GB 31 — Fēng Shì (风市) — Wind Market

GB 31 (Feng Shi, “Wind Market”) is the principal point on the lateral thigh. The name reflects the point’s special action of expelling Wind from the channel. Located where the middle finger touches the lateral thigh when the patient stands with arms straight at the sides, it is used for sciatica, hip pain, leg weakness and Wind-related skin disorders.

On this page

1. Overview
2. Location
3. Actions
4. Indications
5. Needling
6. Clinical notes
7. Treatment at my clinic

1. About GB 31 (Feng Shi)

GB 31 — Fēng Shì — is on the Gallbladder meridian. The name “Wind Market” reflects the classical understanding that this point is where Wind “gathers” on the lateral leg, and where it can be most readily expelled. The point is therefore used both for musculoskeletal pain involving the lateral leg/hip AND for Wind-related conditions such as itchy skin disorders and post-stroke hemiplegia.

2. GB 31 location

On the lateral thigh, 7 cun above the popliteal crease, in the depression between the vastus lateralis and the biceps femoris. The simplest method is to have the patient stand with arms straight at the sides — the point is where the tip of the middle finger touches the thigh.

3. Actions

1. Expels Wind and dispels Damp from the channel
2. Strengthens the sinews and bones
3. Unblocks the channel and relieves pain

4. Indications

1. Sciatica — particularly with pain along the lateral leg
2. Hip pain and trochanteric bursitis
3. Lateral leg pain, weakness or numbness
4. Itchy skin disorders, urticaria, eczema (Wind-related)
5. Hemiplegia of the leg after stroke
6. General body itching

5. Needling

Perpendicular insertion 1.0–2.0 cun. Strong De Qi often radiates down the lateral leg towards the knee or ankle.

6. Clinical notes

For sciatica involving the lateral leg (Gallbladder channel pattern), GB 31 is one of the principal points, combined with GB 30 (Huan Tiao), GB 34 (Yang Ling Quan) and BL 40 (Wei Zhong). The point’s additional action of expelling Wind makes it uniquely useful in chronic itchy skin disorders, where it is combined with SP 10 (Xue Hai) and LI 11 (Qu Chi).

7. Treatment at my clinic

I use GB 31 in tailored acupuncture prescriptions for sciatica, hip and lateral leg pain, and chronic itchy skin disorders. I see patients at my clinic in Wokingham, Berkshire.

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