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 first

sacral foramen.

How to find

Quick method:Locate the posterior superior iliac spine (PSIS

➞3.4.3): from the rima ani, palpate 3 cun (1 handbreadth) in a

superior and lateral direction at a 45° angle, until you can feel a

distinct bony ridge (often superficially visible by a dimple).

BL-27is located slightly superiorly and medially to the PSIS,

1.5 cun lateral to the midline, on the level of the first sacral fora-

men. For more detail on orientation in the lumbar and sacral

region ➞3.4.3, 3.4.4.

Located on the same level are ➞BL-31(over the 1st sacral fora-

men) and ➞BL-28(slightly below and medial to the PSIS at the

level of the 2nd sacral foramen).

Needling

Vertically 0.5–1 cun

Actions/Indications

● Tonifies the Small Intestine Qi

● Drains Dampness and Damp-Heat

● Regulates the water passages

Special features

Back-shupoint of the Small Intestine

Small Intestine Shu XIAOCHANGSHU BL-27

1.5

cun

Sacral

foramen

2

3

4

BL-27

Midline

1

Posterior

superior

iliac spine

BL-28

45 °

Superior end

of the rima ani

Posterior superior

iliac spine

3 cun

BL-27

BL-28

1.5 cun

Iliosacral joints

Sacrum

Ilium

PSIS

BL-27

BL-28

Posterior superior

finger on the PSIS

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