Location
On the line connecting asis and lateral border of the patella 6 thumb widths above the laterosuperior border of the patella.
No specific contraindications.
Indications
Conditions for which ST32 is listed as indicated. An indication list is a reference index, not a prescription – see the protocols below for sourced treatments.
Leg Muscle WastingCommon ColdContraction ArmContraction Thigh MusclesThigh NumbnessPainLower Back PainKnee PainQi LegChannel StagnationBi Arthralgia Leg SyndromeBi / Arthralgia Leg SyndromeWind Damp SyndromeWind-damp SyndromeKnee Weakness
Protocols using ST32
The 50 best-sourced of 55, ranked by strength of evidence. The count above is the full figure.
- Headache, Hypertension, Hypertension Essential – ST32, PC07, PC08 (doi:10.1093/ecam/nel012 ↗)
- Nausea, Bloating, Heartburn, Dyspepsia Functional, Abdominal Pain Epigastric, Early Satiety, Postprandial Fullness – ST32, ST33, ST35, ST38 (doi:10.1186/1745-6215-10-75 ↗)
- Anxiety, Depression, Leukopenia, Cancer Colorectal, Chemotherapy Side Effects, Neutropenia – LU07, LI04, ST32, ST36, SP03, SI06, PC05, TB05, GB39, LV03, CV06 (doi:10.1155/2014/217397 ↗)
- Hemiplegia, Motor Dysfunction, Ischemic Stroke, Sensory Dysfunction – LI04, LI10, LI11, LI15, ST32, ST36, BL60, TB05, GB34, GB39 (doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2014-007080 ↗)
- Hemiplegia, Cognitive Impairment, Ischemic Stroke – LI04, LI10, LI11, LI15, ST32, ST36, BL60, TB05, GB13, GB34, GB39, GV20, GV24 (doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2014-007080 ↗)
- Depression, Hemiplegia, Ischemic Stroke, Emotional Disorder – LI04, LI10, LI11, LI15, ST32, ST36, BL60, PC06, TB05, GB34, GB39, LV03, GV20, GV24 (doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2014-007080 ↗)
- Hemiplegia, Ischemic Stroke, Wind-fire Syndrome – LI04, LI10, LI11, LI15, ST32, ST36, BL60, TB05, GB34, GB39, LV02, LV03, LV14 (doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2014-007080 ↗)
- Hemiplegia, Ischemic Stroke, Phlegm Stasis Blocking Collaterals – LI04, LI10, LI11, LI15, ST32, ST36, ST40, SP10, BL60, TB05, GB34, GB39 (doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2014-007080 ↗)
- Hemiplegia, Yin Deficiency, Ischemic Stroke, Wind Stirring – LI04, LI10, LI11, LI15, ST32, ST36, SP06, BL60, KD03, TB05, GB34, GB39, LV03 (doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2014-007080 ↗)
- Hemiplegia, Blood Stasis, Ischemic Stroke, Qi Deficiency – LI04, LI10, LI11, LI15, ST32, ST36, BL17, BL60, TB05, GB34, GB39, CV04, CV06 (doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2014-007080 ↗)
- Overweight, Obesity Simple, Bmi Elevated – LI04, LI11, ST21, ST24, ST25, ST26, ST27, ST28, ST32, ST34, ST36, ST37, ST39, ST40, ST44, SP04, SP06, SP09, SP14, SP15, SP16, BL20, BL21, TB06, GB26, LV13, CV04, CV06, CV07, CV09, CV10, CV12, CV13 (doi:10.1155/2020/2367610 ↗)
- Performance Explosive-force Knee, Strength Knee-extensor, Strength Knee-flexor – ST32, ST34, ST36, SP10, BL57 (doi:10.3390/ijerph18189518 ↗)
- Knee Pain, Osteoarthritis Knee, Deformity Varus Knee, Lower Limb Swelling – ST32, ST34, ST40, ST41, SP06, SP10, KD03, KD06 (doi:10.1155/2022/6428759 ↗)
- Fatigue, Depression, Insomnia, Poor Appetite, Lower Limb Weakness, Upper Limb Weakness, Muscle Atrophy Progressive, Paralysis Motor Neuron – LI04, LI10, LI11, LI15, ST32, ST36, ST41, SP06, BL18, BL20, BL23, KD03, PC06, TB05, GB20, GB34, CV04, CV06, CV12, CV23, GV14, GV20 (doi:10.1155/2022/6541600 ↗)
- Osteoarthritis Knee, Knee Postoperative Pain – ST32, ST36, SP09, GB34 (doi:10.1002/brb3.2913 ↗)
- Muscle Weakness, Muscle Atrophy, Sarcopenia, Reduced Muscle Mass, Decreased Physical Performance – LI04, LI10, LI11, LI14, ST32, ST34, ST36, ST41 (doi:10.1186/s12906-024-04723-8 ↗)
- Thyroid Disease – ST06, ST10, ST32, ST36 (doi:10.13481/j.1671-587x.1962.01.012 ↗)
- Epigastric Pain, Early Satiety, Postprandial Fullness, Epigastric Burning, Functional Dyspepsia – ST32, ST33, ST35, ST38 (doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.2012.08.015 ↗)
- Atrophy Muscle, Muscle Weakness, Sarcopenia – ST31, ST32, ST36, GB34 (doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000049033 ↗)
- Bone Pain, Leg Numbness, Cancer Lung, Bone Metastasis – ST31, ST32, ST36, BL23, BL25, BL54, BL60, GB31, GB34, GB41, LV03 (doi:10.3389/fonc.2026.1684346 ↗)
- Muscle Weakness, Sarcopenia, Hemodialysis, End-Stage Kidney Disease – ST32, ST34, ST36, SP06, SP09, KD03, GB34 (doi:10.1002/jcsm.70345 ↗)
- Hemiplegia, Ischemic Stroke, Gastrointestinal Dysfunction, Hemiplegia Post-stroke – LI04, LI11, LI15, ST32, ST36, SP06, TB05, GB20, LV03, GV20, XH03 (doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20231109-k0009 ↗)
- Injury Knee, Injury Ligament Anterior Cruciate, Muscle Knee Weakness, Endurance Muscle Reduced – ST32, ST34, ST36, SP10, BL57 (doi:10.1177/27683605261422972 ↗)
- Sarcopenia – LI04, LI10, LI11, LI14, ST32, ST34, ST36, ST41 (doi:10.1186/s12906-024-04723-8 ↗)
- 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 (doi:10.2147/JPR.S453133 ↗)
- Knee Pain, Osteoarthritis Knee, Stiffness Knee, Liver-kidney Deficiency, Wind-Cold-Damp Bi Syndrome – ST32, BL38, BL54, BL60, KD03, GB29, GB33, LV07 (doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20250424-k0005 ↗)
- 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 (doi:10.1097/md.0000000000033612 ↗)
- Muscle Weakness Lower Extremity, Muscle Weakness, Septic Shock – ST32, ST36, GB30, GB39, LV03 (doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20191022-0005 ↗)
- Spasticity, Spasticity Post-stroke, Hemiplegia Post-stroke – ST32, ST34, ST36, ST40, LV03 (doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20201201-k0004 ↗)
- Osteoarthritis Knee, Knee Postoperative Pain – ST32, ST34, ST40, ST41, SP06, SP10, KD03, KD06, XL02 (doi:10.1155/2022/6428759 ↗)
- Postoperative Pain, Knee Replacement Surgery – ST32, ST36, SP09, GB34 (doi:10.1002/brb3.2913 ↗)
- Knee Pain, Osteoarthritis Knee, Postoperative Pain – ST31, ST32, ST34, ST35, ST36, SP09, SP10, BL24, BL25, BL40, GB29, GB30, GB34, LV08, LV09, XL02, XL05A (doi:10.2147/JPR.S453133 ↗)
- Swollen Knee, Limited Range Of Motion Knee, Injury Ligament Anterior Cruciate – ST32, ST36, ST37, ST40, SP06, SP08, GB31, GB39 (doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20190213-00014 ↗)
- Anxiety, Depression, PCOS – LI04, ST29, ST32, ST34, ST36, SP06, HT07, CV04, CV12, GV20 (doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20191231-k0005 ↗)
- Sarcopenia – ST31, ST32, ST36, GB34 (doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000049033 ↗)
- Lung Cancer, Hip Pain, Bone Metastasis – ST32, ST36, BL23, BL25, BL54, BL60, GB31, GB34, GB41, LV03, XB02L2, XB02L3, XB02L4, XB02L5 (doi:10.3389/fonc.2026.1684346 ↗)
- Knee Synovitis, Knee Synovitis – ST32, ST33, ST34, SP10 (JTCM30:2)
- Spleen Qi Deficiency, Spleen Qi Deficiency – ST21, ST31, ST32, ST33, ST34, ST36, SP03, SP05, SP06, SI06, BL20 (Yang Yong-Xuan, clinical point-selection notes)
- Swollen Knee, Knee Upper Part Pain, Tenderness – ST32, ST33, ST34, SP10 (Chen Guo-sheng. A Case Report of Diffuse Pigmented Villonodular Synovitis Treated by Fire-needle. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2010, 30(2): 143-144)
- 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 (HU Jin-sheng. Acupuncture Treatment of Prostatitis. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2010, 30(1): 66-67)
- Knee Pain, Chondromalacia Patellae – ST32, ST34, ST35, ST40, SP06, SP10, KD03 (QIU Ling et al. Chondromalacia Patellae Treated by Warming Needle and Rehabilitation Training. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2009, 29(2): 90-93)
- 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 (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)
- Stroke, Hemiplegia, Paralysis Arm, Paralysis Leg, Spasticity – LI04, LI10, LI14, LI15, ST31, ST32, ST36, ST40, ST41, SP06, SP10, BL60, TB05, GB34, LV03, CV04 (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)
- Stroke, Hemiplegia, Paralysis Arm, Paralysis Leg, Spasticity, Speech Unclear – LI04, LI10, LI14, LI15, ST31, ST32, ST36, ST41, TB05, GB34, LV03 (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)
- Obesity – LU03, LU04, LI04, LI11, LI15, ST32, ST36, ST37, ST40, ST44, SP06, SP09, SP10, LV03 (WU Zhou-hong. Effects of the Multiple Needling with Shallow Insertion for Simple Obesity: A Clinical Observation on Lipid Metabolism and on the Chest, Waist and Hip Circumferences. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2009, 29(3): 179-181)
- 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)
- Paralysis, Cerebrovascular Disease Acute Ischemic, Neurological Dysfunction – LI04, LI10, LI11, LI15, ST32, ST36, SP06, SI03, BL60, TB05, GB30, GB34, GB39 (Jiang Hua, Wang Manxia, Guo Jian, Li Zhidong. The Midnight-Noon Ebb-Flow Point Selection for 30 Cases of Acute Ischemic Cerebrovascular Diseases. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2008, 28(3): 193-197)
- 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)
- Tic Disorders – LI04, LI11, ST04, ST06, ST32, BL02, BL18, KD03, KD17, TB05, GB13, GB20, GB34, LV03, GV08, GV20, GV24 (Acupuncture Treatment in Pediatric Patients With Tic Disorders: A Prospective, Single-Center, Randomized Controlled Trial. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT07071428)
- 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)
Most often selected alongside ST32
How many sourced protocols in the index pair each point with ST32. Corpus frequency, not a combination to use.
- ST36Leg Three Miles41 protocols
- GB34Yang Mound Spring25 protocols
- LI04Junction Valley24 protocols
- SP06Three Yin Intersection23 protocols
- LI11Pond At The Bend22 protocols
- ST34Ridge Mound22 protocols
- LI15Shoulder And Clavicle19 protocols
- SP10Sea Of Blood18 protocols
- LI10Arm Three Miles17 protocols
- LV03Great Surge17 protocols
- TB05Outer Gate16 protocols
- GB39Suspended Bell15 protocols
