Stomach Channel

Tiaokou ST-38

Chinese: 条口

Pinyin: Tiáo Kǒu

Location

8 cun below Dubi ST-35, midway between Dubi ST-35 and Jiexi ST-41, one middle finger-width from the anterior crest of the tibia. 

 

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 the tip of the lateral malleolus. 

Draw an imaginary line between these two points and locate Tiaokou ST-38 in the midway and one middle finger-width lateral to the anterior crest of the tibia. 

Main actions

  1. Removes Obstructions from the Channel by expeling Wind-Damp
  2. Benefits the Shoulder

Indications

Leg pain Cold legs Weak legs Leg atrophy Leg numbness Leg swelling Shoulder pain Shoulder stiffness

Needling

Vertically or obliquely 1–1.5 cun

Commentary for Tiaokou ST-38

Tiaokou ST-38's main functions is to removes Obstructions from the Channel by expelling Wind-Damp of the legs and shoulders. 

when used as a distal point to treat Painful Obstruction Syndrome of the shoulders, it is normally needled first with Reducing Needling Method while the patient slowly rotates the shoulder. Then other locate shoulder points should be used afterwards.