ST41 (Jiexi, “Stream Untied”) is the Jing-River point point of the Stomach Meridian. It is located on the dorsum of the foot, at the midpoint of the ankle crease, in the depression between the tendons of the extensor digitorum longus and extensor hallucis longus, approximately 1.5 cun posterior to ST42 (Chongyang). It clears Heat from the Stomach channel and Fu, calms the Spirit, activates the channel and alleviates pain, resolves Damp-Heat.
On the dorsum of the foot, at the midpoint of the ankle crease, in the depression between the tendons of the extensor digitorum longus and extensor hallucis longus, approximately 1.5 cun posterior to ST42 (Chongyang).
Perpendicular insertion 0.5 to 1.0 cun.
Clears Heat from the Stomach channel and Fu, calms the Spirit, activates the channel and alleviates pain, resolves Damp-Heat.
Abdominal distention and heaviness, delirious speech from stomach heat, epilepsy with fever and chills, vexation and fullness, frequent yawning, weeping, convulsions with fright, facial swelling with a dark complexion, eye diseases with a white film over the pupil, mouth pain, biting the tongue, heat disease with absence of sweating, belching, cholera, leg muscle cramps, damp impediment (Bi) with heavy knees, foot drop, weakness of the legs and feet.
As the Jing-River and Fire point of the Stomach channel, Jiexi is a primary point for clearing intense heat from the channel and organ, especially when it manifests in the head with facial swelling, headache, or mental disturbances like mania and delirium. It is also a crucial local point for any condition affecting the ankle joint, such as sprains, arthritis, or pain, and is effective for treating foot drop and weakness in the lower leg by activating the channel.
Classical text; the translation was prepared with AI and is not clinical advice.
《黃帝明堂灸經》 Huángdì Míngtáng Jiǔjīng — The Yellow Emperor's Bright Hall Moxibustion Classic, Tang · 卷上 · 正人形第十八 · Source: jicheng.tw ↗
解谿 二穴，在系鞋處陷者中。 灸三壯。 主上氣喘息，咳嗽急，腹中積氣上下行，及目生白翳也According to this text, ST41 lies in the depression where the shoe is tied and receives 3 moxa cones; it was used for upward qi with panting, urgent coughing, accumulated qi moving up and down in the abdomen, and white nebulae forming in the eyes.
《扁鵲神應針灸玉龍經》 Biǎn Què Shényìng Zhēnjiǔ Yùlóng Jīng — Bian Que's Jade Dragon Classic of Divinely Responsive Acupuncture & Moxibustion, 1329 · 脚背痛 · Source: Wikisource ↗
解溪∶在足腕上大筋外宛宛中。 针半寸，灸七壮，如头重、头风，先补后泻，此即草鞋带穴也According to this text, ST41 lies above the ankle, outside the large tendon in the hollow, is needled half a cun with 7 moxa cones, and for heavy head or head wind one first tonifies and then drains; it is described as the straw-sandal strap point.
《醫宗金鑑·刺灸心法要訣》 Yīzōng Jīnjiàn · Cìjiǔ Xīnfǎ Yàojué — Golden Mirror of Medicine: Essential Teachings on Acupuncture & Moxibustion, Wu Qian et al., 1742 · 卷七 · 足部主病針灸要穴歌 · Source: jicheng.tw ↗
解谿主治風水氣，面腹足腫喘嗽頻，氣逆發噎頭風眩，悲泣癲狂悸與驚The verse records that ST41 was used for wind-water qi, swelling of the face, abdomen and feet, frequent panting and coughing, qi counterflow causing choking, head wind with dizziness, sorrowful weeping, mania, palpitations and fright.
《針灸甲乙經》 Zhēnjiǔ Jiǎyǐ Jīng — Systematic Classic of Acupuncture & Moxibustion, c. 256–282 · 卷07 · Source: Wikisource ↗
瘧熱少氣，間寒不能自溫膝重，轉筋，頭眩痛，解溪主之The text records that ST41 was used for malarial heat with shortness of qi, intermittent cold that the patient cannot warm, heavy knees, cramps, and dizziness with headache.
ST41 is one of 45 points on the Stomach Meridian. Nearby points:
ST41 (Jiexi) is located on the dorsum of the foot, at the midpoint of the ankle crease, in the depression between the tendons of the extensor digitorum longus and extensor hallucis longus, approximately 1.5 cun posterior to ST42 (Chongyang).
ST41 clears Heat from the Stomach channel and Fu, calms the Spirit, activates the channel and alleviates pain, resolves Damp-Heat. Common clinical indications include abdominal distention and heaviness, delirious speech from stomach heat, epilepsy with fever and chills, vexation and fullness, frequent yawning, weeping, convulsions with fright, facial swelling with a dark complexion, eye diseases with a white film over the pupil, mouth pain, biting the tongue, heat disease with absence of sweating, belching, cholera, leg muscle cramps, damp impediment (Bi) with heavy knees, foot drop, weakness of the legs and feet.
Perpendicular insertion 0.5 to 1.0 cun.
ST41 is a point on the Stomach Meridian (Zú Yángmíng Wèijīng).