Atlas of Acupuncture

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

Location

On the laterodorsal aspect of the knee, 1 cun superior and lateral

to the centre of the popliteal crease (➞BL-40), medial to the

biceps femoris muscle, or 1 cun proximal to ➞BL-39.

How to find

To locate the popliteal crease, ask the patient to flex their knee

slightly and palpate for the knee joint space. By flexing the knee

against resistance, the tendon of the biceps femoris muscle will

become more pronounced and visible. Locate BL-381 cun

superior to the knee joint on the medial border of the tendon.

➞BL-39is located 1 cun distal to BL-38on the level of the

popliteal crease.

Needling

Vertically 1–2 cun

Actions/Indications

● Relaxes the muscles and tendons

● Opens the channel and luovessels

● Clears Heat (from the Small Intestine)

Floating Cleft FUXI BL-38

BL-38

Popliteal crease

1 cun

BL-39

Biceps

femoris

Popliteal

crease

BL-40 BL-39

1 cun

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