ST43 Xiangu (Sunken Valley)
陷谷xiàn gǔXiangu
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23
Indications
22
Protocols
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Location
In the depression the distal to the junction of the 2nd and 3rd metatarsal bones.
Categories
- Shu-Stream point of the Stomach meridian
The classical groups this point belongs to, from Deadman, Al-Khafaji & Baker, A Manual of Acupuncture.
No specific contraindications.
Indications
Conditions for which ST43 is listed as indicated. An indication list is a reference index, not a prescription – see the protocols below for sourced treatments.
BelchingStomach RumblingCommon ColdAbdominal BloatingFever FullnessChest FullnessCostal Lateral FullnessToe Extending StiffnessToe Flexing StiffnessImmobility Toe ExtendingImmobility Toe FlexingMalariaEdemaOedema FacePainAbdominal PainTop of Foot PainShiveringSpontaneous Sweating SwellingSwollen EyesFacial Swelling
TCM actions
What classical sources say ST43 does in the terms of Chinese medicine theory. These describe the point, not a condition.
Benefit Regulate IntestinesBenefit Regulate SpleenBenefit Regulate StomachRegulate IntestinesRegulate SpleenRegulate Stomach
Protocols using ST43
- Limbs Numbness, Limbs Pain, Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy, Abnormal Sensation Limbs – LI04, LI10, LI11, LI15, ST09, ST31, ST32, ST34, ST36, ST40, ST43, ST44, SP03, SP06, SP08, SP09, SP10, BL13, BL17, BL18, BL20, BL23, GB34, CV04, CV06 (doi:10.1016/s0254-6272(10)60003-9 ↗)
- Constipation, Insomnia, Neuralgia Trigeminal, Irritability, Facial Pain – ST43, LV05 (doi:10.1016/s0254-6272(09)60043-1 ↗)
- Knee Pain, Osteoarthritis Knee, Disability Mobility – LI11, ST34, ST35, ST43, SP05, KD03, KD10, GB34 (doi:10.1093/ecam/nen080 ↗)
- Knee Pain, Osteoarthritis Knee, Stomach Deficiency – ST35, ST41, ST43, SP09, SI05, BL39, GB41 (doi:10.1186/1745-6215-14-129 ↗)
- Subarachnoid Hemorrhage, Vasospasm Cerebral, Neurological Deficit Delayed Ischemic – ST36, ST43, SP04, PC06 (doi:10.1186/s13063-015-0591-7 ↗)
- Neuropathy Peripheral, Neuropathic Pain, Paresthesia, Chemotherapy-Induced Neuropathy, Sensory Loss, Muscle Weakness – ST25, ST36, ST43, SP06, SP10, BL13, BL17, BL58, GB41, LV03, GV09, GV11, GV12, GV14 (doi:10.1186/s12885-016-3037-z ↗)
- Pruritus, Dermatitis Atopic, Sleep Disturbance, Skin Eczema – LI02, LI11, ST36, ST43, SP03, SI02, SI03, BL66, PC06, TB03, TB06, GB41, LV03 (doi:10.1155/2017/1926806 ↗)
- Dyspepsia, Pruritus, Dermatitis Atopic, Skin Dryness, Skin Erythema – LI02, LI11, ST36, ST43, SP03, SI02, SI03, BL66, PC06, TB03, TB06, GB41, LV03 (doi:10.1155/2019/1907578 ↗)
- Insomnia, Eczema, Dyspepsia, Pruritus, Dermatitis Atopic – LI02, LI11, ST36, ST43, SP03, SI02, SI03, BL66, PC06, TB03, TB06, GB41, LV03 (doi:10.1186/s12906-021-03306-1 ↗)
- Pruritus, Gastrointestinal Symptoms, Atopic Dermatitis, Eczema Skin – LI03, LI11, ST36, ST43, PC06, GB41 (doi:10.1155/2021/5584247 ↗)
- Pruritus, Atopic Dermatitis, Eczema Skin, Gastric Stiffness, Gastric Tenderness – LI11, ST36, ST43, PC06, GB41 (doi:10.1155/2021/5584247 ↗)
- Impotence, Erectile Dysfunction – ST43, ST44, SI05, BL23, LV02, LV03 (doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20200519-0008 ↗)
- Lumbar Pain, Herniation Lumbar Disc Acute, Restricted Lumbar Mobility – ST43, BL31, BL65, GB41 (doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20240411-0001 ↗)
- Neuropathic Pain, Neuropathy Peripheral Diabetic, Neuropathy Diabetic Peripheral – ST36, ST43, ST44, SP02, SP03 (doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20200720-0007 ↗)
- Eczema – LI11, ST36, ST43, SP10, GB34, GB41 (doi:10.3389/fmed.2026.1917396 ↗)
- Neuropathy Peripheral Chemotherapy-induced – ST25, ST36, ST43, SP06, SP10, BL13, BL17, BL58, GB41, LV03, GV09, GV11, GV12, GV14 (doi:10.1186/s12885-016-3037-z ↗)
- Injury Meniscal – ST43, ST44, SP02, SP03, BL65, BL66, GB41, GB43, LV02, LV03 (doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.2017.09.012 ↗)
- Dermatitis Atopic – LI03, LI11, ST36, ST43, PC06, GB41 (doi:10.1128/spectrum.03912-25 ↗)
- Fire Stomach, Fire Stomach – LI08, LI11, ST37, ST43, ST44 (Yang Yong-Xuan, clinical point-selection notes)
- Motor Dysfunction, Spinal Cord Injury, Paralysis Paraplegia – ST32, ST33, ST34, ST36, ST40, ST41, ST42, ST43, BL37, BL39, BL40, BL55, BL56, GB40 (Wang Yuanhui, Zhang Lei, Pan Guodong, Liu Jing, Zhang Hongrui, Song Xu, Wang Qiang. Traditional Chinese Medicine comprehensive therapy for the improvement of motor function in spinal cord injury patients. J Tradit Chin Med, 2016, 36(5): 618-624)
- Sah (subarachnoid Hemorrhage), Cerebral Vasospasm – ST36, ST43, SP04, PC06 (Acupuncture for Cerebral Vasospasm After Subarachnoid Hemorrhage. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02275949)
- Dysmenorrhea – ST43, ST44 (Randomized Controlled Trial of Acupuncture for Dysmenorrhea. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01116453)
Most often selected alongside ST43
How many sourced protocols in the index pair each point with ST43. Corpus frequency, not a combination to use.
- ST36Leg Three Miles14 protocols
- GB41Foot Governor Of Tears12 protocols
- LI11Pond At The Bend10 protocols
- PC06Inner Gate8 protocols
- LV03Great Surge7 protocols
- SP03Great White6 protocols
- ST44Inner Court6 protocols
- BL66Foot Valley Passage4 protocols
- SP10Sea Of Blood4 protocols
- BL13Lung Shu Point3 protocols
- BL17Diaphragm Shu Point3 protocols
- GB34Yang Mound Spring3 protocols