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 10th thoracic vertebra (T10).

How to find

In a standing position with the patient’s arms hanging down, the

spinous process of T7 is approximately on the level of the inferior

angle of the scapula (➞3.4.2). From there, count down three

spinous processes to the spinous process of T10. BL-19is located

on the level of the lower border of its spinous process and 1.5 cun

lateral to the midline at the highest point of the paraspinal mus-

culature. Or:Use C7 as a reference point (➞3.4.1). From there,

count down 10 spinous processes to T10 and locate BL-191.5

cun lateral to the lower border of its spinous process. Or:Use

the lumbar spine as a reference point (➞3.4.3).

Located on the same level are ➞Du-7(on the midline), a point

of ➞Ex-B-2(0.5 cun lateral to the midline) and ➞BL-48

(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

● Clears Damp-Heat from the Liver and Gall Bladder

● Expels pathogenic factors from the shaoyang

● Tonifies and regulates the Gall Bladder Qi

● Unbinds the chest and relaxes the pathway of the channel

Special features

Back-shupoint of the Gall Bladder. Important point for clearing

Damp-Heat from the Liver and Gall Bladder.

Gall Bladder Shu DANSHU BL-19

1.5

cun

1.5

cun

Spinous process T12

Spinous process T10

Spinous process T7

Spinous process T3

Spinous process C7

Midline

Base of the

scapular spine

Inferior

angle

Bladder channel,

lateral branch

Bladder channel,

medial branch

Medial borderof the scapula

BL-19

BL-19

Lower border of

the spinous process

(BSP) of T10

Du-3

Spinous process L4

Level of the

iliac crests

BL-23

BL-52

Du-4

Tuffier‘s line

Du-7

Spinous process T10

Spinous process T11

Du-14

Extension and

flexion of the head

S.I.-15

G.B.-21

2 fingers on the

spinous processes

of C6 and 7

inferior

Spinous process T10 BL-48

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