ST-44 - Inner Courtyard

内庭 - Nèi tíng

Point Region: Foot

ST

Stomach Meridian

足阳明胃经 - Zú Yángmíng Wèi Jīng

ST-44 Neiting, meaning 'Inner Courtyard,' is the 'Ying-Spring' and 'Water' point. Located on the foot, it is a master point for clearing heat and calming the spirit. Its name, 'Inner Courtyard,' alludes to its ability to bring a sense of order and harmony to the body's entire system.

Think of Neiting as a point that helps to 'clear the courtyard' of your body. It's invaluable for addressing issues like a feeling of 'heat' in the body, a restless spirit, and a feeling of being 'overwhelmed.' By clearing heat and calming the spirit, it helps to restore a sense of ease and freedom.

By clearing heat and calming the spirit, ST-44 helps to restore a sense of balance and inner peace. It's a point that reminds us that our true power comes from a calm and unburdened body.

Location & How to Find

Anatomical Location: On the dorsum of the foot, between the second and third toes, in the depression just proximal to the web margin.

How to Locate:

  1. Look at the webbing between your second and third toes
  2. Find the depression just above where the webbing starts
  3. This is on the top of your foot between these toes
  4. The point is in this natural hollow
Location illustration for On the dorsum of the foot, between the second and third toes, in the depression just proximal to the web margin.

Primary Functions

Digestive System

  • Clears stomach heat and inflammation
  • Treats food poisoning and acute gastritis
  • Relieves stomach pain and hyperacidity
  • Reduces excessive appetite and food cravings
  • Treats bad breath and oral inflammation

Oral & Dental Health

  • Treats toothache and dental pain
  • Relieves gum inflammation and bleeding
  • Reduces oral heat and swelling

Nervous System

  • Calms excessive mental activity
  • Treats headaches from stomach heat
  • Reduces irritability and agitation

Emotional & Mental

  • Reduces anger and emotional heat
  • Calms frustration and impatience
  • Improves emotional regulation

Clinical Applications

Primary Indications

  • Sore throat
  • Toothache
  • Hives
  • Dysentery
  • Malaria-related disorders
  • Sound sensitivity
  • Throat pain
  • Dental pain
  • Skin problems
  • Bowel problems

Related Health Concerns

Common Conditions:

Dental PainAcne

Select a point to learn about its location, primary functions, clinical applications, and protocols.

Combined Applications:

ST-44 + LI-4
Clears heat from the face and treats toothache, sore throat, and facial swelling
ST-44 + ST-7
Treats jaw tension, TMJ disorders, and facial pain

ST-44 Protocols

Heat Clearing & Facial Tension Relief (3 minutes)

  1. Sit with foot relaxed and accessible
  2. Locate ST-44 (between the 2nd and 3rd toes, proximal to the web margin)
  3. Apply gentle pressure for 30 seconds on each foot
  4. Massage in circular motions for 1 minute to clear heat and ease facial tension
  5. Repeat pressure while breathing slowly and relaxing the brow

Important Precautions

  • Recent foot surgery
  • Severe foot infections
  • Open wounds between toes