風市 : Fengshi : Wind Market

Location Guides:

Classifications:

Homeostatic point 18 (Ma, Ma & Cho, 2005, Biomedical Acupuncture for Pain Management)
Trigger point (Travell & Simons, 1998, Trigger Point Manual)

Location:

On the lateral aspect of the thigh, directly below the greater trochanter, 7 cun superior to the popliteal crease.

Needling:

Perpendicular or slightly oblique insertion posteriorly 1 - 2 cun, or oblique insertion directed proximally or distally 1.5 - 2.5 cun

Classical Needling:

"The Shaoyang usually has little Blood and much Qi" (Su Wen 素問 ch. 24) implying this channel should normally be needled.
"The foot Shaoyang is to be pierced 4 fen deep and remain inserted for five exhalations" (Ling Shu 靈樞 ch. 12).
"No treatment information is given for this point but it may be similar to GB-32, needled to a depth of five fen, retained for seven exhalations, and moxaed with five cones" (Huangfu Mi 皇甫謐, 3rd Century, Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing 針灸甲乙經).

TCM Actions:

Eliminates Wind
Alleviates itching
Activates the channel and alleviates pain

TCM Indications:

• Hemiplegia, atrophy disorder and Painful Obstruction (痹, Bi) of the lower limb, cold Painful Obstruction (痹, Bi) sciatica, Leg Qi (腳氣, Jiao Qi), numbness of the leg, weakness and feebleness of the legs, heavy sensation of the legs with difficulty sitting, contraction and pain of the knees.
  
• Itching of the whole body, urticaria.

Neuroanatomy:

Superficial Innervation: Lateral cutaneous nerve of the thigh (L2 - L3)

Dermatome Segment: L2

Deeper Structures: Possibly sciatic nerve sends branches to innervate the iliotibial tract

Trigger Point Associations:

Muscle:
Vastus lateralis

Location Notes:
Several more trigger points for vastus lateralis may be found along the gallbladder channel on the thigh between here and the greater trochanter

Pain Referral Pattern:
Along the lateral side of the thigh and knee

Indications:
Strain of quadriceps ; Diseases of the hip and knee

Martial Applications & Effects of Injury:

One of the 36 vital points of Feng Yiyuan 馮一元 listed in the Wu Bei Zhi 武備志 (Treatise on Armament Technology) by Mao Yuanyi 茅元儀 (1621) (McCarthy, 2016, Bubishi: The Classic Manual of Combat).

See Montaigue, Dim Mak Locations, Taijiworld.com for explanation of effects.

Major Combinations:

• Windstroke:
    First needle the healthy arm and leg and then the diseased arm and leg, using Fengshi GB-31, Qiuxu GB-40 and Yanglingquan GB-34
    (Yang Jizhou, 杨继洲, 1601: Zhen Jiu Da Cheng, 針灸大成, Great Compendium of Acupuncture and Moxibustion).
  
  
• Weakness of the legs:
    Moxa Fengshi GB-31, Taichong Liv-3 and Lidui St-45
    (Lou Ying, 樓英, 1565: Yi Xue Gang Mu, 醫學綱目, Outline of Medicine).
  
  
• Lack of strength in the legs:
    Fengshi GB-31 with Yinshi St-33
    (Yu Long Fu, 玉龍賦, Ode of the Jade Dragon. First recorded in Gao Wu, 高武, 1529: Zhen Jiu Yu Jing, 針灸聚英, Glorious Anthology of Acupuncture and Moxibustion).
  
  
• Lumbar pain that radiates down the leg:
    Fengshi GB-31 with Huantiao GB-30 and Xingjian Liv-2
    (Za Bing Xue Fa Ge, 雜病穴法歌, Song of Points for Miscellaneous Diseases. First recoreded in Gao Wu, 高武. 1529: Zhen Jiu Yu Jing, 針灸聚英, Glorious Anthology of Acupuncture and Moxibustion; Anon, nd, Shi Si Jing Yao Xue Zhu Zhi Ge, 十四經要穴主治歌, Song of the Points of the Fourteen Primary Channels).
  
  
• Lumbar pain with difficulty moving:
    Fengshi GB-31 with Weizhong Bl-40 and Xingjian Liv-2
    (Gao Wu, 高武, 1529: Zhen Jiu Yu Jing, 針灸聚英, Glorious Anthology of Acupuncture and Moxibustion).
  
  
• Pain of the legs and lumbar region:
    Fengshi GB-31 with Huantiao GB-30, Weizhong Bl-40, Kunlun Bl-60, Yinshi St-33, Chengshan Bl-57 and Shenmai Bl-62
    (Yang Jizhou, 杨继洲, 1601: Zhen Jiu Da Cheng, 針灸大成, Great Compendium of Acupuncture and Moxibustion).
  
  
• Painful Obstruction of the calf:
    Fengshi GB-31 with Kunlun Bl-60
    (Liao Runhong, 廖润鸿, 1874: Zhen Jiu Ji Cheng, 針灸集成, Compilation of Acupuncture and Moxibustion).

Notes:

The principle point on the leg for treating skin diseases, especially when characterised by rapid onset and itching.

Possible replacement for Huantiao GB-30 to open the Jing Well points of the lower limbs (Yuen, 2004, Divgent Channels, p.77).

In Tung acupuncture a group of three points called Jiu Li, 9 Miles, is located around this point. Zhong Jiu Li, Centre 9 Miles, is located exactly at this point (although described as in the centre of the lateral thigh which would be slightly higher than the TCM description). Shang Jiu Li, Upper 9 Miles, is then located 1.5 cun anterior to this point, and Xia Jiu Li, Lower 9 Miles, is located 1.5 cun posterior to this point. Together they are Tung's go-to points for all disorders of Wind (Chu, 2015).

Lad and Durve (2008) in Marma Points of Ayurveda locate two points called Uru, one at this point and the other at the greater trochanter of the femur. They are associated with Apana Vayu, Vyana Vayu and Shleshaka Kapha.

They give the following functions:
- Balances apana vayu
- Benefits lower extremities
- Enhances circulation
- Relieves pain

Reference Notes:

Basic information on location, needle depth, TCM actions, indications and combinations is taken from Deadman et al (2001): A Manual of Acupuncture with additional anatomical information researched by reference to Gray's Anatomy (38th Ed., 1995) unless otherwise referenced. Images were found on acupunctureschoolonline.com and can be traced back to Claudia Focks (2008) Atlas of Acupuncture originally. I cannot claim any credit or rights over them. Other sources should be quoted in the text.

For some of the more unusual terms I have created a glossary here