Atlas of Acupuncture

4 Acupuncture Points of the Twelve Primary Channels

Location

In the middle of the calf, between the two heads of the gastro-

cnemius muscle, on a line connecting ➞BL-40and ➞BL-60,

approximately 8 cun distal to ➞BL-40.

How to find

Slide along the dorsal aspect of the Achilles tendon in a superior

direction until you can feel the depression between the two bel-

lies of the gastrocnemius muscle. This will become more defined

when the patient’s muscles are flexed. Or:Spreading hands

technique (➞2.3.3): Place the little fingers on ➞BL-40(centre

of the popliteal crease) and ➞BL-60(depression between the

Achilles tendon and the highest prominence of the lateral mal-

leolus). The midpoint of this distance, where the thumbs meet,

marks the location of BL-57.

Located on the same level on the anterolateral aspect of the

lower leg are ➞ST-38(1 finger-width lateral to the tibia) and

➞ST-40(2 fingerbreadths lateral to the tibia).

Needling

Vertically or obliquely 1–1.5 cun

Actions/Indications

● Relaxes the muscles and tendons, opens the channel

● Eliminates haemorrhoids (pathway of the Bladder divergent

channel)

Special features

Ma Dan Yang Heavenly Star point. Important local point with

distal effect on the lumbar and anal region.

BL-57 Supporting Mountain CHENGSHAN

15

9

10

11

12

13

14

8

7

6

5

4

3

2

1

16

G.B.-34

G.B.-36

BL-60

19

17

18

G.B.-39 BL-59

BL-58

BL-57

G.B.-40

G.B.-42

G.B.-44

BL-39 BL-40

G.B.-33

cun Poplitealcrease

BL-55

BL-56

G.B.-35

G.B.-37

G.B.-38

cun

Highest

prominence

of the lateral

malleolus

BL-57

Gastro-

cnemius

Standing on

tiptoes

BL-40

BL-60

8 cun

8 cun

BL-57

BL-40

BL-60

Ch04.7b-F10028.qxd 2/22/08 5:00 PM Page 304