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 1st lumbar vertebra (L1).

How to find

For orientation in the lumbar region (➞3.4.3), first, determine the

Tuffier’s line (a line connecting the highest points of the iliac

crests), which in most cases intersects with the spinous process

of L4 (note: this varies depending on the patient’s position ➞3.4.3).

From there, count upward to the lower border of the spinous

process of L1 and, on this level, locate BL-221.5 cun in a lateral

direction, on the highest point of the paraspinal musculature.

Located on the same level are ➞Du-5(on the midline), a point

of ➞Ex-B-2/BL-51/Ex-B-4(0.5 cun/3 cun/3.5cun lateral of the

midline).

Needling

Obliquely 0.5–1.5 cun. Caution: Kidneys.

Actions/Indications

● Regulates the Triple Burner

● Opens the water passages and promotes urination

● Has an effect on the shaoyang

Special features

Back-shupoint of the Triple Burner. Especially regulates the

relationship between the Middle and Lower Burner.

BL-22 San Jiao Shu SANJIAOSHU

BL-51

Spinous process L2

Spinous process L1

Spinous process L1 Ex-B-4

Ex-B-2

(parts)

Spinous process L1

Spinous process L2

Spinous process L3

1.5

cun

BL-22

Level of the

iliac crests

Spinous process L1

Spinous process L2

Spinous process L3

Spinous process L4

Spinous process L5

Level of the iliac crests

(dependent on patient position)

Level of spinous process C4

17

18

20

23

25

8

6

4

Ex-B-6^3

52

49

47

46

9

10

11

12

1

2

3

4

5

9

Ex-B-4

Ex-B-5 Ex-B-5

Ex-B-7

Ex-B-3

Du-3

Level of Spinous process L4

the iliac

crests

BL-23

BL-52

Du-4

Tuffier‘s line

Du-5

Spinous process L1

Spinous process L2

Spinous process L3

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