Stomach Meridian Pathways and Points (Part 1)

Introduction

• The stomach channel is the second largest in the body with 45 acupuncture points
• This presentation is divided into two parts
• The channel is significant for its strong influence on Qi and blood
• Mainly discussed by Clara from Acupure Academy

Basic Information

• Type: Foot Yang Ming meridian
• Located: Bilaterally with 45 points
• Activity Peak: 7 to 9 AM
• Related Channels: Large Intestine Yang Ming

Pathway Overview

1. Starts: Side of the nose (near LI 20)
2. Main Pathway: Up to Stomach 1 (below the infraorbital ridge)
   • Down the face, jaw, side of the ear, to the head (up to Stomach 8)
3. First Branch: Stomach 5 -> down the neck (Stomach 9-11) -> supra clavicular fossa -> connects to stomach and spleen organs
4. Second Branch: Follows down the trunk (Stomach 12-18), thigh (Stomach 31-45) until the second toe
5. Third Branch: Starts at Stomach 42 -> connects to SP 1 on the big toe
6. Additional Branch: Stomach 36 -> ends at the third toe

Point Locations and Functions (Stomach 1-30)

Face and Jaw (Stomach 1-8)

• Stomach 1: Between eyeball & infraorbital ridge; rarely needled due to location
• Stomach 2: Infraorbital foramen; safe but sensitive
• Stomach 3: At the level of the ala nasi and pupil
• Stomach 4: 0.5 cun lateral to the corner of the mouth
• Stomach 5-7: Important for jaw and facial issues
  • Stomach 6: Ghost point for PTSD
  • Stomach 7: Key for trigeminal neuralgia
• Stomach 8: 4.5 cun lateral to midline; good for migraines

Neck (Stomach 9-11)

• Stomach 9: Anterior to the SCM at the level of the laryngeal prominence
• Stomach 10: Between Stomach 9 and 11
• Stomach 11: Between sternal and clavicular heads of the SCM
• Function: Useful for thyroid, cough, and sore throat

Chest (Stomach 12-18)

• Located: 4 cun lateral to the midline
• Stomach 12: Supraclavicular fossa (not used in pregnancy)
• Stomach 13-16: Intercostal spaces from 1st to 4th; used for chest pain and asthma
• Stomach 18: 5th intercostal space; important for boosting breast milk (paired with Ren 17, SI 1, SP 18)
• Stomach 17: Landmark only

Abdomen (Stomach 19-30)

• Located: 2 cun lateral to the midline
• Stomach 19: 6 cun above Stomach 25 (navel)
• Stomach 20-24: Stepwise down to navel area; used mainly for digestive issues
• Stomach 25: 2 cun lateral to the navel; front mu point of the Large Intestine; key for digestive issues
  • Important combinations: Stomach 25 + Ren 9 + Ren 6 (Digestive Diamond)
• Stomach 26-30: 1 cun increments below navel; focus on reproductive and lower abdominal issues
  • Stomach 27: Male reproductive health
  • Stomach 28: Bladder issues
  • Stomach 29: Stimulates ovaries; used in fertility treatments
  • Stomach 30: Used for inguinal hernia, external genitalia issues

Conclusion

• This segment covered points Stomach 1-30
• For further learning, watch part 2 (Stomach 31-45)
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