Atlas of Acupuncture

4 Acupuncture Points of the Twelve Primary Channels

Location

In the depression distal to the base of the 1st metatarsal bone, on

the border of the red and white skin.

How to find

When palpating along the border of the red and white skin

(sole/dorsum of the foot) on the medial aspect of the midfoot

from proximal towards medial, the base of the 1st metatarsal

bone (➞2.6.2) forms a distinct bony prominence. SP-4is

located in the depression distal to this prominence, at the junc-

tion of the shaft and the base of the bone.

➞SP-3is located slightly more distally at the junction of the

head and the shaft of the 1st metatarsal bone. ➞BL-64is

located in a comparable position on the lateral aspect of the mid-

section of the foot (at the junction of the shaft and the base of the

5th metatarsal bone).

Needling

0.5–1 cun vertically or obliquely from medial towards lateral.

Caution: Needling may be painful.

Actions/Indications

● Strengthens and regulates the Spleen Qi, eliminates Dampness

● Calms the shen

● Benefits the Heart and chest

● Regulates the chong mai

● Local point, for example for metatarsalgia

Special features

Luo-connecting point, opening (master) point of the chong mai.

Important point for distension and pain in the upper and lower

abdomen caused by Qi stagnation, Blood stasis or obstruction

due to Dampness.

SP-4 Grandfather Grandson GONGSUN

Navicular

Medial cuneiform

Metatarsal bones

Proximal

phalanges

Medial

Distal phalanges

phalanges

Calcaneus

Navicular

tuberosity

Base of the

1st metatarsal

bone

BL-64 BL-63

SP-3

Base of metatarsal I

Border‘red/white skin’

SP-4

Tibialis anterior

KID-3 15

cun

SP-1

SP-4 KID-2

SP-5

Highest

prominence

of the medial

malleolus

14

G.B.-40

G.B.-41

ST-43

G.B.-42

G.B.-43

BL-67 ST-44

G.B.-44

ST-45

LIV-1 SP-1

LIV-3

ST-42

LIV-4

ST-41 SP-5

SP-4

SP-3

SP-2

BL-66

BL-65

BL-64

BL-63

Ex-LE-10

(bafeng)

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