Stomach 36
Acupressure Point ST36
Apply the Earth Aroma Acu-Stick® to activate points on the Stomach Channel. Stomach 36 acupressure point is regarded as the most useful acupressure point on the body by most licensed acupuncturists as it has so many key functions in the manifestation of Qi and Blood in the body. Acupressure point Stomach 36 can be used with any digestive disorder as the Stomach is in charge of receiving the food along with “rotting and ripening” the food.
Related Articles:
- Learn How Aroma Acu-Therapy Works
- The Earth Element of Chinese Medicine
- How traditional Chinese medicine addresses Digestive Issues
- General Acupressure Directions-Video
Location of Acupressure Point Stomach 36
St 36 is on the anterior of the leg lateral to the edge of the tibia one Cun from the crest of the tibia. Place your pinky finger at the lower border of the knee cap and your index finger will fall at acupressure point ST 36. Apply the Earth Element Acupressure Stick to Acupressure Point Stomach 36 to activate the healing potential of the pressure point.
Health Conditions Treated with Acupressure Point ST 36
Stomach Qi is involved in the downward flow of Qi allowing for proper digestion and elimination. Points on the Stomach channel also impact the Large Intestine more-so than points on the Large Intestine channel, so even issues such as constipation are addressed with Stomach points. Ancient Chinese military troop often made it a habit to stop each mile and stimulate Stomach 36 to give them more energy to continue their forward march; three li equals about a mile, so the name Leg Three Li came from this historical reference. As you might imagine, it is an excellent point for enhancing your own innate vital energy!
Stomach Pain
- Apply the Earth Element Acupressure Stick to Stomach 36
- Apply the Earth Element Acupressure Stick to Acupressure Point Ren 12
Digestive Issues
Difficult-chronic ingestion is often due to the Liver Attacking the Spleen and Stomach in Traditional Chinese medicine.
- Apply the Earth Element Acupressure Stick to Stomach 36
- Apply the Wood Element Acupressure Stick to acupressure point Liver 3
- Apply the Earth Element Acupressure Stick to acupressure point Spleen 3 and acupressure point Spleen 6
Undigested food in the stool would suggest Coldness (lack of Stomach Fire) or Spleen Qi Deficiency as Qi is a Yang substance.
- Apply the Earth Element Acupressure Stick to Stomach 36
- Apply the Earth Element Acupressure Stick to acupressure point Spleen 3
- Apply our Kidney Yang plaster to the back over the kidneys and to the lower abdomen.
Cold in the intestines would be indicated by sharp pain with defecation.
- Apply the Earth Element Acupressure Stick to Stomach 36
- Apply the Earth Element Acupressure Stick to acupressure point Spleen 3
- Apply our Kidney Yang plaster to the back over the kidneys and to the lower abdomen.
Chronic diarrhea or loose stools suggests Spleen Qi Deficiency
- Apply the Earth Element Acupressure Stick to Stomach 36
- Apply the Earth Element Acupressure Stick to acupressure point Spleen 3 and acupressure point Spleen 6
Nausea
- Apply the Earth Element Acupressure Stick to Stomach 36
- Apply the Earth Element Acupressure Stick to acupressure point Spleen 6
- Apply the Fire Element Acupressure Stick to acupressure point Pericardium 6
- Chronic nausea suggests Spleen Qi Deficiency
Chronic Vomiting
- Apply the Earth Element Acupressure Stick to Stomach 36
- Apply the Earth Element Acupressure Stick to acupressure point Spleen 6
- Apply the Fire Element Acupressure Stick to acupressure point Pericardium 6
- Apply the Earth Element Acupressure Stick to acupressure Point Ren 12
Bitter vomiting with bile suggests that the Wood Element is attacking the Stomach and causing a counter-flow of Stomach Qi as the direction of Stomach Qi is to go downward.
- Apply the Earth Element Acupressure Stick to Stomach 36
- Apply the Wood Element Acupressure Stick to acupressure point Liver 3
Hiccups
- Apply the Conception Vessel Acupressure Stick to REN 12
- Apply the Earth Element Acupressure Stick to Stomach 36
- Apply the Wood Element Acupressure Stick to acupressure point Liver 3
- Apply the Earth Element Acupressure Stick to acupressure Point Ren 12
Chronic Belching
- Apply the Earth Element Acupressure Stick to acupressure Point Ren 12
- Apply the Earth Element Acupressure Stick to Stomach 36
Abdominal Distention
- Distension and pain of the abdomen apply the Earth Element Acupressure Stick to Stomach 36
Fullness and distension of the Heart and abdomen:
- Apply the Earth Element Acupressure Stick to Stomach 36
- Apply the Earth Element Acupressure Stick to acupressure point Spleen 6
- Apply the Fire Element Acupressure Stick to acupressure point Heart 7 and acupressure point Heart 8
Intense Hunger
Heat in the Middle Jiao with propensity to hunger hunger without desire to eat is sometimes referred to as Stomach Heat or Stomach Fire; it is most often caused originally by Yin Deficiency (Yin originates in the Kidney energetic system).
- Apply the Earth Element Acupressure Stick to Stomach 36
- Apply the Earth Element Acupressure Stick to acupressure point Stomach 44
- Apply the Earth Element Acupressure Stick to acupressure Point Ren 12
- Apply the Water Element Acupressure Stick to Kidney 3
Poor Appetite
A chronic poor appetite suggests Spleen Qi Deficiency and you would want to:
- Apply the Earth Element Acupressure Stick to Stomach 36
- Apply the Earth Element Acupressure Stick to acupressure point Spleen 3 and acupressure point Spleen 6
Edema
Edema in the lower leg and ankles:
- Apply the Earth Element Acupressure Stick to Stomach 36
- Apply the Earth Element Acupressure Stick to acupressure point Stomach 44
- Apply the Water Element Acupressure Stick to Kidney 3
Internal Dampness
Heaviness of the four limbs suggests Internal Dampness due to Spleen Qi Deficiency
- Apply the Earth Element Acupressure Stick to Stomach 36
- Apply the Earth Element Acupressure Stick to acupressure point Spleen 3 and acupressure point Spleen 6
Breathing Problems
Shortness of breath and cough:
- Apply the Earth Element Acupressure Stick to Stomach 36
- Apply the Metal Element Acupressure Stick to acupressure point Lung 7
Shortness of breath with inability to stand for long:
- Apply the Earth Element Acupressure Stick to Stomach 36
- Apply the Metal Element Acupressure Stick to acupressure point Lung 7
Chronic Dizziness
Dizziness due to Blood Deficiency or post-partum blood dizziness is resolved by tonifying Blood, which is a Yin substance and finds its origins in the Qi production of the Spleen and Stomach.
- Apply the Earth Element Acupressure Stick to Stomach 36 and acupressure point Spleen 3
- Apply the Water Element Acupressure Stick to acupressure point Kidney 3
Poor Lactation
The breasts are traversed by the Spleen channel and any breast issue would indicate Spleen channel blocks. Insufficient lactation could also be the result of the Earth Element not supplying sufficient Food Qi for the extra demands of lactation.
- Apply the Earth Element Acupressure Stick to Stomach 36
- Apply the Earth Element Acupressure Stick to acupressure point Spleen 3 and acupressure point Spleen 6
Eyes
Dimness of vision:
- Apply the Earth Element Acupressure Stick to Stomach 36
- Apply the Wood Element Acupressure Stick to acupressure point Liver 3
Ringing in the Ears
Tinnitus that comes on with stress or frustration:
- Apply the Earth Element Acupressure Stick to Stomach 36
- Apply the Wood Element Acupressure Stick to acupressure point Liver 3
Palpitations
- Apply the Earth Element Acupressure Stick to Stomach 36
- Apply the Fire Element Acupressure Stick to acupressure Point Pericardium 6
- Apply the Fire Element Acupressure Stick to acupressure point Heart 7
High Blood Pressure
- Apply the Earth Element Acupressure Stick to Stomach 36
- Apply the Wood Element Acupressure Stick to acupressure point Liver 3
- Apply the Earth Element Acupressure Stick to acupressure point Spleen 3 and acupressure point Spleen 6
Misc. Uses of Acupressure Point Stomach 36
- Acupressure point Stomach 36 is sometimes combined with acupressure point Large Intestine 10 and acupressure point Conception Vessel (Ren) 12 to strengthen the Stomach and Spleen energetic organ systems of the Earth Element
- Acupressure point Stomach 36 is sometimes combined with acupressure point Large Intestine 11 to strengthen the Stomach energetic organ and the flow of Qi through the channel while re-establish proper Qi transformation in cases where treatments are not as effective as anticipated.
- Use Stomach 36 for slow healing wounds, bed sores, bad abscesses, and old sores in the lower leg and foot.
- Stomach 36 is used to treat any type of swellings of the legs and feet.
Other Name(s) of Acupressure Point Stomach 36
- Leg Three Li
- Leg Three Miles
- Lower Hollow Three Li
- Third Mile
- Ghost Evil
- Foot Yangming
- Lower Mound
- Lower Sea of Qi
Traditional Chinese Medicine Classifications of Acupuncture Point ST 36
- He-Sea point
- Earth point
- Point of Ho (autumn)
- Gao Wu Command point
- Four Sea point of Nourishment
- Ma Dan-yang Heavenly Star point
- Abdominal region of the Four Command points
- Point of the Sea of Water and Grain
- Horary point of the Stomach channel
- One of the "59 piercings" for clearing Heat
Traditional Chinese Medicine Actions of Acupressure Point ST 36
- Benefits Stomach & Spleen
- Tonifies Qi & Blood
- Activates the Stomach Channel and alleviates pain
- Fortifies the Spleen and Resolves Internal Dampness
- Supports the correct downward direction of Stomach Qi
- Nourishes Blood and Yin
- Clears Fire and calms the Spirit (Shen)
- Revives the Yang and restores consciousness
- Regulates Wei Qi (Immune System)
- Supports the production of Nutritive Qi (Food Qi)
- Regulates the Intestines
- Normalizes hypertension (lowers high blood pressure but not normal blood pressure)
Cautions: Do not use acupressure as self-care when pregnant without the guidance of a licensed acupuncturist. Always discuss new treatment modalities with your local health care professional.
ST36 improves insulin sensitivity and reduces free fatty acid levels insulin resistance
Zusanli (ST36) Acupoint for Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy
ST36 modulates gastric motility
ST36 exerts neuroprotective effects
Improvement in inflammation and airway remodelling ST36
ST36 on Peripheral Blood Perfusion and Autonomic Activities
ST36 Alleviates Cartilage Degradation in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Zusanli (ST36) acupoint for acute diarrhea
Therapeutic effects of ST36 acupoint on severe acute pancreatitis
(ST36) Protects Intestinal Mucosal Immune Barrier
Acupoint ST36 normalizes impaired colonic motility
This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.