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 12th thoracic vertebra (T12).

How to find

In a sitting position with the arms hanging down, the spinous

process of T7 is generally on the level of the inferior angle of the

scapula (➞3.4.2). From there, count down 5 spinous processes

to the lower border of the spinous process of the T12 and locate

BL-503 cun lateral to this point. Or:Locate the articulation of

the most inferior rib with T12 and palpate 3 cun in a lateral direc-

tion for BL-50. Or:Orientation from the lumbar spine (➞3.4.3).

Located on the same level are a point of ➞Ex-B-2(0.5 cun lateral

to the midline) and ➞BL-21(1.5 cun lateral to the midline).

Needling

Obliquely 0.3–0.8 cun. Caution: Pneumothorax, especially with

asthenic patients or patients with emphysema.

Actions/Indications

● Harmonises the Middle Burner

● Opens the channel

Stomach Granary WEICANG BL-50

Spinous process C7

Spinous process T3

Spinous process T7

Spinous process T12

Midline

Base of the

scapular spine

Inferior

angle

3 cun

Bladder channel,

lateral branch

Medial borderof the scapula

BL-50

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-3

Spinous process L 4

Level of the

iliac crests

BL-23

BL-52

Du-4

Tuffier‘s line

BL-21

Spinous process T12

Bladder channel,

lateral branch

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