Acupuncture Point Taibai (SP3)
Location:
Upright sitting with drooping feet; on the medial side of the great toe, in the depression behind the posterior border of the 1st metatarsophalangeal joint.

Function:
Strengthening the spleen and stomach, and activating collaterals to relieve pain.

Regional Anatomy:
Skin-subcutaneous tissue-abductor muscle of great toe-short flexor muscle of great toe.
In the superficial layer, there are the saphenous nerve and the superficial venous network. In the deep layer, there are the branches or tributaries of the medialplantar artery and vein and the branches of the medial plantar nerve.

Indications:
Gastric pain, abdominal distension, Constipation, dysentery, vomiting, Diarrhea, borborygmus, and beriberi.

Prescription:
Combined use with Zusanli (ST 36) He-Sea Point) for treatment of acute gastroenteritis; with Tianshu (ST25) Front-Mu Point of the Large Intestine) for treatment of constipation; with Acupuncture Single Point Huantiao for treatment of sciatica; with Xiangu (ST43) Shu-Stream Point) and Dachangshu (BL25) for treatment of acute appendicitis and periappendicular abscess.

Methods:
Insert the needle perpendicularly 0.3-0.5 cun deep; needling response: local
sensation of distension and soreness; moxibustion: using 3-5 moxa-cones, or mild moxibustion for 10 min.