Point of the Month | Stomach 36
One of the single most important points in the body for improving energy, stamina, endurance and immunity is on the stomach channel.
According the Chinese medicine, we are now in the fifth season of the year—late summer. Each season is associated with different organs of the body, elements, emotions and more. This time of year corresponds to the spleen and stomach, the earth element connected to worry or over thinking. The spleen and stomach are paired organs and meridians that are central to all of the others, and work very hard together to nourish the body. The stomach receives food and the spleen separates the vital nutrients from waste transforming and transporting food and drink into energy and blood to nourish the entire body. When these organs are impaired, the whole body suffers from improper nourishment. Over thinking and worry adversely affect these organs by causing energy to stagnate there. It becomes difficult for good energy to be transported throughout the body and for waste to be eliminated.
Acupuncture can help facilitate the healthy functioning of receiving nourishment and quieting the over thinking mind. One of the most important points in the entire body (out of all 400 plus points) is stomach 36, called Zu San Li, or leg three miles. The name “reflects the idea that stimulating stomach 36 would enable a person to walk a further three miles, even when exhausted.” As the earth point on the earth channel, it is very grounding for an over thinking mind. It is located about a hand’s width below the knee cap just to the outside of the shin bone. Its primary actions are to harmonize the stomach, fortify the spleen, nourish Qi and blood and calm the spirit. It is used for almost any kind of digestive disorder and is used often specifically in the late summer and early fall to boost immunity.
Ask your acupuncturist to point out how to stimulate this point yourself and during this transition from summer to fall be sure to eat as many whole foods as possible, avoid sugar, and get outside to enjoy this beautiful time of year.
References:
A Manual of Acupuncture by Peter Deadman
Jade Woman Qigong: The Healing Power of Taoist Medicine by Master Liu He
