"Fu" (扶) means support on both sides; "tu" (突) refers to a raised area. The acupoint is located on both sides of the throat, near Shuitu (ST10), hence the name.

bubble_chart Location

Futu (LI18) acupoint
(adapted from "Meridians and Acupoints")

On the lateral part of neck, beside larynx, between the anterior and posterior edges of the sternocleidomastoid muscle.

• Lingshu-Hanrebing: "Behind sternocleidomastoid muscle";
• Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing: "1.5 cun posterior to Renying (ST9)";
• Xunjing Kaoxue Bian: "Directly located 3 cun lateral to the laryngeal prominence".

bubble_chart Anatomy

• Muscles: sternocleidomastoid, platysma, deep layer is the starting point of levator scapulae.
• Nerve: There are terminal branches of the cervical plexus cutaneous nerve between first and second layer of fascias. The superficial cervical cutaneous nerve (cervical 2-3) crosses the sternocleidomastoid muscle and is divided into ascending and descending branches. To most of the skin on the front and side of the neck, the great auricular nerve (neck 2-3) goes up on the surface of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, enters the nuchal area behind the ear, and distributes to the skin of the mandibular angle, parotid gland, ear and mastoid. The lesser occipital nerve (cervical 2) bypasses the accessory nerve here, ascends along the posterior edge of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, and distributes to the skin on the lateral side of the occipital muscle. The anterior branch of the supraclavicular nerve (neck 3-4) runs medially and downward, passes through the inner 1/3 of the clavicle, and distributes to the skin above the sternal angle. The middle branch crosses the clavicle downward and distributes to the skin of the chest wall above the second rib; posterior branch The branch passes through the trapezius muscle and acromion, and is distributed on the skin of the upper and posterior parts of the shoulder. There are accessory nerves in the deep layers.
• Vessels: There is the external jugular vein between first and second fascias; there is the ascending carotid artery on the deep inside.

bubble_chart Manipulation

Insert the needle at a 0.5–1 cun oblique angle downward. Avoid deep insertion and the use of high-frequency electroacupuncture to prevent vagal nerve responses. When performing acupuncture anesthesia for neck surgery, a 1.5-inch needle can be inserted above the junction of the sternocleidomastoid muscle and the external jugular vein, parallel to the muscle and avoiding blood vessels, buried under the skin. Then, insert another needle 0.5 cm below the previous one, parallel to the first needle. Afterward, apply electrical stimulation, adjusting the position of the second needle based on the appearance of numbness. The position should target the cervical skin nerves. If the numb area reaches the lower jaw or ear, the needle position should be lower; if the numb area reaches the clavicle, raise the needle position by 0.3 cm. If shoulder twitching occurs, keep the needle depth shallow. Once the numb area corresponds with the surgical incision location, secure with adhesive tape. Apply moxibustion with 3–5 moxa cones or with moxa sticks for 5–10 minutes.

bubble_chart Efficacy

Subdue swelling and dissipate bind, clear throat and restore voice.

• Classical: cough and wheeze, throat sounds like frog croaking, throat discomfort, acute hoarseness and breath obstruction, tongue bleeding, cough with excessive saliva, hyperthyroidism.
• Modern: simple goiter, thyroid surgery acupuncture anesthesia point.

bubble_chart Combinations

• Abnormal sound in throat: Futu (LI18), Tiantu (CV22), Taixi (KI3).
• Hoarseness: Futu (LI18), Tiantu (CV22), Hegu (LI4).