Shu-stream point

bubble_chart Etymology

"Xian" (陷), depression; "gu" (谷), valley. The point is located in the depression between the 2nd and 3rd metatarsal bones on dorsum of foot, resembling a valley.

bubble_chart Location

Xiangu (ST43) acupoint
(adapted from "Meridians and Acupoints")

• Lingshu‧Benshu: "Ascend between the middle toes, two cun above, in the depression";
• Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing: "In the depression behind the base of the second toe, two cun away from Neiting (ST44)."

bubble_chart Anatomy

• Muscle: second interosseous phalanx.
• Nerve: medial cutaneous nerve of dorsum of foot.
• Vessel: dorsal pedis venous network.

bubble_chart Manipulation

Perpendicular or upward oblique insertion 0.5 to 1 cun. Moxibustion with moxa cone 3 to 5 minutes, moxibustion with moxa stick 5 to 15 minutes.

bubble_chart Efficacy

Promotes water metabolism, benefit qi.

• Classical: facial swelling, red and painful eyes, abdominal pain with borborygmus, ascites, night sweating, swelling and pain on instep, fever, febrile disease without sweating, abdominal distension and fullness, frequent belching, persistent cough, intermittent malaria with shortness of breath, fullness and pain in hypochondriac region.
• Modern: hysteria.

bubble_chart Combinations

• Facial and eye abscesses: Xiangu (ST43), Lieque (LU7).
• Intestinal rumbling with pain: Xiangu (ST43), Wenliu, Lougu (SP7), Fuliu (KI7), Yanggang (BL48).
• Sudden facial swelling : Xiangu (ST43), Shangxing (GV23), Xinhui (GV22), Qianding (GV21) , Gongsun (SP4).
• Frequent belching after childbirth: Xiangu (ST43), Qimen (LR14).