EXT-39 - Knee Eyes

膝眼 - Xī yǎn

Point Region: Knee

EXT

Extra Points

其他穴位 - Qítā Xuéwèi

Location & How to Find

Anatomical Location: On either side of the patellar ligament, inferior to the patella.

Extra points have no international location standard, and Chinese texts number and place some of them differently. This location follows common teaching.

How to Locate:

  1. Sit with your leg extended
  2. Locate your kneecap (patella)
  3. Find the depressions on either side below the kneecap
  4. These 'eye-like' depressions are the Knee Eyes points
(Illustration coming soon)

How to Apply Pressure

With the knee bent, find the two hollows on either side of the tendon just below the kneecap and press both gently with thumb and finger. Do not press a swollen, freshly injured or recently operated knee, and stop if the pain gets worse.

Traditional Indications

In TCM, this point is traditionally used for:

  • Knee pain
  • Weakness
  • Swelling
  • Numbness
  • Beriberi
  • Knee stiffness
  • Arthritis
  • Joint inflammation

Related Health Concerns

Knee PainFatigue

Select a point to see its location, how to find it, and its traditional uses.

Traditionally combined with:

EXT-39 + ST-35
Calf's Nose
EXT-39 + GB-34
Yang Mound Spring

Important Precautions

Avoid this point with:

  • Knee fracture
  • Severe knee injury
  • Acute knee infection
  • Recent knee surgery

Take care:

  • Avoid excessive pressure on swollen knees
  • Be gentle with arthritic knees
  • Stop if knee pain worsens