ST39 (Xiajuxu, “Lower Great Void”) is the Lower He-Sea of the Small Intestine point of the Stomach Meridian. It is located on the anterior aspect of the lower leg, 9 cun inferior to ST35 (Dubi) and 3 cun inferior to ST37 (Shangjuxu), one finger-breadth lateral to the anterior crest of the tibia. It regulates and clears the Small Intestine, transforms Damp-Heat, alleviates pain, and calms the spirit.
On the anterior aspect of the lower leg, 9 cun inferior to ST35 (Dubi) and 3 cun inferior to ST37 (Shangjuxu), one finger-breadth lateral to the anterior crest of the tibia.
Perpendicular insertion 1.0 to 1.5 cun.
Regulates and clears the Small Intestine, transforms Damp-Heat, alleviates pain, and calms the spirit.
Small intestine qi deficiency, pale complexion, hemiplegia, leg paralysis, inability of the foot to touch the ground, heat-wind, cold-damp impediment that is unresponsive, wind-damp impediment, throat impediment, leg qi deficiency, leg heaviness, dry lips, unconscious drooling, inability to sweat, withered hair, flesh falling away, aversion to food, purulent and bloody stool, pain in the chest, ribs, and lower abdomen referring to the testicles, post-coital taxation, heat in front of the ear, severe cold, heat on one shoulder, heat and pain between the little and ring fingers, sudden fright and mania, incoherent speech, female breast abscess, inability to flex the foot, heel pain, wind-damp leg pain.
As the Lower He-Sea point of the Small Intestine, ST39 is a primary point for treating disorders of that organ, particularly Damp-Heat conditions like dysentery with pus and blood, or abdominal pain. It is also a crucial distal point for pain and motor impairment of the lower limb, such as leg paralysis, weakness, and difficulty walking. Its connection to the Small Intestine channel also explains its use for pain along the channel's pathway, such as shoulder or finger pain, and for certain psycho-emotional disorders like mania.
Classical text; the translation was prepared with AI and is not clinical advice.
《備急千金要方》 Bèijí Qiānjīn Yàofāng — Essential Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold for Emergencies, c. 650 · 第三十 · Source: Wikisource ↗
乳癰，驚，痺，脛重，足跗不收，跟痛，刺下廉，入三分，灸三壯，在上廉下三寸The text records that ST39 (Xialian), 3 cun below Shanglian, was needled 0.3 cun with 3 moxa cones for breast abscess, fright, bi, heavy shins, slack insteps, and heel pain.
《醫學入門》 Yīxué Rùmén — Introduction to Medicine, Li Chan, 1575 · 经穴起止 · Source: Wikisource ↗
下巨虚三里下六寸，针入三分，灸三壮。 主发枯唇干，口中流涎，次指间痛，胃热不食，泄脓血，胸胁小腹痛，乳痈，暴惊狂，小便难，寒湿下注，足胫跗痛肉脱According to this text, ST39 lies 6 cun below Sanli, needled 0.3 cun with 3 moxa cones; it was used for withered hair and dry lips, drooling, pain between the toes, stomach heat with no eating, diarrhoea with pus and blood, pain of the chest, flanks and lower abdomen, breast abscess, sudden fright and mania, difficult urination, cold-damp pouring downward, and pain with wasting of the shin and instep.
ST39 is one of 45 points on the Stomach Meridian. Nearby points:
ST39 (Xiajuxu) is located on the anterior aspect of the lower leg, 9 cun inferior to ST35 (Dubi) and 3 cun inferior to ST37 (Shangjuxu), one finger-breadth lateral to the anterior crest of the tibia.
ST39 regulates and clears the Small Intestine, transforms Damp-Heat, alleviates pain, and calms the spirit. Common clinical indications include small intestine qi deficiency, pale complexion, hemiplegia, leg paralysis, inability of the foot to touch the ground, heat-wind, cold-damp impediment that is unresponsive, wind-damp impediment, throat impediment, leg qi deficiency, leg heaviness, dry lips, unconscious drooling, inability to sweat, withered hair, flesh falling away, aversion to food, purulent and bloody stool, pain in the chest, ribs, and lower abdomen referring to the testicles, post-coital taxation, heat in front of the ear, severe cold, heat on one shoulder, heat and pain between the little and ring fingers, sudden fright and mania, incoherent speech, female breast abscess, inability to flex the foot, heel pain, wind-damp leg pain.
Perpendicular insertion 1.0 to 1.5 cun.
ST39 is a point on the Stomach Meridian (Zú Yángmíng Wèijīng).