Energy Health & Fitness

Clinical experience has shown that Stomach 36 is one of the most important acupoints in maintaining optimal health. Stimulating this point at least once a week will produce dramatic results!

Stomach 36 is the most widely used acupoints because of its powerful effects and wide range of applications, including the preferred treatment point for strengthening the immune system.

Acupoint: Stomach 36 (ST36)
Chinese Name: Zu San Li
English Name: Leg Three
Li Element: Earth
Location: Stomach 36 is located approximately 3 cun (four finger widths) below the knee cap on the outer leg, in the depression between the shinbone and the anterior tibialis muscle.

Stomach 36 is a Lower He-sea point, which is where Qi enters a deeper level in the meridian to communicate with its corresponding organ (stomach). It is also a Sea of Water and Grain point, which is known to have a strong effect on their related system, with Stomach 36 having direct effects on appetite and digestion.

Additionally, Stomach 36 is the Command point for the abdomen. Command points are known to have powerful and broad effects on their related region of the body, and they are traditionally used to treat imbalances of any origin, whether acute or chronic. Stomach 36 is therefore considered the strongest of all points along the Stomach meridian.

Stomach 36 has a variety of benefits that supports natural balance:

* Invigorates the entire meridian
* Relieves pain and swelling
* Harmonizes the stomach
* Regulates the spleen
* Supports, regulates and strengthens Qi (energy)
* Revives Yang while nourishing Yin
* Because Earth is the mother of Metal in the Five Elements theory, ST36 will mildly support lung function.

Biologically, the stomach is part of the digestive system that takes in, breaks down and digests food to extract nutrients and energy and extracts the unusable waste. The chemical breakdown of proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates begins in the stomach, where useful products are sent to spleen for conversion to Qi and blood, and the by-products are sent to the small intestine.

Editor's Note:
Acupuncturists have traditionally used Stomach 36 for treatment of the following conditions: knee and leg pain, tibial bone pain, abdominal pain and distention, allergies, asthma, chest pain, cough, digestive and gastrointestinal issues, indigestion, vomiting, dizziness, fever, hypertension, seizures, reproductive system issues, and general weakness.

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