ST 41 — Jiě Xī (解溪) — Stream Divide
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1. Overview
ST 41 — Jiě Xī (解溪) — is the Jing-River and Fire point of the Stomach meridian. It is the principal local point in acupuncture for anterior ankle pain and a key point in the rehabilitation of ankle sprains.
I am Dr (TCM) Attilio D’Alberto, a member of the British Acupuncture Council with over 25 years of clinical experience. I use ST 41 as part of individually tailored acupuncture prescriptions at my clinic in Wokingham, Berkshire.
2. Location
On the centre of the anterior ankle crease, in the depression between the tendons of extensor hallucis longus and extensor digitorum longus.
3. Actions
- Activates the meridian and benefits the ankle
- Clears Heat from the Stomach
- Pacifies the Shen and calms anxiety
4. Indications
- Anterior ankle pain and sprain — the primary indication
- Stiffness of the ankle after immobilisation
- Foot drop following stroke or peroneal nerve injury
- Headache, especially frontal
- Dizziness
- Anxiety and emotional restlessness
- Constipation
5. Needling
Perpendicular insertion 0.5–1 cun, avoiding the dorsal artery of the foot.
6. Clinical notes
For ankle sprain I use ST 41 with GB 40, SP 5 and BL 60 to encircle the joint. As the Fire point of an Earth channel, ST 41 also has psychiatric applications — the classical text describes it for “mania with desire to climb and sing” — and in modern practice it is useful for stress-related agitation.
7. Treatment at my clinic
I treat acute and chronic ankle sprains, anterior ankle impingement, foot drop and stiff ankle in arthritis with acupuncture prescriptions incorporating ST 41. Book a consultation in Wokingham, Berkshire.
