# ST36 Zusanli (Leg Three Miles) – Stomach Meridian

足三里 · zú sān lǐ

Location: 3 thumb widths below ST35, 1 finger breadth (middle finger) from anterior border of the tibia.

Cautions: Caution in cases of severe varicose veins.

Canonical page: https://acuiq.com/points/st36

## Indications

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

Breast Abscess, Breast Abscess, Agitation, Agitation Abusive Talk, Agitation Abusive Talk, Anger, Poor Appetite, Poor Appetite, Belching, Benefit Digestion, Benefit Digestion, Benefit Qi, Benefit Qi, Benefit Shaoyang, Benefit Shaoyang, Benefit Spleen, Benefit Spleen, Benefit Tonify Qi, Benefit Yangming, Benefit Yangming, Stomach Rumbling, Stomach Rumbling, Calm Spirit Shen, Calm Spirit Shen, Chills, Cold Intestines, Cold Intestines, Cold Jiao Middle, Cold Jiao Middle, Cold Nose, Cold Nose, Cough, Damp, Dyspnoea Deficiency, Dyspnoea Deficiency, Stomach Qi Deficiency, Stomach Qi Deficiency, Yin Qi Deficiency, Yin Qi Deficiency, Yuan Qi Deficiency, Yuan Qi Deficiency, Zang Qi Deficiency, Zang Qi Deficiency, Yang Deficiency, Yang Deficiency, Depression, Sadness & Depression, Sadness & Depression, Diarrhea, Diarrhoea Chronic, Diarrhoea Chronic, Disease Febrile, Disease Febrile, Gastrointestinal Disorder, Gastrointestinal Disorder, Psychological Disorder, Psychological Disorder, Psychological Laughter Excessive Disorder, Psychological Laughter Excessive Disorder, Psychological Rage Disorder, Psychological Rage Disorder, Psychological Singing Disorder, Psychological Singing Disorder, Shan Disorder, Shan Disorder, Turmoil Disorder, Turmoil Disorder, Abdominal Bloating, Abdominal Bloating, Heart Bloating, Heart Bloating, Dizziness, Dizziness Post Partum, Dizziness Post-partum, Dysentery, Breathing Shortness Of Breath Problems, Breathing Shortness Of Breath Problems, Urinary Problems, Urinary Problems, Shortness of Breath, Eyesight / Vision Dim, Dim Vision, Fever, Flatulence, Fright, Abdominal Fullness, Abdominal Fullness, Chest Fullness, Chest Fullness, Costal Lateral Fullness, Costal Lateral Fullness, Heart Fullness, Heart Fullness, Heat, Heat Fire, Heat Fire, Heat Jiao Middle, Heat Jiao Middle, Heaviness Limbs, Heaviness Limbs, Hemiplegia, Hiccups, Hunger Without Desire To Eat, Hunger Without Desire To Eat, High Blood Pressure, High Blood Pressure, Ankle Sprain Stiffness, Foot Dorsiflexors Strain Stiffness, Standing Stiffness, Turning Stiffness, Immobility Ankle Sprain, Immobility Foot Dorsiflexors Strain, Immobility Standing, Immobility Turning, Infertility, Injury Body Acute Climate, Injury Body Acute Climate, Injury Heart Grief, Injury Heart Grief, Injury Kidneys Damp, Injury Kidneys Damp, Injury Kidneys Fatigue, Injury Kidneys Fatigue, Injury Liver Anger, Injury Liver Anger, Injury Lungs Cold Food Drink, Injury Lungs Cold Food / Drink, Injury Seven Injuries, Injury Seven Injuries, Injury Spleen - Over Fullness, Injury Spleen- Over-fullness, Injury Will Fear & Indulgence, Injury Will Fear & Indulgence, Insomnia, Jaundice, Nausea, Nourish Blood, Nourish Blood, Nourish Yin, Nourish Yin, Edema, Pain, Abdominal Pain, Abdominal Pain, Lower Abdominal Pain, Lower Abdominal Pain, Lower Back Pain, Lower Back Pain, Rib Pain, Rib Pain, Upper Stomach Pain, Upper Stomach Pain, Headache, Headache, Head Brain Pain, Head Brain Pain, Head Forehead Pain, Head Forehead Pain, Heart Pain, Heart Pain, Knee Pain, Knee Pain, Muscle Pain, Muscle Pain, Shin Pain, Shin Pain, Stomach Ache, Stomach Ache, Thigh Pain, Thigh Pain, Palpitations, Period Disorder, Period / Menstruation Disorder, Period / Menstruation Premenstrual Syndrome / Pms, Period Premenstrual Syndrome Pms, Pharyngitis, Qi Chest Rushing Up, Qi Chest Rushing Up, Qi Leg, Qi Leg, Heaviness Head Sensation, Heaviness Head Sensation, Muscle Spasms, Muscle Spasms, Speech Impairment, Speech Impairment, Blood Chest Stagnation, Blood Chest Stagnation, Blood Interior Stagnation, Blood Interior Stagnation, Channel Stagnation, Channel Stagnation, Undigested Food in Stool, Undigested Food in Stool, Spontaneous Sweating, Spontaneous Sweating, Swelling, Breast Swelling, Breast Swelling, Bi Arthralgia Chronic Syndrome, Bi / Arthralgia Chronic Syndrome, Taxation Five Taxations, Taxation Five Taxations, Tetanus, Tinnitus, Tonify Qi, Loss of Consciousness, Vomiting, Vomiting Bitter, Vomiting Bitter, Vomiting Blood, Vomiting Blood, Vomiting Pus, Vomiting Pus, Stroke

## Most often selected alongside ST36

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

- SP06 (Three Yin Intersection) – 833 protocols
- LI04 (Junction Valley) – 719 protocols
- PC06 (Inner Gate) – 578 protocols
- LV03 (Great Surge) – 547 protocols
- GV20 (100 Convergences) – 451 protocols
- CV12 (Stomach Centre) – 374 protocols
- CV04 (Original Qi Gate) – 366 protocols
- LI11 (Pond At The Bend) – 314 protocols

## Protocols using ST36 (50 best-sourced of 2022)

| Symptoms | Points | Course | Source | Kind | Caveat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Osteoarthritis Knee, Knee Chronic Pain | ST34, ST36, SP09, SP10, GB34 | 42 days | doi:10.1186/1472-6882-4-6 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Analgesia Abdominal, Anesthesia General Adjunct, Anesthesia Requirement Reduction, Analgesia Upper-abdomen | LI04, ST34, ST36, SP06 | 1 days | doi:10.1213/01.ANE.0000142114.72117.E0 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Hypertension, Ischemic Stroke, Stroke Acute | LI11, ST36 | – | doi:10.1093/ecam/neh102 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Joint Pain, Stiffness Morning, Arthritis Rheumatoid Juvenile, Stiffness Joint | LI04, ST36, BL40, GB20, GV20 | 6 days | doi:10.1093/ecam/nel012 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Knee Pain, Osteoarthritis Knee, Stiffness Knee | LU06, LI04, LI10, LI15, ST34, ST36, ST40, ST44, SP05, SP06, SP09, SP10, SI08, SI10, BL23, BL40, BL60, KD03, KD07, KD10, TB14, GB33, GB34, LV03, LV07, LV08 | 42 days | doi:10.1186/1472-6882-4-6 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Knee Pain, Osteoarthritis Knee, Stiffness Knee | ST34, ST36, SP09, SP10, GB34 | 42 days | doi:10.1186/1472-6882-4-6 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Arthritis Rheumatoid, Joint Pain, Stiffness Morning, Joint Swelling | LI04, LI11, ST36, TB05, GB34, GB39 | 70 days | doi:10.1186/1472-6882-7-35 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Low Back Pain, Pelvic Girdle Pain, Sacroiliac Pain, Symphysis Pain, Pregnancy Second Trimester, Pregnancy Third Trimester | LI04, ST36, SP12, BL26, BL32, BL33, BL54, BL60, KD11, GB30, GV20 | 42 days | doi:10.1186/1472-6882-8-34 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Dysmenorrhea, Menstrual Pain, Pelvic Pain | LI04, ST25, ST29, ST30, ST36, SP04, HT07, BL62, KD03, PC06, LV03, CV04, CV06 | 56 days | doi:10.1093/ecam/nem020 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Immune Deficiency, Immune Dysregulation | ST36, BL18, BL20, BL23 | 1 days | doi:10.1093/ecam/nel107 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Surgical Pain, Anesthesia Minor-surgery | LI04, ST36 | 1 days | doi:10.1093/ecam/nem056 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Common Cold, Cold Prevention | ST36 | 14 days | doi:10.1093/ecam/nem055 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Chronic Pain, Post-thoracotomy Pain, Acute Pain | ST36, BL12, BL13, BL14, BL15, BL16, BL17, BL18, BL19 | 28 days | doi:10.1016/j.jtcvs.2008.07.053 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Fatigue, Pain, Joint Pain, Rash Cutaneous, Lupus Systemic | LI04, ST36, SP06, KD07, PC05, GB20, GV14 | 35 days | doi:10.1177/0961203308093921 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Allergic Rhinitis, Nasal Obstruction, Sneezing, Rhinitis Persistent, Rhinorrhea, Itching Nasal | LI04, LI20, ST02, ST36, GV23 | 28 days | doi:10.1186/1745-6215-10-54 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Nausea, Bloating, Heartburn, Dyspepsia Functional, Abdominal Pain Epigastric, Early Satiety, Postprandial Fullness | ST34, ST36, ST40, ST42 | 28 days | doi:10.1186/1745-6215-10-75 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Obesity, Overweight, Body Fat Excess | ST36, SP06 | 84 days | doi:10.1093/ecam/nep145 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Fatigue, Anxiety, Insomnia, Back Pain, Shoulder Pain, Hot Flashes | LI11, ST36, SP06, SP09, TB05, GV20 | 12 days | doi:10.1177/1534735409343446 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Knee Pain, Osteoarthritis Knee, Stiffness Knee | LI04, ST36, SP06, SP09, SP10, KD06, TB05, GB34, GB41, LV03, LV08 | 70 days | doi:10.1186/1471-2474-10-130 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Tremor, Parkinson's Disease, Gait Freezing | ST36, GB34, LV03 | 8 days | doi:10.1093/ecam/nep085 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Knee Pain, Osteoarthritis Knee | ST34, ST36, SP09, SP10, GB34, LV03 | 20 days | doi:10.1093/ecam/nep085 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Knee Weakness, Tremor Arm, Epigastric Pain, Fatigue Arm, Stiffness Shoulder, Anxiety Performance | LI04, LI10, LI11, LI14, ST36, HT07, TB05, GB21, GB34, GV26 | 2555 days | doi:10.1093/ecam/nep210 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Neuralgia Trigeminal, Facial Trigeminal Pain | LI04, LI20, ST02, ST03, ST07, ST36, ST44, ST45, SI18, TB05, TB17, TB21, GB02, LV03, GV26 | 42 days | doi:10.1590/S1807-59322009001200014 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Osteoarthritis, Leg Pain, Hip Pain, Spinal Stenosis, Degenerative Disc Disease, Lumbar Spondylosis | LI04, ST36, GB31, LV03 | 84 days | doi:10.2147/ijgm.s3670 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Disability Low Back, Low Back Chronic Pain | ST04, ST36, SP13, SP14, BL23, BL24, BL25, BL37, BL40, GB12, GB26, GB30, GB34, GB41, GV03, GV04, GV05, GV24, GV26 | 42 days | doi:10.1186/1471-2474-11-118 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Fatigue, Anxiety, Vomiting, Pain, Nausea, Dysphagia, Xerostomia | LI02, LI11, ST05, ST06, ST07, ST36, SP06, GB20, CV23, GV20 | 14 days | doi:10.1177/1534735410378856 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Taste Loss, Dysphagia, Xerostomia, Appetite Decreased | LI02, LI04, ST05, ST06, ST07, ST36, SP06, SP09, CV23, GV20, GV24 | 18 days | doi:10.1177/1534735410378856 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Paralysis Facial, Sequelae Bell's Palsy, Paresis Facial, Contracture Facial, Spasm Facial, Synkinesis Facial, Stiffness Facial | LI04, LI10, LI20, ST01, ST04, ST06, ST09, ST36, TB17, TB23, GB34 | 56 days | doi:10.1186/1745-6215-12-71 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Acne Vulgaris, Skin Inflammation, Skin Papules, Skin Nodules | LI11, LI20, ST02, ST06, ST36, SP03, SP06, SP10, HT08, PC06, LV03 | 28 days | doi:10.1186/1745-6215-12-82 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Glaucoma Open-angle, Intraocular Pressure Elevated, Retrobulbar Circulation Impaired | ST02, ST36, SP06, BL02, BL18, BL23, KD03, GB20, LV03 | 1 days | doi:10.1155/2011/157090 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Urinary Frequency, Urinary Urgency, Urinary Nocturia, Urinary Weak Stream, Urinary Hesitancy, Urinary Incomplete Emptying, Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia | ST36, SP06, CV03, CV04 | 42 days | doi:10.1155/2011/303198 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Fatigue Cancer-related, Fatigue Post-treatment, Cancer Breast | LI04, ST36, SP04, SP06, KD03, PC06 | 56 days | doi:10.1186/1472-6882-11-49 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Fatigue Cancer-related, Fatigue Post-treatment, Cancer Breast, Mood Emotional-disturbance | LU07, LI04, ST36, SP06, KD03, KD04, LV03, GV20 | 56 days | doi:10.1186/1472-6882-11-49 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Insomnia, Fatigue Cancer-related, Fatigue Post-treatment, Cancer Breast, Sleep Dysfunction | LI04, ST36, SP06, HT07, BL62, KD03, KD04 | 56 days | doi:10.1186/1472-6882-11-49 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Fatigue Cancer-related, Fatigue Post-treatment, Cancer Breast, Myofascial Pain, Musculoskeletal Pain | LI04, ST36, SP06, SI03, BL62, KD03, TB05, GB20, GB29, GB30, GB40, GB43 | 56 days | doi:10.1186/1472-6882-11-49 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Abdominal Pain, Postoperative Pain, Hysterectomy Pain | ST36 | 1 days | doi:10.1155/2011/696754 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Anxiety, Immune Nk Cell Deficiency | LI04, LI11, ST36, SP06, HT03, HT05, SI03, BL60, KD06, PC06, TB05, GB34, GB43, LV02, CV03, CV04, CV06, CV15, GV20 | 10 days | doi:10.1093/ecam/nep236 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Pain | LI04, ST36 | 1 days | doi:10.1093/ecam/nep236 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Dysmenorrhea, Menstrual Pain, Mood Changes, Qi-blood Deficiency | ST36, SP06, SP08, BL17, BL20, BL32, CV04, CV06 | 9 days | doi:10.1093/ecam/nep239 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Dysmenorrhea, Menstrual Pain, Mood Changes, Cold Stagnation | LU07, ST36, SP06, BL23, KD06, CV03, CV04, CV06, GV04 | 9 days | doi:10.1093/ecam/nep239 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Dysmenorrhea, Kidney Deficiency, Liver Deficiency, Menstrual Pain, Mood Changes | ST36, SP06, BL17, BL18, BL23, KD03, CV04, CV06 | 9 days | doi:10.1093/ecam/nep239 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Hot Flashes, Vasomotor Symptoms, Menopause Perimenopause, Menopause Postmenopause | LI04, LI11, ST36, SP06, HT07, BL15, BL18, BL20, BL23, KD03, PC06, GB34, LV03, CV06, CV17, GV14, GV20 | 84 days | doi:10.1097/gme.0b013e31821f9171 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Xerostomia, Dry Mouth Radiation-induced, Salivary Dysfunction | LI04, ST36, SP06, CV24 | 84 days | doi:10.1002/cncr.27382 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Ankle Pain, Sprain Ankle, Ankle Swelling | LI04, ST36, ST41, SP04, SP05, SP06, SP09, HT07, BL60, BL62, BL63, BL64, KD02, KD03, KD06, GB34, GB40, LV03 | 1 days | doi:10.1186/1745-6215-12-241 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Headache, Vomiting, Nausea, Migraine, Head Pain | LI04, ST08, ST36, ST40, ST44, SP06, BL02, BL10, BL11, BL60, PC06, TB05, GB02, GB08, GB14, GB34, GB41, LV02, LV03, GV18, GV23 | 1 days | doi:10.1186/1745-6215-12-241 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Exercise Capacity Reduced, Cardiorespiratory Fitness Low, Sedentary Lifestyle | LU01, ST36, BL17, BL23, BL52, PC06, GB34, CV04, CV17 | 10 days | doi:10.6061/clinics/2012(02)18 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Addiction Opiate, Withdrawal Opiate, Craving Drug | LI04, ST36, SP06, PC06 | 10 days | doi:10.1155/2012/739045 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Headache, Myofascial Pain, Temporomandibular Joint Pain, Jaw Movement Restriction | LI04, ST06, ST36, TB05, TB17, TB21, GB02, GB34 | 40 days | doi:10.4317/medoral.17567 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Abdomen Upper Pain, Abdomen Lower Pain, Rectal Bloating, Gastric Motility Disorder | ST36 | 1 days | doi:10.1152/ajpregu.00301.2010 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Infertility Female, Ivf Failed Embryo Transfer, Infertility Repeated Ivf Failure | ST29, ST36, SP06, SP08, SP10, HT07, KD03, PC06, LV03, CV04, CV06, GV20 | 14 days | doi:10.1186/1745-6215-13-60 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |

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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