GB 33 — Xī Yáng Guān (膝阳关) — Knee Yang Gate
On this page
1. Overview
GB 33 — Xī Yáng Guān (膝阳关) — is an acupuncture point on the Gallbladder meridian. It is the primary local point in acupuncture for lateral knee pain, particularly iliotibial band friction syndrome and lateral compartment osteoarthritis.
I am Dr (TCM) Attilio D’Alberto, a member of the British Acupuncture Council with over 25 years of clinical experience. I use GB 33 as part of individually tailored acupuncture prescriptions at my clinic in Wokingham, Berkshire.
2. Location
3 cun above the lateral epicondyle of the femur (above GB 34), in the depression between the femur and the biceps femoris tendon.
3. Actions
- Activates the meridian and benefits the knee
- Dispels Wind-Damp from the knee
- Relaxes the sinews of the lateral thigh
4. Indications
- Lateral knee pain — the primary indication
- Iliotibial band (ITB) friction syndrome — runner’s knee
- Lateral compartment osteoarthritis of the knee
- Stiffness of the knee on flexion and extension
- Numbness of the lateral knee and thigh
- Crepitus on movement
5. Needling
Perpendicular insertion 0.5–1 cun.
6. Clinical notes
GB 33 is the upper-lateral counterpart to GB 34 just below. For ITB syndrome I combine GB 33 with GB 31 further up the thigh and Ahshi points along the lateral femoral condyle. For osteoarthritis of the knee I pair GB 33 with Xi Yan (medial and lateral eyes of the knee) and SP 9.
7. Treatment at my clinic
I treat ITB friction syndrome in runners, lateral compartment knee osteoarthritis and chronic lateral knee pain with bespoke acupuncture prescriptions incorporating GB 33. Book a consultation in Wokingham, Berkshire.
