Atlas of Acupuncture

4 Acupuncture Points of the Twelve Primary Channels

Location

Approximately 1.3 cun lateral to ➞Du-15, where the trapezius

muscle inserts on the lower border of the occiput, close to where

the major occipital nerve emerges.

How to find

With the patient’s head in an upright and relaxed position, first

locate ➞G.B.-20below the lower border of the occiput and

between the insertions of the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius

muscles. From there, palpate in a medial and inferior direction at

a 45° angle, until the finger comes to a halt against the bulge of

the trapezius muscle. This is the location of BL-10. For refer-

ence: If the practitioner places their left middle finger on

➞G.B.-20, the (shorter) index finger will be pointing to BL-10.

Located on the same level is ➞Du-15(approximately 1.3 cun

lateral to the midline and superior to the axis (first palpable spin-

ous process)).

Needling

0.5–1 cun vertically or slightly obliquely in a dorsal direction.

Caution: Do not needle in a superior direction.

Actions/Indications

● Regulates the Qi, calms Wind and the shen, benefits the head

and sensory orifices

● Opens the channel

● Strengthens the lower back

● Expels Wind

Special features

Window of Heaven point. Important point for expelling (internal

and external) Wind. In contrast to ➞G.B.-20, BL-10is used in

clinical practice mainly for pacifiying internal Wind.

BL-10 Heavenly Pillar TIANZHU

Vertebral prominence,

spinous process

Scapular

spine

External occipital protuberance

Sternocleidomastoid

Splenius capitis

Trapezius

Lower

border of

the occiput

BL-10

Du-14

Du-15

Occipital

bone

Atlas

Axis

1st palpable

transverse

process

Trapezius,

superior

fibres

Sternocleido-

mastoid

Du-16

G.B.-20

G.B.-20

Hairline

G.B.-20

G.B.-12 Du-15

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

Du-16

BL-10

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