Atlas of Acupuncture

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

Location

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

border of the spinous process of the 2nd lumbar vertebra (L2).

How to find

For orientation in the lumbar region (➞3.4.3), first, determine

the Tuffier’s line (a line connecting the highest points of the iliac

crests), which in most cases intersects with the spinous process

of L4 (note: this varies depending on the patient’s position ➞3.4.3).

From there, count upward to the lower border of the spinous

process of L2 and, on this level, locate BL-231.5 cun in a lateral

direction, on the highest point of the paraspinal musculature.

Located on the same level are ➞Du-4(on the midline), a point

of ➞Ex-B-2/BL-52(0.5 cun/3 cun lateral of the midline).

Needling

Vertically or obliquely 0.5–1.5 cun. Caution: Kidneys.

Actions/Indications

● Strengthens the Kidneys, tonifies the Kidney Qi and Yang,

benefits the Essence (jing), nourishes the Kidney Yin

● Regulates the Lower Burner, benefits the uterus

● Benefits the bones and the marrow

● Benefits the eyes and ears

● Strengthens the lower back

Special features

Back-shupoint of the Kidneys, according to some authors,

meeting point with the du mai. Major point for tonifying the

Kidneys. Use tonifying needle techniques for all Kidney deficiency

syndromes. Moxibustion tonifies especially the Kidney Yang.

Caution: Moxibustion is contraindicated for Kidney Yin defi-

ciency with empty Heat (Heat in the Five Hearts (Heat in the

thorax, the palms and the soles of the feet), night sweats, rest-

lessness, often a red tongue).

KidneyShu SHENSHU BL-23

Midline

1,5

cun

BL-23

BL-22

Level of BL-24

the iliac

crests

Spinous process L1

Spinous process L2

Spinous process L3

Spinous process L4

(dependent on

patient position)

Level of the iliac crests

Level of spinous process L4

(dependent on

patient position)

Lower border of

the spinous process

(BSP) of L2 BL-23

Level of the Du-4

iliac crests

(dependent on

patient position)

Spinous process L2

Spinous process L3

Spinous

process C4

BL-52

MSc

Spinous process L1

Spinous process L2

Spinous process L3

Ch04.7a-F10028.qxd 2/23/08 3:54 PM Page 273