Liangmen ST-21
Chinese: 梁门
Pinyin: Liáng Mén
Location
4 cun above the umbilicus and 2 cun lateral to the anterior midline.
How to locate
There are 8 cun between the sternocostal angle and the center of the umbilicus. Liangmen ST-21 is in the middle of these two points and 2 cun lateral to the anterior midline.
Depends on the shape of the thorax, the location might be either on the rib or on the abdomen.
Main actions
- Invigorates Stomach Qi
- Clears Stomach Heat
Needling
Vertically 0.5–1 cun.
As each patient's thorax shape varies, the point may fall on the lower border of the ribcage or on the ribcage. If the actual point location on the lower ribcage, needle transversely on the rib or locate the point more medially, or choose an alternative point.
Caution: Peritoneum, enlarged liver on the right, pregnancy.
Commentary for Liangmen ST-21
Liangmen ST-21 is widely used for Stomach disharmony with Excess patterns, such as Stomach Qi Stagnation or Rebellious Stomach Qi. Typical symptoms are nausea, vomiting, epigastric pain or distention and etc.
In fact, the epigastric points on the Stomach Channel are often for Excess patterns while these on the Directing Vessel are more for Deficiency patterns.
Furthermore, when used together with Neiting ST-44, it also clears Stomach Heat, characterized by thirst and a burning epigastric sensation.