Location
On the midline of the lateral aspect of the thigh, 7 thumb widths above the transverse popliteal crease; when patient is standing erect with hands close to the sides, point is where tip of the middle finger touches.
Cautions
No specific contraindications.
Indications
Conditions for which GB31 is listed as indicated. An indication list is a reference index, not a prescription – see the protocols below for sourced treatments.
Muscle WastingContraction KneeContraction KneeDisease HipDisease HipDisease KneeDisease KneeHemiplegiaSitting StiffnessImmobility SittingItchinessLeg NumbnessLeg NumbnessPainKnee PainKnee PainQi LegQi LegSciaticaHeaviness Leg SensationHeaviness Leg SensationChannel StagnationChannel StagnationStrain QuadricepsStrain QuadricepsBi Arthralgia Cold SyndromeBi / Arthralgia Cold SyndromeBi Arthralgia Leg SyndromeBi / Arthralgia Leg SyndromeHivesLeg WeaknessLeg WeaknessWind
Protocols using GB31
- Urticaria Chronic Wind-cold Type – SI12, BL12, TB17, GB20, GB31, GV16 (https://doi.org/10.27021/d.cnki.gfjzc.2025.000109)
- Pruritus Skin, Eczema Acute – SI12, BL12, TB17, GB20, GB31, GV16 (https://doi.org/10.26988/d.cnki.gcdzu.2024.000120)
- Post-stroke Depression – LU04, LI04, LI06, LI07, LI10, LI11, LI12, LI13, LI15, ST02, ST32, ST33, ST34, ST36, ST37, ST39, ST40, ST44, SP06, SP10, SP11, HT05, BL15, BL20, BL23, BL61, BL64, KD02, KD03, PC02, PC03, PC06, TB03, TB06, TB07, TB09, TB12, TB14, GB20, GB31, GB33, GB43, LV02, LV03, LV05, LV14, GV20, GV23, GV26 (Acupuncture for Ischemic Post-stroke Depression. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02472613)
- Hemiplegia, Shoulder Pain, Post-stroke Pain – LI11, LI15, ST36, GB21, GB31, GB39 (https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-025-04891-1)
- Leg Pain, Buttock Pain, Low Back Pain, Mobility Reduced, Spinal Stenosis Lumbar, Neurogenic Claudication – ST36, ST40, BL22, BL23, BL24, BL25, BL26, BL53, BL54, GB30, GB31, GB34, LV03, GV03, GV04, GV05 (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.imr.2025.101204)
- Pain, Post-stroke – LI11, LI15, ST36, GB21, GB31, GB39 (https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins13090608)
- Sciatica, Leg Numbness, Back Low Pain, Herniation Disc Lumbar – BL40, BL54, BL57, BL60, GB30, GB31, GB34, GB39 (https://doi.org/10.1155/prm/9030734)
- Sciatica, Low Back Pain, Spondylolisthesis Lumbar Degenerative – BL23, BL40, BL54, BL57, GB30, GB31, GB34, GV02, GV03, GV04 (https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/6016542)
- Hip Pain, Postoperative Pain – LI04, ST36, PC06, GB31 (Lan F et al.. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on acupoints reduces fentanyl requirement for postoperative pain relief after total hip arthroplasty in elderly patients.. Minerva anestesiologica, 2012)
- Knee Pain, Swollen Knee, Limited Range Of Motion Knee – ST31, ST32, ST38, SP06, BL23, BL25, BL37, BL57, BL60, KD03, GB31, GB39, GB40, GB41, GB42, LV03 (Mikashima Y, Takagi T, Tomatsu T, Horikoshi M, Ikari K, Momohara S. Efficacy of acupuncture during post-acute phase of rehabilitation after total knee arthroplasty. J Tradit Chin Med 2012; 32(4): 545-548)
- Neuropathic Pain, Post-stroke Pain, Central Pain – LI11, LI15, ST36, GB21, GB31, GB39 (https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000022611)
- Pruritus Uremic, Kidney Disease Chronic, Pruritus Dialysis – LI11, ST36, SP10, BL17, GB31 (https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2022.1036072)