ST-37 Shangjuxu - Upper Great Void
More Spirit Names: Upper Great Emptiness, Upper Great Hollow, Upper Great Vacuity, Upper Void, Upper Ridge of the Leg
| English: | Upper Great Void |
| Also Known As: | Upper Great Emptiness Upper Void Great Fullness of the Upper Parts |
Location
- On the lower leg, 3 cun inferior to ST-36 Zusanli, one finger-breadth lateral to the anterior crest of the tibia. Locate one handbreadth below ST-36 Zusanli.
- 6 cun below St-35 Dubi and one finger breadth (middle finger) lateral to the anterior crest of the tibia.
Needling
- Perpendicular or oblique insertion 1 to 1.5 cun.
- Puncture perpendicularly 0.5 to 1.2 cun.
- Moxibustion is applicable.
Command Functions
- Lower He-Sea Point of the Large Intestine
- Point of the Sea of Blood
- He-Sea Point of the Middle Jiao
Actions
- Regulates the Intestines
- Transforms Stagnation
- Clears and cools Damp-Heat
- Alleviates diarrhea and dysenteric disorder
- Regulates the Spleen and Stomach
- Activates the channel
- Alleviates pain
- Eliminates Dampness and Stagnation
- Eliminates accumulations and Stagnation
- Dispels retention of food
- Calms asthma
Indications
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Combinations
| ST-39 | ST-25 | |
| Yellow and difficult urination Diarrhea due to indigestion | Bacillary dysentery | Enteritis Dysentery |
Tonifies Blood |
Contraindications
Notes
- This point treats a wide range of Intestinal disorders.
- It is good for all chronic colon problems, especially diarrhea.
- This point balances the body areas above the lower extremities by sedating and dispersing Yang Qi Excess downward and peripherally.
- This point is used in preference to LI-11 Quchi, for Large Intestine problems.
Five Elements Spirit Perspective
| Spirit of the Point | Upper Great Void is a Sea of Blood point, a place where the Qi moves freely, a vastness, quiet and open. It is used a lot when something has accumulated and is not moving, with fullness and stagnation. With a deficient Sea of Blood, the Sea of Nourishment can never be replenished. When Blood is well nourished, the mind and spirit gain stability, warmth and flexibility. It relates to the upper parts of body, mind and spirit. |
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| Worsley | Location: On the front of the lower leg, outside the edge of the tibia, 10 ACI above the level of the lateral malleolus prominence. |
| When to Consider |
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| Combinations | |
| Notes |
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From Class
- ST-37 / ST-39 / ST-36: Smokeless moxa on ST-37, ST-39 and ST-36 to tonify blood when the stomach isn't producing enough blood. (Yuen)
- ST-37 Shangjuxu: Lower he-sea of large intestine; with ST-25 to promote descent/elimination (bile to break down estrogen). (Yuen)
- ST-37 Shangjuxu / ST-39 Xiajuxu: Lower transporting (lower he-sea) points used for regulating blood, per Ling Shu ch.33. (Yuen)
- SP-15 Daheng & ST-37 Shangjuxu: For Stomach heat with thirst and constipation: SP-15 regulates the intestines; ST-37 is the lower he-sea of the Large Intestine. (Fuggman)
- Blood points: ST-36/9/30 regulate; SP-10/BL-17 invigorate; BL-11, ST-37, ST-39 move; PC-4 dissipate: Ling Shu ch.33 sea of blood points only move blood; tight/wiry pulse = move qi to move blood; choppy pulse = invigorate. (Yuen)
- Lower he-sea points of the arm yang channels: Arm yang channels have lower he-sea points to affect their bowels: ST-37 (LI), ST-39 (SI), BL-39 (SJ); use them to promote elimination. (Yuen)
- Running piglet/vascular stress: SP-4 + PC-6; bowels: ST-36, ST-37, ST-39, LI-11: Anxiety/panic may mean vascular stress in the child — open Chong with SP-4 + PC-6; moxa chest for reflux; ST-36, ST-37, ST-39, LI-11 disinhibit the bowels. (Lewis)
- Nine Needles to Return Yang — as death medicine: Three stages: Separation (Du-15, PC-8, PC-6, SP-6); Transition (KI-1, KI-3, Ren-12); Deliverance (GB-30, ST-36 or ST-37, LI-4), giving yang momentum for passage. (Lewis)