STOMACH 36 – The Master Point of Longevity, Vitality & Grounded Strength

I've just included this point in my BALANCE IN THE CRONE ZONE series and it's SUCH a useful point, I thought I'd offer a wee bit more information.

With grateful thanks the Peter Deadman's Manual of Acupuncture for the illustration - if you are interested in the EXACT details of points, this is a great online resource www.amanualofacupuncture.com

If there were ever a single acupoint I would place into every mature woman’s self-care toolkit, it would be Stomach 36, known in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as Zu San Li—“The Point of Three Miles.”

t is ancient, potent, deeply nourishing, and profoundly supportive as we age.

This point has been honoured for thousands of years as a Master Point of the body—one of those extraordinary places where energy gathers and healing potential concentrates.

It influences digestion, vitality, immunity, emotional steadiness, leg strength, and longevity. It’s the point soldiers, travellers, monks, and healers of old relied upon to keep going strong when energy ran low.

Finding ST36 is simple once you know the landmarks:

1. Sit comfortably with your legs relaxed.

2. On the outer side of your lower leg, find the bony bump below your knee—your tibial tuberosity.

3. Place four finger-widths below that bump.

4. Move one finger-width outward (toward the outer side of your leg from the shin bone).

5. Feel around, even close your eyes and you will sense a 'dip' - master points like this one have less electrical resistance on the skin surface, so you feel your finger 'fall into' them. You’ll usually find a slightly tender or “alive” spot. That’s your sign you’ve arrived. Can't sense it? don't worry, we are not using needles massage the general area.

Massage (1–3 minutes per side)

Use your thumb or knuckles and rub in small circles.

It may feel tender at first—that’s normal. The tenderness gradually eases as the point opens.

Tap

Lightly tap with your fingertips to activate the point and wake up your Qi.

Hold or Rest Your Hand

If you’ve had surgery, have sensitive tissue, or simply want a gentler approach, rest your hands on the points. Energy responds beautifully to intention.

Essential Oils

Apply a drop (diluted) of your favourite essential oils - think of ones that are earthy and grounding: I love patchouli, oak moss, any of the cedarwoods ..... if you can energy test you can identify EXACTLY what your ST 36 wants!

Combine With Breath

Inhale through the nose…Exhale down your legs to your feet. This “directs the energy downward,” grounding your whole system.

Tip: Always work on both legs. One is often more tender, showing where energy may need extra support.

ST36 is a Powerhouse of the Earth Element.

It strengthens, nourishes, and stabilizes the whole energetic system.

PHYSICALLY, ST36 is famous for supporting:

• Digestion & nutrient absorption

• Energy levels and stamina

• Immune function

• The gut–brain axis

• Blood sugar regulation

• Healthy blood pressure

• Circulation to the legs & feet

• Strength of the quadriceps and knee stability

It is one of the top points used for:

• Fatigue and low vitality

• Poor appetite

• Digestive issues (bloating, constipation, nausea)

• Weak muscles or shaky legs

• Chronic illness recovery

• Inflammation

It’s often called the “Master of Digestion and Vitality.”

On an energetic and emotional level, ST36:

• Grounds your spirit

• Replenishes depleted energies

• Smooths worry, overthinking, and mental looping

• Restores confidence and inner steadiness

• Helps you feel more present in your body

Energetically, this point activates the Sea of Nourishment—the part of your system that feeds, supports, and fortifies your inner reserves.

The ancient legend tells of soldiers in long-ago China who massaged this point before battle or gruelling marches. Working ST36 was believed to give them the stamina to walk three more miles, even when utterly exhausted.

Another story speaks of elders who massaged this point daily to extend their lifespan and remain strong well into old age.

In Japanese traditions, heating the point with moxibustion was considered a practice of longevity and resilience. It was said that those who regularly worked Zu San Li rarely fell ill.

Whether taken literally or symbolically, the message is the same:

ST36 is the point that helps you go further, stay stronger, and remain grounded through life’s challenges.

In the Crone Zone, we know that aging is not a decline—it is a distillation of our essence.

But our bodies need support as they shift.

ST36 is profoundly helpful for:

• Maintaining leg strength (crucial for balance, hence I included it in BALANCE IN THE CRONE ZONE)

• Supporting digestion as metabolism naturally slows

• Boosting immune resilience

• Sustaining Qi and stamina

• Reducing inflammation

• Calming the mind when worries accumulate

• Supporting emotional “groundedness”

This point strengthens the Earth Element, which governs:

• Stability

• Nourishment

• Physical grounding

• Mental clarity

• Emotional steadiness

When Earth is strong, we feel centred, settled, and supported from the inside out.

TCM identifies certain points as “Master Points”—locations where powerful systemic effects can be accessed.ST36 is the Master Point of the abdomen and digestive system.

You might also think of it as the body’s central generator of energy and nourishment.

It’s no wonder ancient cultures treated it with such reverence.

Stomach 36 helps us stay strong, nourished, grounded, and resilient—physically, emotionally, and energetically. This is the point that helps you keep walking your path……with strength, purpose, vitality, and grace.