Tiaokou (ST38)
Tiaokou (ST38), “Ribbon Opening”, is a point on the Stomach meridian. It is point 38 of the 45 on the channel. Frees the channel and releases the shoulder: a distal point for frozen shoulder.
Location
On the anterior aspect of the leg, on the ST35-ST41 line, 8 cun below ST35.
Functions according to tradition
Frees the channel and releases the shoulder: a distal point for frozen shoulder.
Traditional indications
- Frozen shoulder
- Shoulder pain
- Leg pain
- Foot weakness
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.
- SI9 Jianzhen (Small Intestine): Frozen shoulder, Shoulder pain
- TE14 Jianliao (San Jiao (Triple Burner)): Frozen shoulder, Shoulder pain
- LI16 Jugu (Large Intestine): Shoulder pain
- SI10 Naoshu (Small Intestine): Shoulder pain
- SI12 Bingfeng (Small Intestine): Shoulder pain
- SI6 Yanglao (Small Intestine): Shoulder pain
Point profile
- Code
- ST38
- Pinyin name
- Tiáo Kǒu
- Characters
- 条口
- Translation
- Ribbon Opening
- Meridian
- Stomach
- Element
- Earth
- Topics
- Shoulder, 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.
