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Channel: ST, foot yáng brightness (yáng míng) stomach channel

Modern location: An acupoint located on the upper abdomen, 4 cùn superior to the umbilicus and 2 cùn lateral to the midline.

Classical location: One cùn below Assuming Fullness (ST-20), two cùn either side of the midline. From The Golden Mirror of Medicine (医宗金鑑 yī zōng jīn jiàn)

Local anatomy: Branches of the 8th intercostal and superior epigastric arteries and veins.

Action: Regulates center qì; harmonizes the stomach and intestines; transforms accumulations and stagnations; fortifies the spleen, strengthening its function of moving and transforming grain and water.

Modern indications: Stomach pain; retching and vomiting; poor appetite; abdominal distension; diarrhea.

Classical indications: Qì accumulation beneath the rib-side; pain in the stomach duct; efflux diarrhea; mounting (shàn) pain; prolapse of the rectum; painful binding accumulation of qì in the abdomen; nontransformation of grain and water (undigested food in the stool).

Needle stimulus: Needling: 0.7‒1.0 cùn perpendicular insertion. Moxa: 5 cones; pole 5‒20 min.

Needle sensation: Localized distension or feeling of heaviness, sometimes spreading downward and outward.

Point name meaning:

• 梁 liáng: crossbeam, beam
• 门 mén: gate, door

ST-21 may have acquired its name from one of the five accumulations (五积 wǔ jī) mentioned in the Nàn Jīng. Known as 伏梁 (fú liáng) deep-lying beam, this condition is described as a condition in which a palpable mass the size of an arm located in the upper abdomen causes irritability and insomnia. Since ST-21 may be used in the treatment of this condition it is a gateway to the beam or, in other words, the Beam Gate.

The character 梁 (liáng) may be a misrepresentation of 粱 (liáng), which denotes a kind of millet. If this is the case, then the name may be considered as a reference to the location of this point, which is at approximately the level at which grain enters the stomach. Furthermore, since sea of grain is an epithet of the stomach, the point name may reflect the use of ST-21 in the treatment of disorders of the stomach such as lack of appetite, untransformed food in the stool, and diarrhea.

Additionally, 梁门 (liáng mén) is a place name. See acupoint names: origins, meanings, and translations.

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