ST1 Chengqi

Reviewed by · Licensed Acupuncturist & TCM Physician · Last reviewed June 2026

ST1 (Chengqi, “Chengqi”) is the Meeting point of ST, Ren, Yang Qiao point of the Stomach Meridian. It is located on the face, directly below the pupil when the eyes are looking straight ahead, in a depression on the infraorbital ridge, approximately 0.7 cun inferior to the lower eyelid. It expels wind from the face, brightens the eyes, clears heat, and stops lacrimation.

Location

On the face, directly below the pupil when the eyes are looking straight ahead, in a depression on the infraorbital ridge, approximately 0.7 cun inferior to the lower eyelid.

Needling

Perpendicular or oblique-inferior insertion along the infraorbital ridge, 0.5 to 1.0 cun. The eyeball is protected by pushing it superiorly during insertion. Deep insertion into the orbit is contraindicated.

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TCM functions

Expels wind from the face, brightens the eyes, clears heat, and stops lacrimation..

Indications

Deviation of the mouth and eye, twitching of the eye and face pulling the mouth and eye, unclear vision, cold tears, red and painful eyes, inability to speak, excessive tearing with much discharge, redness, pain, and itching of the inner canthus, growth of white film over the eye, eye twitching linked with the neck and mouth, inability to speak due to facial paralysis, blurred vision, night blindness, eye twitching, tearing, eye pain, eye itching, dim vision, green-white film over the eye, eye movement disorders..

Meeting point of ST, Ren, Yang Qiao

Clinical notes

As the first point on the Stomach channel, Chengqi is a primary local point for a wide array of eye disorders, from simple tearing and redness to more complex issues like facial paralysis affecting the eye, twitching, and visual disturbances. Its indications for both wind-related conditions (facial paralysis, twitching) and heat-related ones (redness, pain) make it versatile. Given the classical controversy and explicit warnings regarding both needling and moxibustion, modern practitioners must exercise extreme caution, protecting the eyeball and controlling needle depth precisely.

On the Stomach channel

ST1 is one of 45 points on the Stomach Meridian. Nearby points:

Frequently asked questions

Where is ST1 located?

ST1 (Chengqi) is located on the face, directly below the pupil when the eyes are looking straight ahead, in a depression on the infraorbital ridge, approximately 0.7 cun inferior to the lower eyelid.

What is ST1 used for?

ST1 expels wind from the face, brightens the eyes, clears heat, and stops lacrimation. Common clinical indications include deviation of the mouth and eye, twitching of the eye and face pulling the mouth and eye, unclear vision, cold tears, red and painful eyes, inability to speak, excessive tearing with much discharge, redness, pain, and itching of the inner canthus, growth of white film over the eye, eye twitching linked with the neck and mouth, inability to speak due to facial paralysis, blurred vision, night blindness, eye twitching, tearing, eye pain, eye itching, dim vision, green-white film over the eye, eye movement disorders.

How is ST1 needled?

Perpendicular or oblique-inferior insertion along the infraorbital ridge, 0.5 to 1.0 cun. The eyeball is protected by pushing it superiorly during insertion. Deep insertion into the orbit is contraindicated. Caution: Adjacent to the eyeball — press the globe aside, insert slowly without lifting/thrusting or rotating; do not needle deeply. Bruising is common. Multiple classics forbid or caution against moxibustion, citing risks of severe swelling, vision loss, or making the eye smaller. The Zhen Jiu Ju Ying and Zi Sheng Jing warn that needling too deeply can cause a dark discoloration of the eye. The Zi Sheng Jing notes that some sources forbid needling entirely, fearing it causes a dark discoloration of the eye. The Zhen Jiu Da Cheng states that needling can cause the eye to turn a 'bird color' (dark).

Which meridian is ST1 on?

ST1 is a point on the Stomach Meridian (Zú Yángmíng Wèijīng).

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⚠️ This page is for general education and is not medical advice. Acupuncture is a traditional practice; evidence varies by condition and study quality, and individual results differ. It does not replace diagnosis or treatment by a licensed professional. Always consult a qualified acupuncturist or physician.