Atlas of Acupuncture

6.3 Extra Points: Back (EX-B)

Location

Some authors consider Ex-B-5(xiajishu) to comprise three points:

one point on the midline below the spinous process of the 3rd

lumbar vertebra (L3) (this is the more common and single loca-

tion of this extra point), complemented by two lateral points

3 cun lateral to the centre point on the midline.

How to find

Locate the Tuffier’s line and L4 (➞3.4.3). Locate Ex-B-5on the

midline, on the lower border of the spinous process of L3. Then

measure 3 cun in a lateral direction and there locate the two lat-

eral points of Ex-B-5.

Located on the same level are a point of ➞Ex-B-2/BL-24

(0.5/1.5 cun lateral to the midline).

Needling

0.5–0.8 cun vertically to the skin or obliquely in an inferior direc-

tion. The patient’s back should be straight or overextended to

avoid a spinal puncture. Oblique insertions in a superior direction

should only be carried out by experienced practitioners, as in

small persons (regardless of their weight), the spinal canal can be

reached after only 1.25 cun. Caution: In pregnant women about

to go into labour, this point might have a labour-promoting effect.

Actions/Indications

● Tonifies Kidney Yang

● Opens the channel locally

Special features

Strictly speaking, this extra point should be considered as a single

point and a pair of points with differing indications: depending on

the school of thought and the clinical requirements, the lateral

points are used for localised Qi and Blood stagnation, whereas the

central point is indicated for Kidney Yang deficiency.

LowerShuPoint XIAJISHU Ex-B-5

3 cun

Level of the

iliac crests

Spinous process L1

Spinous process L3

Ex-B-5

Medial borderof the scapula

Du-3

Spinous process L4

Level of the

iliac crests

BL-23

BL-52

Du-4

Tuffier’s line

1.5

cun

BL-24

Level of the

iliac crests

Spinous process L3

Spinous process L4

Spinous process L3

Spinous process L2

Spinous process L1

Ex-B-2

(parts)

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