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Which area should be moxibusted with warm needle therapy for cold knees?

Jun 30, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhang Xiuhong
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, the knee refers to the knee joint. For a cold sensation in the knee joint, moxibustion can be applied to acupoints such as Xuehai (SP10), Heding (EX-LE2), Liangqiu (ST34), Yanglingquan (GB34), and Zusanli (ST36). It is advisable in daily life to appropriately consume more warm-natured foods, such as lamb, beef, longan, and ginger. These foods can provide energy to the body, promote blood circulation, and help alleviate symptoms of coldness in the knee joint.

Generally speaking, the knee refers to the knee joint. For coldness in the knee joint, moxibustion can be applied to acupoints such as Xuehai (SP10), Heding (EX-LE2), Liangqiu (ST34), Yanglingquan (GB34), and Zusanli (ST36). Detailed explanations are as follows:

1. Xuehai (SP10)

Xuehai is located on the medial side of the thigh, 2 cun above the medial end of the patellar base, at the prominence of the medial head of the quadriceps femoris muscle. Moxibustion on Xuehai can nourish blood, activate blood circulation, dispel wind and dampness, promote blood circulation in the knee joint area, and alleviate coldness and related discomfort in the knee joint.

2. Heding (EX-LE2)

Heding is located above the knee joint, at the depression above the midpoint of the patellar base. Moxibustion on this point can promote the flow of qi and blood in the local area of the knee joint, improve symptoms such as coldness, pain, and limited movement in the knee joint, and is a commonly used acupoint for regulating knee joint problems.

3. Liangqiu (ST34)

Liangqiu is also a point on the Stomach Meridian of Foot-Yangming, located above the knee joint on the front of the thigh, on the line connecting the anterior superior iliac spine and the lateral end of the patellar base, 2 cun above the patellar base. Moxibustion on Liangqiu can warm meridians, unblock collaterals, dispel cold, and relieve pain, suitable for symptoms such as coldness and pain in the knee joint.

4. Yanglingquan (GB34)

Yanglingquan is located on the lateral side of the lower leg, at the depression in front and below the head of the fibula. As a key acupoint of the Gallbladder Meridian, Yanglingquan governs the tendons. Moxibustion here can relax tendons and bones, dispel wind and dampness, and effectively regulate symptoms such as coldness in the knee joint accompanied by tendon spasms and limited flexion and extension.

5. Zusanli (ST36)

Zusanli is located on the anterior-lateral side of the lower leg, 3 cun below the Dubi point (approximately four finger breadths), one finger breadth away from the anterior border of the tibia. Zusanli is a key acupoint for strengthening the body and improving health. Moxibustion on this point can strengthen the spleen and boost qi, warm meridians, and enhance the body's yang energy, thereby fundamentally improving the constitutional basis for coldness in the knee joint.

In daily life, it is recommended to consume an appropriate amount of warming foods such as lamb, beef, longan, and ginger. These foods can provide energy to the body, promote blood circulation, and help alleviate symptoms of coldness in the knee joint.

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