Fig. 2. The proper method to locate the ST36 acupoint. (A) Characteristics of the ST36 acupoint's neuroanatomy. The ST36 acupoint is associated with the deep peroneal nerve, which is situated behind the tibialis anterior muscle. (B) Horizontal plane of ST36 acupoint. The deep peroneal nerve, tibial artery, and vein are among the neurovascular bundles that are situated on the interosseous membrane between the tibia and fibula’s interosseous crests. On the basis of the review of the literature and neuroanatomical characteristics, ST36 can be positioned horizontally between the two muscles, tibialis anterior and extensor hallucis longus muscle. It is advised to enter the acupuncture needle horizontally between the muscles of the tibialis anterior and extensor hallucis longus (red arrow) rather than through the tibialis anterior muscle (blue arrow) when targeting the deep peroneal nerve.

Korean J Acupunct 2023;40:128-33 https://doi.org/10.14406/acu.2023.010

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