# ST31 Biguan (Thigh Gate) – Stomach Meridian

髀關 · bì guān

Location: On the anterior side of the thigh on the line connecting asis and laterosuperior corner of the patella on the level of the inferior pubis symphasis when thigh is fixed in the depression the lateral to the sartorius.

Cautions: Caution with depth near femoral vessels.

Canonical page: https://acuiq.com/points/st31

## Indications

An indication list is a reference index, not a prescription – see the protocols below for sourced treatments.

Muscle Wasting, Cold Qi Leg, Cold Qi Leg, Contraction Thigh Muscles, Contraction Thigh Muscles, Damp Qi Leg, Damp Qi Leg, Disease Hip, Disease Hip, Disease Knee, Disease Knee, Disease Rectus Femoris, Disease Rectus Femoris, Hemiplegia, Stiff Knee, Leg Sartorius Strain Stiffness, Immobility Knee, Immobility Leg Sartorius Strain, Jaundice, Leg Numbness, Leg Numbness, Pain, Back Inferior Iliopsoas Pain, Back Inferior Iliopsoas Pain, Lower Back Pain, Lower Back Pain, Hip Joint Pain, Hip Joint Pain, Thigh Pain, Thigh Pain, Sciatica, Channel Stagnation, Channel Stagnation, Bi Arthralgia Cold Syndrome, Bi / Arthralgia Cold Syndrome, Bi Arthralgia Knees Syndrome, Bi / Arthralgia Knees Syndrome, Bi Arthralgia Leg Syndrome, Bi / Arthralgia Leg Syndrome, Wind Damp Syndrome, Wind-damp Syndrome

## Most often selected alongside ST31

Sourced protocols in the index pairing each point with this one. Corpus frequency, not a combination to use.

- ST36 (Leg Three Miles) – 23 protocols
- GB34 (Yang Mound Spring) – 21 protocols
- SP10 (Sea Of Blood) – 15 protocols
- ST32 (Crouching Rabbit) – 14 protocols
- GB30 (Jumping Circle) – 13 protocols
- ST34 (Ridge Mound) – 12 protocols
- GB39 (Suspended Bell) – 11 protocols
- LV03 (Great Surge) – 11 protocols

## Protocols using ST31

| Symptoms | Points | Course | Source | Kind | Caveat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ischemic Stroke, Paralysis Hemiplegia, Lower Limb Weakness, Upper Limb Weakness, Disability Activities Of Daily Living | LI04, LI10, LI11, LI15, ST25, ST31, ST36, ST40, SP06, SP10, SP15, TB06, GB34, LV03, CV04, CV06, CV10, CV12 | 56 days | doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2015-010073 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Limb Weakness, Atrophy Muscle, Muscle Weakness, Icu-acquired Weakness | LI11, LI15, ST31, ST36, GB34 | 28 days | doi:10.1155/2021/3539651 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Stroke Sequelae, Stroke Post, Paralysis Ankle, Ankle Joint Problems, Ankle Dysfunction | ST31, ST34, ST36, ST37, ST40, ST41, SP10, KD06, GB34, GB39, GB40, LV03 | 21 days | doi:10.27127/d.cnki.ghlzu.2024.000593 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Stroke Sequelae, Stroke Post, Paralysis Ankle, Ankle Joint Problems, Ankle Dysfunction | ST31, ST34, ST36, ST37, ST40, ST41, SP10, BL39, KD06, GB34, GB39, GB40, LV03 | 21 days | doi:10.27127/d.cnki.ghlzu.2024.000593 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Atrophy Muscle, Muscle Weakness, Sarcopenia | ST31, ST32, ST36, GB34 | 84 days | doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000049033 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Bone Pain, Leg Numbness, Cancer Lung, Bone Metastasis | ST31, ST32, ST36, BL23, BL25, BL54, BL60, GB31, GB34, GB41, LV03 | 28 days | doi:10.3389/fonc.2026.1684346 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Paralysis, Leg Weakness, Cancer Lung, Spinal Metastasis | ST31, ST36, SP06, BL36, GB30, GB34, GB39, LV03, GV20 | – | doi:10.3389/fmed.2026.1815886 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Stroke, Hemiplegia, Paralysis Spastic, Spasticity Post-stroke | LI04, LI11, LI15, ST31, GB31, LV03 | 28 days | doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20240312-k0002 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Knee Pain, Osteoarthritis Knee, Stiffness Knee, Postoperative Pain | ST31, ST32, ST34, ST35, ST36, SP09, SP10, BL24, BL25, BL40, GB29, GB30, GB34, LV08, LV09, XL02, XL05A | 28 days | doi:10.2147/JPR.S453133 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Dysphagia, Muscle Weakness, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis | LI10, LI11, LI14, LI15, ST31, ST32, ST34, ST35, ST36, ST41, SP06, SP10, BL36, BL37, BL40, BL57, GB20, GB30, GB31, GV20, XL05A | 30 days | doi:10.1097/md.0000000000033612 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Knee Pain, Osteoarthritis Knee, Postoperative Pain | ST31, ST32, ST34, ST35, ST36, SP09, SP10, BL24, BL25, BL40, GB29, GB30, GB34, LV08, LV09, XL02, XL05A | 28 days | doi:10.2147/JPR.S453133 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Sarcopenia | ST31, ST32, ST36, GB34 | 84 days | doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000049033 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Paralysis Paraplegia, Cancer Lung | ST31, ST36, SP06, BL36, GB30, GB34, GB39, LV03, GV20 | – | doi:10.3389/fmed.2026.1815886 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Spleen Qi Deficiency, Spleen Qi Deficiency | ST21, ST31, ST32, ST33, ST34, ST36, SP03, SP05, SP06, SI06, BL20 | 7 days | Yang Yong-Xuan, clinical point-selection notes | text | Point selection recorded in a clinical text or case report. |
| Constipation, Urinary Incontinence, Thigh Pain, Lumbar Pain, Urinary Frequent, Urinary Urgent, Lower Limbs Weakness | LI04, ST25, ST31, ST32, SP06, SP10, KD03, GB31, CV04, CV06, GV20 | 20 days | HU Jin-sheng. Acupuncture Treatment of Prostatitis. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2010, 30(1): 66-67 | text | Point selection recorded in a clinical text or case report. |
| 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 | 98 days | ZHANG Cheng, MA Yuan-xu, YAN Ye. Clinical Effects of Acupuncture for Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2010, 30(1): 13-14 | text | Point selection recorded in a clinical text or case report. |
| Stroke, Hemiplegia, Paralysis Arm, Paralysis Leg, Spasticity | LI04, LI10, LI14, LI15, ST31, ST32, ST36, ST40, ST41, SP06, SP10, BL60, TB05, GB34, LV03, CV04 | 60 days | Wu Yong. Effects of Electroacupuncture at the Nerve Trunk for Treatment of Apoplectic Hemiplegia at the Spastic Stage. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2008, 28(3): 183-185 | text | Point selection recorded in a clinical text or case report. |
| Stroke, Hemiplegia, Paralysis Arm, Paralysis Leg, Spasticity, Speech Unclear | LI04, LI10, LI14, LI15, ST31, ST32, ST36, ST41, TB05, GB34, LV03 | 40 days | Wu Yong. Effects of Electroacupuncture at the Nerve Trunk for Treatment of Apoplectic Hemiplegia at the Spastic Stage. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2008, 28(3): 183-185 | text | Point selection recorded in a clinical text or case report. |
| 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 | 15 days | 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 | text | Point selection recorded in a clinical text or case report. |
| Lower Limb Numbness, Lower Limb Weakness, Peripheral Nerve Injury Lower Limb | ST31, ST36, ST41, SP09, BL23, BL32, BL33, BL35, BL40, BL54, GB30, GB34 | – | 章明星王蕊刘阳阳刘建卫郭义. 基于现代文献总结针灸治疗周围神经损伤选穴规律. 北京中医药大学学报 ., 2015 [CNKI] | text | Point selection recorded in a clinical text or case report. |
| Paralysis Spastic Post-stroke Limb Spasticity | LU04, LU05, LU06, LI10, LI11, LI14, LI15, ST31, ST32, ST36, ST40, BL36, BL40, BL57, GB30 | – | Liu Xiafei, Bao Chunling, Dong Guirong. Using acupoint-to-acupoint penetrative needling to treat poststroke spastic paralysis: a clinical progress review. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2014 October 15; 34(5): 609-615. | text | Point selection recorded in a clinical text or case report. |
| Paralysis Spastic Post-stroke | LI04, LI11, LI14, LI15, ST31, ST32, ST34, SP06, SP09, SP10, HT03, SI03, BL54, KD01, PC06, TB05, GB30, GB34, GB39, LV03 | 30 days | Liu Xiafei, Bao Chunling, Dong Guirong. Using acupoint-to-acupoint penetrative needling to treat poststroke spastic paralysis: a clinical progress review. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2014 October 15; 34(5): 609-615. | text | Point selection recorded in a clinical text or case report. |
| Paralysis Spastic Post-stroke | LU05, LI15, ST31, SP10, HT01, BL36, BL62, KD06, PC07, TB04, TB10, LV08 | 30 days | Liu Xiafei, Bao Chunling, Dong Guirong. Using acupoint-to-acupoint penetrative needling to treat poststroke spastic paralysis: a clinical progress review. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2014 October 15; 34(5): 609-615. | text | Point selection recorded in a clinical text or case report. |
| Qi Stagnation, Stasis Blood, Paralysis (infant), Benefit Regulate Yin, Benefit Regulate Wei, Paralysis Lower Limb, Qi Stagnation, Stasis Blood, Paralysis (infant), Benefit Regulate Yin, Benefit Regulate Wei, Paralysis Lower Limb | ST31, ST36, ST41, SP06, BL60, GB30, GB34, GB39, XB02L1, XB02L2, XB02L3, XB02L4, XB02L5 | 7 days | sacredlotus.com | web | Point selection published on a website. Not peer-reviewed – check it before relying on it. |
| Heat, Damp, Wei Syndrome Lower Limb, Myelitis Myatrophy Progressive, Myathenia Gravis, Neuritis Multiple, Sequellae Poliomyelitis, Paralysis Periodic, Hysterical Paralysis, Paraplegia Traumatic, Wei Syndrome Lower Limb, Myelitis Myatrophy Progressive, Myathenia Gravis, Neuritis Multiple, Sequellae Poliomyelitis, Paralysis Periodic, Hysterical Paralysis, Paraplegia Traumatic | ST31, ST34, ST36, ST41, SP09, SP10, BL20, GB30, GB34, GB39 | 7 days | sacredlotus.com | web | Point selection published on a website. Not peer-reviewed – check it before relying on it. |
| Kidney Yin Deficiency, Liver Yin Deficiency, Wei Syndrome Lower Limb, Myelitis Myatrophy Progressive, Myathenia Gravis, Neuritis Multiple, Sequellae Poliomyelitis, Paralysis Periodic, Hysterical Paralysis, Paraplegia Traumatic, Kidney Yin Deficiency, Liver Yin Deficiency, Wei Syndrome Lower Limb, Myelitis Myatrophy Progressive, Myathenia Gravis, Neuritis Multiple, Sequellae Poliomyelitis, Paralysis Periodic, Hysterical Paralysis, Paraplegia Traumatic | ST31, ST34, ST36, ST41, SP10, BL18, BL23, GB30, GB34, GB39 | 7 days | sacredlotus.com | web | Point selection published on a website. Not peer-reviewed – check it before relying on it. |
| Heat Lung, Wei Syndrome Lower Limb, Myelitis Myatrophy Progressive, Myathenia Gravis, Neuritis Multiple, Sequellae Poliomyelitis, Paralysis Periodic, Hysterical Paralysis, Paraplegia Traumatic, Heat Lung, Wei Syndrome Lower Limb, Myelitis Myatrophy Progressive, Myathenia Gravis, Neuritis Multiple, Sequellae Poliomyelitis, Paralysis Periodic, Hysterical Paralysis, Paraplegia Traumatic | LU05, ST31, ST34, ST36, ST41, SP10, BL13, GB30, GB34, GB39 | 7 days | sacredlotus.com | web | Point selection published on a website. Not peer-reviewed – check it before relying on it. |
| Trauma, Wei Syndrome Lower Limb, Myelitis Myatrophy Progressive, Myathenia Gravis, Neuritis Multiple, Sequellae Poliomyelitis, Paralysis Periodic, Hysterical Paralysis, Paraplegia Traumatic, Wei Syndrome Lower Limb, Myelitis Myatrophy Progressive, Myathenia Gravis, Neuritis Multiple, Sequellae Poliomyelitis, Paralysis Periodic, Hysterical Paralysis, Paraplegia Traumatic | ST31, ST34, ST36, ST41, SP10, GB30, GB34, GB39 | 7 days | sacredlotus.com | web | Point selection published on a website. Not peer-reviewed – check it before relying on it. |

---

AcuiQ-authored prose (symptom and meridian descriptions, the wiki, the auricular crosswalk) is licensed CC-BY-4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/. The assembled protocol compilation is not: build on it with attribution, but do not redistribute it whole as a dataset – https://acuiq.com/terms. The underlying findings are the cited sources' claims – each entry carries its citation; verify against the source before relying on it. Not medical advice: https://acuiq.com/terms