Acupuncture Point: Stomach 36 (ST 36) 4.91/5 (98)

Stomach 36 is a really GREAT point everyone should know about. It is one of the most widely used acupuncture points on the body because it is so powerful.

Here’s a little legend about this point, based on the English name translation: Leg Three Mile.

Chinese warriors wore leather sashes with stones hanging from either side of their waists while they hiked across the vast countryside to protect their nation. When the warriors became too exhausted to go any further, they knelt down to rest. The stones hanging from the sashes would naturally land at Stomach 36 on each leg and the kneeling position placed pressure on the points. When the soldiers arose, they found hidden, renewed strength and were able to hike “three more miles”…

Here are some things you should remember about Stomach 36. Treatment of this point will energize you, boost your immune system, AND help with any digestive disorders. And if you need to walk three more miles on the treadmill, it might help with that too!


Information from the Points Acupuncture Reference Software:

Acupuncture Point: Stomach 36 (ST 6, ST6)

Chinese Name: Zusanli

English Name: Leg Three Miles

Location: 3 cun inferior to ST 35, one finger width lateral to the anterior crest of the tibia, in the tibialis anterior muscle.

Attributes: He-Sea, Horary, and Earth point of the Stomach channel. Command point of the abdomen. Sea of Nourishment point. Lower He-Sea point, Gao Wu Command point, Ma Dan-yang Heavenly Star point.

ST36-line

TCM Actions: Rectifies the spleen and stomach; regulates central qi; harmonizes the intestines and disperses stagnation; breaks thoracic blood stasis; courses wind and transforms damp; frees and regulates Qi and blood of the channels; supports the correct and banks up the origin; dispels pathogens and prevents disease.

Indications: Stomach pain; abdominal distention; indigestion; vomiting; borborygmi; diarrhea; constipation; dysentery; breast yong; dizziness; epilepsy; paralysis due to wind strike; foot qi; Water swelling; aching knee and tibia.

Secondary Indications: Pain, fullness and distention in the venter; abdominal pain; cholera; stoppage of the diaphragm and throat; difficult ingestion; wryness of the mouth; eye disease; pharyngeal bi; fever; enuresis; swelling of the feet; rumbling intestines; heaviness in the head and pain in the forehead at the outset of heat disease; vexation, oppression and generalized fever; inhibited urination; lower abdominal swelling and pain; branching fullness in the chest and lateral costal region; swelling and pain in the extremities; thoracic blood stasis; palpitations with vacuity vexation and agitation.

Needle Information: Perpendicular insertion .5 – 1.2 cun. Moxibustion is applicable.


Found This Information Helpful?

If you found this information helpful, you’ll love my free guide called 10 Powerful Acupuncture Points and Protocols to use in Treatment.

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The PDF has information about…

  • Spleen 6
  • Gallbladder 34
  • Liver 3
  • Large Intestine 4
  • Pericardium 6
  • Yin Tang
  • Conception Vessel 6
  • Cough Protocol
  • Anxiety Protocol
  • Immune Function Protocol

Points Interactive Reference Software

All of the information in this blog post, and in the free guide, comes from the Points Interactive Acupuncture Software.

Watch a short demo of Points Software below!

Points Software, with…

  • 405 Named and Numbered Points on the Body
  • 14 Main Channel Graphic Images
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  • Complete reference for all meridian systems
  • Fully customizable quiz feature to enhance your self study and acupuncture mastery

…is the ULTIMATE REFERENCE for everything you need to know about any point.

Plus, it works incredibly well to help your remote patients find acupuncture points. Simply send them a screenshot, and they’re off to the races!

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I hope this blog post, my free guide, and Points Interactive Acupuncture Software are helpful for you in your journey of health and helping others! Feel free to reach out with any questions; my staff is extremely quick to respond!

Phone: +1 208.846.8448

Email: help@miridiatech.com

Kind Regards,

-Dr. Adrian Larsen

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Dr. Adrian Larsen

Adrian P. Larsen, D.C., F.A.S.A., C.Ac. Dr. Larsen is President of Miridia Technology Inc., and one of the developers of the AcuGraph Digital Meridian Imaging system. He currently divides his time between research, product development, and teaching. Dr. Larsen also holds certifications in Applied Kinesiology and CPK, and has specialized training in SOT and craniopathy. He, his wife, and 7 children reside in Meridian, Idaho.

3 Replies to “Acupuncture Point: Stomach 36 (ST 36)

  1. Wrong image!! The first image I think is Spleen 6 not Stomach 36. This really made me look twice. But this I think will help me remember SP 6. The written information is organized in a very concise fashion

  2. What does it mean if this point was incredibly painful after a few minutes. Burning feeling and body shaking, sweating?

So, what do you think about it?