Biguan (ST31)
Biguan (ST31), “Thigh Joint”, is a point on the Stomach meridian. It is point 31 of the 45 on the channel. Frees the channel at the hip and dispels Wind-Damp from the leg.
Location
On the anterior aspect of the thigh, level with the pubic symphysis, on the line from the anterior superior iliac spine to the patella.
Functions according to tradition
Frees the channel at the hip and dispels Wind-Damp from the leg.
Traditional indications
- Hip pain
- Leg weakness
- Thigh numbness
- Lower back pain
Indications described by tradition; they do not amount to proven clinical effectiveness for each one.
Precautions
No specific precautions are described beyond the general ones for acupuncture. Needling must always be performed by a trained professional.
Points on other channels with similar indications
They share several traditional indications with this point. Comparing them helps understand why one or the other is chosen.
- GB29 Juliao (Gallbladder): Hip pain, Leg weakness
- BL54 Zhibian (Bladder): Hip pain, Leg weakness
- BL58 Feiyang (Bladder): Leg weakness, Lower back pain
- BL36 Chengfu (Bladder): Leg weakness, Lower back pain
- BL37 Yinmen (Bladder): Leg weakness, Lower back pain
- GB30 Huantiao (Gallbladder): Hip pain
Point profile
- Code
- ST31
- Pinyin name
- Bì Guān
- Characters
- 髀关
- Translation
- Thigh Joint
- Meridian
- Stomach
- Element
- Earth
- Topics
- Hip, Leg, Pain
Health notice. Educational and study content. It describes concepts of Traditional Chinese Medicine and does not replace diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional. Needling, medicinal herbs and invasive techniques must be applied by trained professionals. Safety guide.
