Atlas of Acupuncture

6 Extra Points

Location

On the midline, below the spinous process of the 5th lumbar

vertebra (L5).

How to find

Locate the Tuffier’s line and L4 (➞3.4.3). Next, palpate in an

inferior direction to the next vertebra (L5) and locate Ex-B-8

below the border of its spinous process, at the lumbosacral joint.

Located on the same level are a point of ➞Ex-B-2/BL-26

(0.5/1.5 cun lateral to the midline).

Needling

0.5–1 cun vertically to the skin or obliquely in an inferior direc-

tion. The patient’s back should be straight or slightly flexed 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 the Kidneys

● Opens the channel locally

Ex-B-8 Below the 17th Vertebra SHIQIZHUI/SHIQIZHUIXIA

Midline

BL-26

Spinous process L3

Spinous process L4

Spinous process L5

Level of the

iliac crests

Spinous process L3

Spinous process L2

Spinous process L1

Ex-B-2

(parts)

Level of the

iliac crests

Ex-B-8

Spinous process L4

Spinous process L5

Spinous process L1

23

25

4

3

54

Ex-B-6

52

1 2 3 4 5 2

36

30

1

Du mai

Ex-B-8

Ex-B-4

Ex-B-5 Ex-B-5

Ex-B-7

Ex-B-11

Bladder channel,

outer branch

Bladder channel,

inner branch

Du-3

Spinous process L4

Level of the

iliac crests

BL-23

BL-52

Du-4

Tuffier’s line

Ch06b-F10028.qxd 2/22/08 10:04 PM Page 580