Acupuncture Point Shuitu (ST10)
Location:
Proper sitting with one's back propped; vertically below RenyingST9 (ST 9) on the anterior border of m. sternocleidomastoideus, on the same plane of the lower border of thyroid cartilage, at the midpoint of the line connecting RenyingST9 (Renying (ST9)) and QisheST11 ( Qishe (ST11)).
Function:
Soothing the chest oppression, regulating the flow of qi, resolving phlegm, and relieving sore-throat.
Regional Anatomy:
Skin-subcutaneous tissue and platysma muscle-superficial layer of cervical proper fascia and sternocleidomastoid muscle-deep layer of cervical proper fascia, omohyoid muscle and sternothyroid muscle.
In the superficial layer, there is the transverse erve of the neck. In the deep layer, there is the thyroid gland.
Indications:
Sore throat, Asthma, cough.
Prescription:
Combined use with LiequeLU7 (Lieque (LU7)Luo-Connecting Point the Eight Confluent Point) for treatment of bronchitis; with HeguLI4(Hegu (LI 4) Yuan-Source Point) for treatment of tonsillitis; with RenyingST9 (ST9), LianquanCV23 (Lianquan (CV23)), TiandingLI17 (Tianding (LI17)), FutuLI18 (Futu (LI 18)), JianshiPC5 (Jianshi (PC5) Jing-River Point) and HuguLI4 (LI4) for treatment of hoarseness.
Methods:
Insert the needle perpendicularly 0.3-0.4 cun deep; needling response: local sensation of distension and soreness; moxibustion: using 3-5 moxa-cones, or mild moxibustion for 15 min.
Note:
Shuitu (ST10) Don't puncture too deep toward the posterior side, or else the needle would penetrate the carotid vagina vasorum and injure the common carotid artery, the internal jugular vein and the vagus nerve.