ST 36 — Zú Sān Lǐ (足三里) — Leg Three Miles
On this page
1. Overview
ST 36 — Zú Sān Lǐ (足三里) — is an acupuncture point on the Stomach meridian. Its English name, Leg Three Miles, reflects the point’s classical character and location. It is one of the most clinically important points in acupuncture practice and is used regularly in the treatment of a range of conditions.
I am Dr (TCM) Attilio D’Alberto, a member of the British Acupuncture Council with over 25 years of clinical experience. I use ST 36 as part of individually tailored acupuncture prescriptions at my clinic in Wokingham, Berkshire.
2. Location
3 cun below ST 35 (Dubi), one finger-breadth lateral to the anterior crest of the tibia.
3. Actions
- Tonifies Qi and Blood — one of the most powerful tonifying points on the body
- Strengthens the Spleen and Stomach
- Raises the clear Yang and lifts prolapse
- Regulates the Stomach and harmonises the Middle Jiao
- Supports the correct Qi and expels pathogenic factors
- Activates the meridian and relieves pain in the lower limb
- Calms the Mind
4. Indications
- Fatigue, weakness and general deficiency — the most important tonifying point in the body
- Poor appetite, nausea, vomiting and epigastric pain from Stomach weakness
- Diarrhoea and digestive disorders from Spleen Qi deficiency
- Knee pain and lower limb weakness
- Anaemia and post-illness recovery
- Immune deficiency and recurrent infections
- Chronic disease and convalescence
- Fertility — tonifies Qi and Blood to support egg quality and uterine health
5. Needling
Perpendicular insertion 1.0–2.0 cun. Strong De Qi expected. Moxibustion frequently and powerfully applied — one of the most important moxibustion points on the body.
Important: Acupuncture should only be performed by a fully qualified practitioner. Never attempt self-needling. All needles I use are sterile, single-use and disposed of immediately after treatment in a clinical sharps container.
6. Clinical notes
ST 36 is arguably the most important acupuncture point in the entire body and is used in nearly every clinical treatment. It is the He-Sea point and Earth point of the Stomach meridian. Classical texts state that moxibustion at ST 36 prevents a thousand diseases — it was the most important preventive medicine point in traditional East Asian practice, used to build immunity and longevity. In modern practice it is the primary point for immune support, post-illness recovery, and is an essential component of fertility, pain and digestive protocols. The combination ST 36 + SP 6 is one of the most frequently used two-point combinations in clinical acupuncture.
7. Treatment at my clinic
I use ST 36 as part of tailored acupuncture prescriptions for conditions including Chronic fatigue syndrome, Digestive disorders, Fertility, Knee pain, Irritable bowel syndrome. Each treatment is individually designed following a full TCM assessment.
I see patients in person at my clinic in Wokingham, Berkshire. Visit the prices page for consultation fees. Return to the acupuncture points directory or the acupuncture main page.
