If you’ve been following the acupoint articles for a while, you might be thinking, “Wait a minute—we’ve already covered an acupoint for knee pain—Xi Guan (Knee Gate, LR7) on the liver meridian. So why do we need another one?”
To answer this question and gain a more comprehensive approach to knee mobility and health, we need to explore how traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) views balance. This is where Knee Yang Gate (Xi Yang Guan, GB33) comes into play. Understanding both acupoints will provide you with a more holistic approach to knee health.
Ancient Theory for Practical Healing
The name of this acupoint provides key insight into its function and helps understand the complementary nature of the two acupoints in question. “Xi” refers to the knee, while “Yang” relates to the yin-yang theory’s active, external, and heat-associated aspect. To maintain optimal health, the body needs a balance between the yin (internal, cool, passive) energy and the yang (external, warm, active) energy.
In TCM, maintaining the harmony of these two forces is essential for health. This balance extends beyond just opposing qualities like hot and cold or light and dark—it applies to the body’s organs and meridians as well.
Meridians exist in paired relationships, consisting of one solid (yin) organ and one hollow (yang) organ. Xi Guan (LR7) is linked to the liver, a yin organ, while Xi Yang Guan (GB33) belongs to the Gallbladder meridian, a yang-associated organ. Stimulating Xi Yang Guan helps regulate the balance between these energy types, ensuring balanced blood and energy circulation and reducing knee-related discomfort.
A Versatile Acupoint Beyond the Knees
Modern TCM practice uses Xi Yang Guan for movement-related disorders like knee arthritis, lower limb paralysis, and soft tissue issues around the knee. However, its benefits extend beyond mobility. This acupoint also influences the urinary system, making it useful in treating enuresis (involuntary urination) and urinary incontinence, a common condition associated with aging and a history of childbirth.
What Does Modern Research Say?
While Western medicine is still uncovering the full scope of acupoint effectiveness, recent studies suggest that Xi Yang Guan has noticeable physiological effects.
A study examined infrared thermal imaging in rats with chronic myocardial ischemia, a condition where the heart muscle doesn’t receive enough oxygenated blood due to reduced blood flow. Researchers compared temperature changes at various acupoints, including Xi Yang Guan, and found that internal diseases caused measurable shifts in acupoint temperature. This supports the idea that acupoints reflect internal organ health and may offer diagnostic insights.
Another clinical trial investigated the effects of electroacupuncture compared to soft-tissue relaxing needling for knee osteoarthritis. Both treatment methods demonstrated improvements in pain levels and joint function. However, soft-tissue relaxing needling proved to be more effective, resulting in a greater reduction in pain intensity and an increase in mobility. This study underscores the importance of targeting specific acupuncture points, such as Xi Yang Guan, to enhance knee health.
How to Locate and Stimulate Xi Yang Guan
To locate this acupoint, follow these steps:
- Standing up, draw an imaginary line from the middle of your knee to the crease behind your knee.
- About halfway along that line, on the outer side of your knee joint, move slightly upward toward your hip.
- Xi Yang Guan is located in a small dip just above the bony bump on the lower outer thigh.
The Xi Yang Guan acupoint can be stimulated in three ways:
- Acupressure: Press firmly for three to five seconds, relax for three seconds, and repeat for one to three minutes per side.
- Massage: Use your index finger or thumb to apply circular pressure for one to three minutes.
- Herbal Patches: Apply overnight for sustained benefits.
- Advanced Techniques: Acupuncture, cupping, or moxibustion (a gentle heat therapy with dried mugwort)) under the guidance of a TCM professional.
A Few Precautions
Avoid stimulation if you have an injury in this area. If you use herbal patches, check the ingredients carefully, especially if you have sensitive skin.
A Balanced Approach to Knee Health
Your knees are crucial to your daily movements, so keeping them healthy is key to enjoying life and staying active. According to traditional Chinese medicine , pain and stiffness in the knees can signal an imbalance between yin and yang energy in your body. By stimulating specific acupoints, you can help restore that balance.
Focusing on Xi Guan, connected to the liver meridian (yin), and Xi Yang Guan, linked to the gallbladder meridian (yang), helps promote healing and overall wellness. Whether you’re dealing with knee discomfort or looking to avoid future problems, these acupoints offer an accessible and effective way to care for yourself.
TCM expert Shihhsiang Hung reviewed this article for accuracy and clarity.
Originally published in Epoch Times on 21 Mar 2025
