ST32 (Futu, “Futu”) is an acupuncture point on the Stomach Meridian. It is located on the anterior aspect of the thigh, on a line connecting the anterior superior iliac spine and the superolateral corner of the patella, 6 cun superior to the patella. The point is located on the prominence of the rectus femoris muscle, which resembles a crouching rabbit when the knee is flexed. It expels wind and dampness, alleviates pain and numbness in the leg, soothes the sinews, and calms the spirit for certain types of mania.
On the anterior aspect of the thigh, on a line connecting the anterior superior iliac spine and the superolateral corner of the patella, 6 cun superior to the patella. The point is located on the prominence of the rectus femoris muscle, which resembles a crouching rabbit when the knee is flexed.
Perpendicular insertion 1.0 to 2.0 cun.
Expels wind and dampness, alleviates pain and numbness in the leg, soothes the sinews, and calms the spirit for certain types of mania.
Pain and soreness along the Stomach channel pathway on the thigh, knee, and lower leg, coldness of the knee, numbness of the leg, wind-labor (wind-induced consumptive disease), reversed qi, madness and demonic afflictions, hand contracture, generalized urticaria (yin zhen), abdominal distention, lack of qi, heaviness in the head, beriberi (jiao qi), various gynecological diseases, lumbar pain, weakness and paralysis of the lower limbs (wei bi), thigh muscle spasms, inguinal hernia, pain in the lower abdomen radiating to the throat.
Futu is a primary local point for treating pain, weakness, paralysis, and cold sensations in the thigh and knee, particularly conditions affecting the quadriceps muscle. Its classical indications for wind-related disorders like urticaria and mania (kuang xie) show its ability to address both external wind and internal wind-phlegm affecting the mind. While primarily used for leg disorders, its connection to the Yangming channel pathway also gives it a role in treating referred abdominal pain.
Classical text; the translation was prepared with AI and is not clinical advice.
《針灸甲乙經》 Zhēnjiǔ Jiǎyǐ Jīng — Systematic Classic of Acupuncture & Moxibustion, c. 256–282 · 卷03 · Source: Wikisource ↗
伏兔，在膝上六寸起肉間，足陽明脈氣所發，刺入五分，禁不可灸According to this text, ST32 lies 6 cun above the knee in the raised flesh, where the qi of the foot yangming vessel issues; it is needled 0.5 cun and moxibustion is forbidden.
《針灸大成》 Zhēnjiǔ Dàchéng — Great Compendium of Acupuncture & Moxibustion, 1601 · 卷十 · Source: Wikisource ↗
伏兔 在陰市上三寸起肉上，正跪坐取之，針五分，禁灸According to this text, ST32 lies 3 cun above Yinshi on the raised flesh, found with the patient kneeling upright; it is needled 0.5 cun and moxibustion is forbidden.
《醫學入門》 Yīxué Rùmén — Introduction to Medicine, Li Chan, 1575 · 臀痈（附臀蛆疮） 便毒 路岐 悬痈（附谷道中疮） 痔漏 阴疮 阴囊痈（附小儿阴囊生疮）妇人阴疮（附交接出血） 附骨疽（附腿上寒湿疮） 杖疮 · Source: Wikisource ↗
凡痈疽生伏兔穴者，不治The text states that yong-ju abscesses arising at the ST32 (Futu) point were regarded as beyond treatment.
《類經圖翼》 Lèijīng Túyì — Illustrated Wings to the Classified Canon, Zhang Jiebin, 1624 · 卷六 · 經絡（四） · 足陽明胃經穴 · Source: jicheng.tw ↗
伏兔 在膝上六寸，起肉間，正跪坐而取之。 一云在膝蓋上七寸，左右各三指按捺，上有肉起如兔狀，因以此名。 刺五分，禁灸。 千金云：狂邪鬼語，灸百壯，亦可五十壯。 主治腳氣膝冷不得溫，風痹，婦人八部諸疾According to this text, ST32 lies 6 cun above the knee in the raised flesh, found kneeling upright; another account puts it 7 cun above the kneecap, where pressing with three fingers on each side reveals flesh rising like a hare, hence the name. It is needled 0.5 cun with moxibustion forbidden, though the Qianjin gives 100 or 50 cones for manic possession with ghost-talk; it was used for leg qi with cold knees, wind-bi and various women's disorders.
ST32 is one of 45 points on the Stomach Meridian. Nearby points:
ST32 (Futu) is located on the anterior aspect of the thigh, on a line connecting the anterior superior iliac spine and the superolateral corner of the patella, 6 cun superior to the patella. The point is located on the prominence of the rectus femoris muscle, which resembles a crouching rabbit when the knee is flexed.
ST32 expels wind and dampness, alleviates pain and numbness in the leg, soothes the sinews, and calms the spirit for certain types of mania. Common clinical indications include pain and soreness along the Stomach channel pathway on the thigh, knee, and lower leg, coldness of the knee, numbness of the leg, wind-labor (wind-induced consumptive disease), reversed qi, madness and demonic afflictions, hand contracture, generalized urticaria (yin zhen), abdominal distention, lack of qi, heaviness in the head, beriberi (jiao qi), various gynecological diseases, lumbar pain, weakness and paralysis of the lower limbs (wei bi), thigh muscle spasms, inguinal hernia, pain in the lower abdomen radiating to the throat.
Perpendicular insertion 1.0 to 2.0 cun. Caution: Multiple classical sources, including the Jia Yi Jing, Zi Sheng Jing, and Qian Jin Yao Fang, explicitly forbid moxibustion on this point. The Qian Jin Yao Fang also lists it as a point where needling is forbidden, although this contradicts its own recommendation in the Jia Yi Jing to needle 0.5 cun. This suggests a historical debate and the need for caution.
ST32 is a point on the Stomach Meridian (Zú Yángmíng Wèijīng).