Atlas of Acupuncture

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

Location

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

border of the spinous process of the 7th thoracic vertebra (T7).

How to find

With the patient standing and their shoulders in a relaxed posi-

tion, the spinous process of T7 is generally on the level of the

inferior angle of the scapula (➞3.4.2). Locate BL-46on the

level of the spinous process of T7, 3 cun lateral to the midline.

Or:With the patient seated, the spinous process of T3 is gener-

ally on the level of the medial end of the scapular spine, an eas-

ily palpable bony protrusion at the medial border of the scapula

(➞3.4.2). From there, count down 4 spinous processes to the

spinous process of T7. Locate BL-46on this level, 3 cun lateral

to the midline. Or:Find the spinous process of C7 (➞3.4.1).

From there, count down 7 spinous processes in an inferior direc-

tion to the spinous process of T7. Locate BL-46on this level,

3 cun lateral to the midline.

Located on the same level are ➞Du-9(on the midline), a point

of ➞Ex-B-2(0.5 cun lateral to the midline) and ➞BL-17

(1.5 cun lateral to the midline).

Needling

Obliquely 0.3–0.8 cun. Caution: Pneumothorax.

Actions/Indications

● Regulates the diaphragm and descends counterflow Qi

● Harmonises the Middle Burner

● Opens the channel and alleviates pain

Diaphragm’s Gate GEGUAN BL-46

Spinous process C7

Midline

Base of the

scapular spine

Inferior

angle

3 cun

Bladder channel,

lateral branch

Medial borderof the scapula

Spinous process T3

Spinous process T7

Spinous process T12

BL-46

S.I.-15 Du-14

G.B.-21

Extension and

flexion of the

head

2 fingers on the

spinous processes

of C6 and 7

Du-9

Spinous process T7 7

Inferior

Spinous process T7 BL-17 angle

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