhen Jiu Tu Jing (Bronze Man Illustrated Manual): "Treats corpse-like syncope, lockjaw with cessation of breathing resembling malign attack, distension and fullness of the chest and abdomen, febrile disease without sweating, alternating chills and fever in malaria, loss of appetite, facial swelling, cold feet and legs, throat obstruction, tooth decay, aversion to wind, nasal obstruction, easily frightened, and excessive sleepiness."
How to Locate
Lidui ST-45 is located at the junction of two tangents drawn along the lateral and proximal border of the nail of the 2nd toe, approximately 0.1 cun from the margin of the nail.
Caution
This is a sensitive point located near the nail bed. Use thin needles and insert quickly to minimize discomfort. The depth should not exceed 0.2 cun. Bloodletting technique is commonly employed here - when pricking to bleed, ensure proper sterilization and control bleeding appropriately. Avoid in patients with bleeding disorders or on anticoagulant therapy when using bloodletting technique.
Needle Angle
45° (Oblique) / 90° (Perpendicular)
Depth Category
Shallow
Standard Depth
0.1–0.2 cun
Needling Directions
0.1 cun vertically or obliquely in a proximal direction or prick to bleed.
Expected Deqi Sensation
Sharp, pricking sensation at the point. Due to its location at the toe tip, deqi may be experienced as local distension, soreness, or numbness. The sensation typically remains localized rather than radiating significantly.
Moxibustion
Recommended
Duration: 5–10 minutes
Cupping
Contraindicated
Bloodletting
Particularly Recommended
Gua Sha
Contraindicated
Five Element & Transporting Classification
Five Phase
Metal-Jin
Transporting Type
Well-Jing Point
Mother-Child Role
Child (Reducing)
Special Point Classifications
Exit Point
Related Resources
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