Fenglong Point (ST-40 / Abundant Bulge)
Dredges the meridians and unblocks the collaterals, transforms phlegm and relieves wheezing, clears heat and unblocks the fu-organ, strengthens the spleen and harmonizes the stomach. Based on its properties, it is mainly used for digestive system disorders, respiratory diseases, and mental disorders.
Indications
Excessive phlegm, cough, headache, vertigo, stomach pain, constipation, manic disorders, globus hystericus, and cough with qi counterflow. (1) Various phlegm patterns: Excessive phlegm, cough, wheezing, headache, vertigo, manic-depressive disorders, schizophrenia, neurasthenia, globus hystericus. (2) Gastrointestinal disorders: Vomiting, hiccups, constipation, stomach pain. (3) Lower limb disorders: Lower limb flaccidity/bi-syndrome, arthritis.
Precise Location
Located on the Stomach Meridian, 8 cun above the lateral malleolus (approximately at the midpoint between the lateral knee eye and the tip of the lateral malleolus).
Location Method
Sit upright with the knee flexed and foot hanging down. Place one hand on the lateral side of the same leg – the point is where the middle finger rests at the midpoint between the lateral knee eye and the tip of the lateral malleolus.
Massage Method
Press with the pads of the index, middle, and ring fingers (with the middle finger applying the most force) – a sore sensation will occur. Knead once each morning and evening for 1–3 minutes per session. Therapeutic actions: Harmonizes stomach qi, transforms phlegm-dampness, clears the spirit.
Compatibility
Chronic bronchitis: Combine with Tianzong (SI-11), Yunmen (LU-2), Tanzhong (RN-17), Zhongwan (RN-12), Chize (LU-5), and Fenglong (ST-40). Disease overview: Chronic bronchitis is chronic non-specific inflammation of the tracheal and bronchial mucosa and surrounding tissues caused by infectious or non-infectious factors, characterized by bronchial gland hyperplasia and increased mucus secretion. Massage sequence: Patient lies supine – first apply finger rubbing to Tianzong and Yunmen for 3 minutes each, then apply finger rubbing to Tanzhong for 2–3 minutes. Knead Zhongwan with the palm root for 2–3 minutes. Then use both thumbs to separate along the intercostal spaces from top to bottom and from the middle to the sides, repeating 2–3 times. Finally, knead Chize and Fenglong for 2 minutes each. Cough: Combine with Fenglong (ST-40) and Qiangjian (GV-18). Infantile bronchopneumonia: Combine with Feishu (BL-13), Dabao (SP-21), Tanzhong (RN-17), and Fenglong (ST-40). Hyperlipidemia: Combine with Sanyinjiao (SP-6) and Zhongwan (RN-12). Globus hystericus: Combine with Taichong (LR-3). Hypertension: Combine with Quchi (LI-11). Facial spasm: Combine with Hegu (LI-4). Bronchial asthma: Combine with Feishu (BL-13), Tanzhong (RN-17), Chize (LU-5), and Tiantu (RN-22). Headache and vertigo: Combine with Baihui (GV-20) and Fengchi (GB-20). Edema: Combine with Yinlingquan (SP-9) and Shuifen (RN-9). Epilepsy: Combine with Baihui (GV-20), Shenmen (HT-7), and Zhongwan (RN-12). Manic episodes: Combine with Shenmen (HT-7), Taichong (LR-3), Chongyang (ST-42), and Renzhong (GV-26).
Efficacy & Actions
Fenglong belongs to the Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian and is the Luo-Connecting point that branches from the Stomach Meridian to the Spleen Meridian. It dredges the meridians and unblocks the collaterals, transforms phlegm and relieves wheezing, clears heat and unblocks the fu-organ, strengthens the spleen and harmonizes the stomach. It is a key point for treating phlegm disorders – both tangible and intangible phlegm – earning it the title "The First Point for Resolving Phlegm." Reducing technique is most commonly used. First documented in Lingshu · Jingmai. "Feng" means abundant or full; "Long" means bulging or prominent. The Stomach Meridian is rich in qi and blood – qi and blood converge and bulge at this point, becoming full and abundant – hence the name Fenglong (Abundant Bulge). Some people suffer from chest congestion with phlegm, coughing all day, feeling throat obstruction with difficulty expectorating thick phlegm, or suddenly feeling a turbid phlegm in the throat after finally falling asleep at night. This severely disrupts daily life. Regular massage of Fenglong can improve these conditions. (1) Key Point for Resolving Phlegm: This point treats various disorders caused by phlegm – both tangible and intangible – earning it the title "First Point for Resolving Phlegm." Fenglong is the Luo-Connecting point of the Stomach Meridian, connecting to the Spleen. The Spleen governs transportation and transformation – spleen deficiency leads to water-damp retention, which easily accumulates into phlegm. The Zhouhou Ge states: "When asthma prevents sleep, needling Fenglong three fen deep is effective." The Yulong Ge states: "For excessive phlegm, seek Fenglong." Phlegm-damp obstructs heart yang causing chest tightness and palpitations, or manic-psychotic disorders, insomnia, and forgetfulness; if it spreads in the meridians, it causes headache and vertigo above, and flaccidity/bi-syndrome below. Thus phlegm stagnation gives rise to numerous disorders. The Great Compendium records: "It treats reversal disorder, difficulty with bowel movements, lethargy, sore legs and knees with difficulty flexing, stabbing chest pain, cutting abdominal pain, wind-phlegm headache, wind reversal with limb swelling, cyanosis of the feet, cold-dampness in the body, throat obstruction with inability to speak, climbing high to sing, throwing off clothes to run, seeing ghosts and laughing, qi reversal with throat obstruction, sudden aphonia – reducing for excess manic disorders, reinforcing for deficiency with foot weakness and emaciated shins." For all phlegm disorders, Fenglong is the first choice. (2) Strengthens the Spleen and Harmonizes the Stomach: As the Luo-Connecting point connecting the Stomach and Spleen meridians, it effectively treats disorders involving both meridians. It is used for stomach pain, gastric distension, vomiting, hiccups, borborygmus, constipation (with satisfactory results), and indigestion. (3) Primary Point for Hyperlipidemia: Hyperlipidemia is considered phlegm-stasis obstruction – phlegm obstructs the collaterals causing qi-blood circulation disorders. The Spleen and Stomach are the source of phlegm production – Fenglong regulates the Spleen and Stomach, preventing phlegm turbidity from forming internally. It may be treated by pricking stagnant blood vessels at this point or by filiform needle needling. (4) Treats Lower Limb Disorders: According to "treat flaccidity by treating Yangming alone" and local point treatment principles, it is commonly used for lower limb flaccidity/bi-syndrome and arthritis. (5) Other Therapeutic Effects: This point has a wide range of indications – clinically also used for edema, globus hystericus, facial paralysis, trigeminal neuralgia, insomnia, hypertension, cervical spondylosis, frozen shoulder, stroke, goiter, and many other disorders.
Contraindications
Fenglong is primarily used to descend rebellious qi and transform phlegm, treating stomach disorders and phlegm patterns. Since stomach disorders are often excess patterns requiring clearing, and phlegm disorders require elimination, this point should be reduced rather than reinforced – needling should reflect this principle.
