Sundance Acupuncture

Herb & Acupuncture Database

(This is my own personal database of teachers, teachings and notes that I use in my practice. I’ve decided to share it freely with anyone who would like to reference it.)

ST-43 Xiangu - Sinking Valley

More Spirit Names: Deep Valley, Sunken Valley

English:	Sunken Valley
Also Known As:	Sinking Valley Depth of the Valley Deep Valley

Location

In the depression distal to the junction of the second and third metatarsal bones.
Between the second and third metatarsal bones, directly above the lateral side of the second toe.
On the dorsum of the foot, between the second and third metatarsal bones, in a depression 1 cun proximal to ST-44 Neiting.

Needling

Puncture perpendicularly 0.3 to 0.5 cun.
Moxibustion is applicable.
Slanted insertion, 0.1 to 0.3 cun.
Perpendicular or oblique insertion 0.5 to 1 cun.

Command Functions

Shu-Stream point
Wood point

Actions

Eliminates Wind and Heat
Removes obstruction from the channel
Regulates the Spleen
Dispels Edema
Regulates and harmonizes the Stomach and Intestines

Indications

Facial edema
General edema
Abdominal pain
Borborygmus
Swelling and pain of the dorsum of the foot
Choking
Ascites
Flatulence
Hernia
Nightsweats
Trigeminal neuralgia
Pain and swelling of the eyes
Abdominal distention and fullness
Fullness of the chest and lateral costal regions

Conjunctivitis
Hysteria
Suffocation
Chest disorders
Chronic coughing that doesn't stop
Ocular congestion
Wind-Heat Bi
Epigastric pain
Seizures
Tonsillitis
Generalized muscular aches
Heel pain
Fever without sweat
Cold shivering with malarial disorders
Difficulty flexing and extending the toes
Dropped foot

Combinations

LI-4 Hegu	DU-23 Shangxing DU-22 Xinhui DU-21 Qianding SP-4 Gongsun	ST-25 Tianshu ST-40 Fenglong ST-45 Lidui ST-42 Chongyang
Heat Bi with redness, swelling, Heat and pain of the joints	Sudden swelling of the face	Facial swelling
LIV-14 Qimen	REN-10 Xiawan	SP-3 Taibai UB-25 Dachangshu
Postpartum belching	Borborygmus	Pain of Intestinal Abscess
LU-7 Lieque SI-5 Yanggu LI-4 Hegu PC-5 Jianshi GB-34 Yanglingquan KI-10 Yingu ST-36 Zusanli LIV-8 Ququan ST-41 Jiexi KI-7 Fuliu SP-4 Gongsun ST-45 Lidui ST-42 Chongyang SP-9 Yinlingquan UB-21 Weishu REN-9 Shuifen REN-8 Shenque
Edema

Contraindications

Notes

This point controls the highest fevers.
Massage this point for children.
This is a special point for trigeminal neuralgia.
This point is primarily used to remove Wind and Heat in Bi syndrome.
Classed as a "Gu" point.

Five Elements Spirit Perspective

Spirit of the Point	Sinking Valley is the Wood point on Earth. It was a mound that sank and became a container, a hollow that can hold something. Wood helps Earth get started and keep a new beginning going in a straight line, and it gives Earth a sense of boundary, so a person can say no and attend to their own needs before rescuing the world. It is about movement: breaking things up and finding a new direction. It carries Earth's force when that force has been caught in a pit. Wood anchors Earth and holds it in place, keeping it from washing away; barren, overworked Earth can grow nothing until some Wood is planted.
Worsley	Location: On the dorsum of the foot, where the 2nd and 3rd metatarsals come together to form an angle. Needle depth: 3 fen Moxa: 3 cones
When to Consider	When Earth can't get going or think straight When Earth is worn down from sustaining and supporting others When a person cannot say no and needs to attend to their own needs first When Earth has become rigid or directionless and needs wider horizons When an excess of Earth sits on the Wood, suffocating the tree's roots When someone needs to put down new roots in the earth When a person cannot see beyond the stuckness and frustration and needs to stand on their own center differently, with fresh perspective, so a new direction can be found and the spin left behind When thoughts keep circling in worry and the person needs to step into action When Earth is unstable, unassertive and crumbling away, or flooded and in danger of eroding
Notes	Wood point and Stream point of the Stomach

For educational reference only; not a substitute for care from a qualified practitioner.