One of the points we often use in the treatment room is Stomach 36 (ST36, Zu San Li, “Leg Three Mile”). Commonly used for gastrointestinal discomfort, nausea and vomiting, stress and fatigue, ST36 is located four finger widths down from the bottom of your knee cap, along the outer boundary of your shin bone. If you are in the right place, a muscle should pop out as you move your foot up and down.
Although this point has a strong association with digestion, in traditional Chinese literature and practice, ST36 is frequently stimulated for health promotion and longevity. The legend associated with the point “Leg Three Mile” gives a sense of its purpose:
Chinese warriors would wear leather sashes with stones hanging from either side of their waist while they hiked across the vast countryside to protect their nation. When the warriors became exhausted, to the point where they just couldn’t go any further, they would kneel down to rest. The stones would naturally land at Stomach 36 on each leg. Upon arising from this bended knee position, with pressure on Stomach 36, when the soldiers arose they found extra hidden renewed strength and were able to hike “three more miles”…

Generally, Stomach 36 is known to: tonify Qi and Blood, harmonize and strengthen the Spleen and Stomach, raise Yang, calm the Shen, activate the meridian, and stop pain. It’s great for energy, immune-boosting, and aiding digestion. And if you need to walk three more miles on the treadmill, it might help with that too!

To use this as an acupressure point at home, first locate the point (four finger widths down from bottom of knee cap, confirm area by moving foot up and down). Use your thumb or index finger to massage the acupoint with deep and steady pressure. Massage the point in a circular or up and down motion. Be careful not to remove the thumb or finger from the skin. Massage the point for one to two minutes.