Atlas of Acupuncture

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

Location

1.5 cun lateral to the posterior midline, on the level of the lower

border of the spinous process of the 5th thoracic vertebra (T5).

How to find

First, locate the spinous process of C7 (➞3.4.1). From there,

count down five spinous processes to the lower border of the

spinous process of T5. Measure 1.5 cun laterally to locate BL-15

on the highest point of the paraspinal musculature. Or:With the

patient seated and their arms hanging down, the spinous process

of the T3 is generally on the level of the easily palpable medial

end of the scapular spine (➞3.4.2). From there, count down two

spinous processes in an inferior direction to the T5. Locate

BL-151.5 cun lateral to the midline.

Located on the same level are ➞Du-11(on the midline), a point

of ➞Ex-B-2 (0.5 cun lateral to the midline) and ➞BL-44

(3 cun lateral to the midline).

Needling

0.5–1 cun obliquely towards the spine. In clinical practice, this

point is often needled transversely (subcutaneously) towards the

spine. This allows the patient to lie in a supine position during

needle retention (the needles can be secured with tape). Caution:

Pneumothorax.

Actions/Indications

● Tonifies and nourishes the Heart, regulates the Heart Qi,

unbinds the chest and removes Blood stasis, calms the shen,

clears Fire, moves Qi locally and along the channel pathway:

for example, for disorders of the thoracic spine and inter-

costal region

Special features

Back-shupoint of the Heart

HeartShu XINSHU BL-15

Midline

1.5

cun

1.5

cun

BL-15

Spinous process T12

Spinous process T7

Spinous process T5

Spinous process T3

Spinous process C7

Base of the

scapular spine

Inferior

angle

Bladder channel,

lateral branch

Bladder channel,

medial branch

Medial borderof the scapula

BL-15

Lower border of

the spinous

process (BSP)

of T5

Du-14

Extension and

flexion of the head

S.I.-15

G.B.-21

2 fingers on the

spinous processes

of C6 and 7

Du-11

Spinous process T7

Spinous process T5

Inferior

angle

BL-44

Spinous process T7

Spinous process T5

Inferior

angle

Ch04.7a-F10028.qxd 2/23/08 3:54 PM Page 265