Meet Your Shoulder’s Surprising Ally Hidden on the Leg

Known as the “frozen shoulder acupoint,” Tiao Kou provides support for shoulder health.

ST38 Narrow Opening (Tiao Kou) The Epoch Times

If you’ve ever experienced acupuncture, you know that moment when the practitioner presses around a point and asks, “Does that feel sore?” That reaction—whether it’s a deep ache, tingling, or sharp tenderness—is no accident. It’s how ancient practitioners located effective treatment points, often referred to as “ashi” points in modern practice.

Legend traces the origin of ashi points to one particular acupoint: Narrow Opening (Tiao Kou, ST38), located on the lower leg. Sun Si Miao, one of the most revered traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) physicians, is said to have cured a hunter’s chronic pain after observing a strong response to pressure on this point simply by needling it. Today, Tiao Kou continues to hold its reputation, particularly in the treatment of shoulder disorders. Though it is located far from the shoulder itself, its effect is far-reaching.

From Classical Texts to Clinical Significance

Tiao Kou was first recorded in “The A-B Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion,” the earliest surviving acupuncture manual compiled in the 3rd century. What sets Tiao Kou apart is its ability to expel external pathogens of wind and dampness, which are common TCM culprits behind dull aches, heaviness, limited mobility, and sharp pain during joint movement.