Atlas of Acupuncture

4.7 The Bladder Channel System – Foot taiyang(zu tai yang jing luo)

Location

2.5 cun superior to the posterior hairline and 1.3 cun lateral to

the midline or ➞Du-17(directly superior to the external occipi-

tal protuberance).

How to find

To locate BL-9, ➞Du-17is a good reference point, located on

the midline, in the depression directly superior to the upper bor-

der of the external occipital protuberance (➞3.1.5). From there,

measure 1.3 cun in a lateral direction to locate BL-9, which is

generally located on an imaginary vertical line through ➞BL-10.

Or: Locate the posterior hairline (often not very accurate

➞3.1.5) and, on the midline, measure 2.5 cun in a superior

direction, then 1.3 cun towards lateral.

Located on the same level are ➞Du-17(midline, in the depres-

sion at the upper border of the external occipital protuberance)

and ➞ G.B.-19 (more laterally, on a vertical line through

➞G.B.-20).

Needling

Transversely (subcutaneously) 0.5–1 cun. Moxibustion possible.

Actions/Indications

● Expels Wind and Cold

● Opens the channel and luovessels, alleviates pain

● Benefits the eyes and nose

Special features

In Qigong practice, BL-9plays an important role as one of the

three gates (san guan).

Jade Pillow YUZHEN BL-9

Du-17

Du-16

External

occipital

protuberance

=(atlas)

Hairline

1.3 cun

BL-10

BL-9

Midline

ca.2.5 cun

C1

G.B.-20

G.B.-12 Du-15

G.B.-19 BL-9 Du-17

BL-10

Du-16Du-16

Occipitomastoid

suture Occipital bone

Mastoid

process

External occipital

protuberance

Du-16

BL-9 Du-17 BL-9

Du-17

External

occipital

protuberance

2.25 cun

G.B.-19 1,5 cun

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