Atlas of Acupuncture

4 Acupuncture Points of the Twelve Primary Channels

Location

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

border of the spinous process of the 6th thoracic vertebra (T6).

How to find

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

count down six spinous processes to the lower border of the

spinous process of T6. Measure 1.5 cun laterally to locate BL-16

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

patient standing and their arms hanging down, the spinous

process of T7 is level with the inferior angle of the scapula

(➞3.4.2). The next spinous process in a superior direction

belongs to T6. Locate BL-161.5 cun lateral to the midline.

Located on the same level are ➞Du-10(on the midline), a point

of ➞Ex-B-2 (0.5 cun lateral to the midline) and ➞BL-45

(3 cun lateral to the midline).

Needling

0.5–1 cun obliquely towards the spine or transversely (subcuta-

neously). Caution: Pneumothorax.

Actions/Indications

● Unbinds the chest and regulates the Qi movement in the tho-

rax and the abdomen

Special features

Despite its designation as Back-shupoint of the du mai, this

point is hardly mentioned in classical or modern texts.

BL-16 Governing Shu DUSHU

Midline

1.5

cun

1.5

cun

BL-16

Spinous process T12

Spinous process T7

Spinous process T6

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

15

17

14

12

46

44

42

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

S.I.-12

S.I.-10

11 13

13

11

9

S.I.-15

Ex-B-3

Spinous process T7 Du-10 Inferior

angle

3 cun

BL-45

Spinous process T7

Spinous process T6

Inferior

angle

Ex-B-2

(parts)

Spinous process L1

Spinous process L2

Spinous process L3

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