ST43 (Xiangu, “Sunken Valley”) is the Shu-Stream point point of the Stomach Meridian. It is located on the dorsum of the foot, in the depression proximal to the junction of the second and third metatarsal bones, 2 cun posterior to the web margin (Neiting, ST44). It harmonizes the Stomach and intestines, clears Heat, resolves Dampness and swelling, calms the spirit.
On the dorsum of the foot, in the depression proximal to the junction of the second and third metatarsal bones, 2 cun posterior to the web margin (Neiting, ST44).
Perpendicular insertion 0.5 to 1.0 cun.
Harmonizes the Stomach and intestines, clears Heat, resolves Dampness and swelling, calms the spirit.
Abdominal pain, abdominal fullness, abdominal distension, belching, borborygmus, borborygmus with pain, water swelling (edema), facial swelling, eye swelling, eye pain, retention of fluid in the chest and hypochondrium, cough with upward qi, heat diseases, foot pain along the channel, arm pain, fever with inability to sweat, aversion to people and fire, easily startled by the sound of wood, desire to be alone, desire to ascend to high places and sing, desire to cast off clothes and run naked, mania, malaria.
As the Shu-Stream and Wood point of the Stomach channel, ST43 excels at treating edema and swelling, particularly on the face, as it strongly promotes the movement of qi and water. It is also a key distal point for various abdominal issues like pain, fullness, and borborygmus, reflecting its function of regulating the Stomach Fu. Its indications for mania and other psycho-emotional disturbances highlight the Stomach channel's connection to the spirit, especially when heat is involved.
Classical text; the translation was prepared with AI and is not clinical advice.
《普濟方·針灸門》 Pǔjì Fāng · Zhēnjiǔ Mén — Formulas for Universal Relief: Acupuncture & Moxibustion Section, Zhu Su, 1406 · 卷四百十六 · 針灸門 · 足陽明胃經左右三十二穴 · Source: jicheng.tw ↗
陷谷二穴 木也。 在足大指次指外間本節後陷中。 去內庭二寸。 針三分。 留七呼。 灸三壯According to this text, ST43 is a wood point lying between the second and third toes, in the depression behind the joint, 2 cun from Neiting; it is needled 0.3 cun, retained for 7 breaths, with 3 moxa cones.
《子午流注針經》 Zǐwǔ Liúzhù Zhēnjīng — Needling Classic of the Midday-Midnight Flow, Yan Mingguang, c. 1153 · 卷下 · 針經井滎歌訣 · Source: jicheng.tw ↗
陷谷胃俞節後邊，腹痛腸鳴痎瘧纏，
面目浮腫汗不出，三分針入得復痊The verse records that ST43, the shu point of the stomach behind the joint, was used for abdominal pain, borborygmi, lingering jie-malaria, and puffy face and eyes without sweating, saying that after needling 0.3 cun the patient recovered.
《針灸逢源》 Zhēnjiǔ Féngyuán — Sources of Acupuncture & Moxibustion, Li Xuechuan, 1815 · 卷五 · 證治參詳 · 傷寒熱病門 · Source: jicheng.tw ↗
熱無度汗不出 陷谷（泄陽明之熱）The text records that ST43 was used for unremitting heat without sweating, in order to drain the heat of yangming.
ST43 is one of 45 points on the Stomach Meridian. Nearby points:
ST43 (Xiangu) is located on the dorsum of the foot, in the depression proximal to the junction of the second and third metatarsal bones, 2 cun posterior to the web margin (Neiting, ST44).
ST43 harmonizes the Stomach and intestines, clears Heat, resolves Dampness and swelling, calms the spirit. Common clinical indications include abdominal pain, abdominal fullness, abdominal distension, belching, borborygmus, borborygmus with pain, water swelling (edema), facial swelling, eye swelling, eye pain, retention of fluid in the chest and hypochondrium, cough with upward qi, heat diseases, foot pain along the channel, arm pain, fever with inability to sweat, aversion to people and fire, easily startled by the sound of wood, desire to be alone, desire to ascend to high places and sing, desire to cast off clothes and run naked, mania, malaria.
Perpendicular insertion 0.5 to 1.0 cun.
ST43 is a point on the Stomach Meridian (Zú Yángmíng Wèijīng).