GB-32 - Middle Ditch

中渎 - Zhōng dú

Point Region: Thigh

GB

Gallbladder Meridian

足少阳胆经 - Zú Shàoyáng Dǎn Jīng

Location & How to Find

Anatomical Location: On the outer side of the thigh, just behind the iliotibial band, 7 cun above the crease behind the knee.

Distances are in cun, a unit that scales with each person's body. As a guide, the width of your thumb at its joint is 1 cun, and your four fingers held together, measured across the middle joints, are 3 cun.

How to Locate:

  1. Find the outer end of the crease behind your knee
  2. Measure twice four finger-widths plus one thumb-width up the outer thigh
  3. The point is just behind the firm band running down the outer thigh
GB-32 (Middle Ditch) acupressure point location: On the outer side of the thigh, just behind the iliotibial band, 7 cun above the crease behind the knee.

How to Apply Pressure

From the outer end of the crease behind your knee, measure seven cun up and find the spot behind the firm outer-thigh band. Apply gentle, steady pressure there with a fingertip. Keep it comfortable: firm but never painful, and never deep or unrelenting. Stop if it hurts. Avoid this point if you have severe leg injuries, acute muscle tears, deep vein thrombosis.

Traditional Indications

In TCM, this point is traditionally used for:

  • Leg pain
  • Numbness
  • Urticaria
  • Thigh weakness
  • Muscle atrophy
  • Skin disorders
  • Sciatica

Related Health Concerns

FatigueSciatica

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

Important Precautions

Avoid this point with:

  • Severe leg injuries
  • Acute muscle tears
  • Deep vein thrombosis

Take care:

  • Avoid during acute leg injuries
  • Use moderate pressure on thigh muscle
  • Discontinue if numbness increases
  • Seek medical attention for persistent weakness