ST-31 - Thigh Joint

髀关 - Bì guān

Point Region: Thigh

ST

Stomach Meridian

足阳明胃经 - Zú Yángmíng Wèi Jīng

Location & How to Find

Anatomical Location: On the front of the thigh, in the hollow between three muscles: the top of the rectus femoris, the sartorius and the tensor fasciae latae. It is where the line from the bony point at the front of the hip to the outer corner of the top of the kneecap crosses the level of the lower edge of the pubic bone.

How to Locate:

  1. Bend your hip and knee slightly and press the thigh outward against resistance: a triangular hollow appears at the top front of the thigh
  2. The point is at the deepest spot of the hollow, just below the triangle's top
  3. Check: it is on the line from the bony point of the hip to the outer corner of the kneecap, level with the lower edge of the pubic bone
ST-31 (Thigh Joint) acupressure point location: On the front of the thigh, in the hollow between three muscles: the top of the rectus femoris, the sartorius and the tensor fasciae latae.

How to Apply Pressure

Once ST-31 is located in the hollow at the front of the hip, relax your leg and use steady, comfortable fingertip pressure — stop immediately if you notice leg swelling or calf pain, because a possible blood clot is an emergency. Skip it after recent hip surgery or over a hip fracture.

Traditional Indications

In TCM, this point is traditionally used for:

  • Sciatica
  • Hip joint pain
  • Leg weakness
  • Thigh pain
  • Hip stiffness
  • Lower limb numbness

Related Health Concerns

SciaticaFatigue

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

Important Precautions

Avoid this point with:

  • Recent hip surgery
  • Severe hip fracture
  • Acute hip dislocation
  • Deep vein thrombosis