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 5th thoracic vertebra (T5).

How to find

After locating the spinous process of C7 (➞3.4.1), count down

5 spinous processes to the lower border of the spinous process

of T5. Located on this level and 3 cun lateral to the midline is

BL-44. Or:With the patient seated and their shoulders in a relaxed

position, the spinous process of T3 is generally on the level of

the medial end of the scapular spine, an easily palpable structure

(➞3.4.2). Locate BL-44by counting down to the level of the

lower border of the spinous process of T5 and measure 3 cun

lateral to the midline.

Located on the same level are ➞Du-11(on the midline), a point

of ➞Ex-B-2(0.5 cun lateral to the midline) and ➞BL-15

(1.5 cun lateral to the midline).

Needling

Obliquely 0.3–0.8 cun. Caution: Pneumothorax.

Actions/Indications

● Regulates the Upper Burner, unbinds the chest

● Opens the channel and alleviates pain

Spirit Hall SHENTANG BL-44

Spinous process C7

Midline

Base of the

scapular spine

Inferior

angle

3 cun

Bladder channel,

lateral branch

Medial borderof the scapula

Spinous process T3

Spinous process T7

Spinous process T5

Spinous process T12

BL-44

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-11

Spinous process T5

Spinous process T7 Inferiorangle

BL-15

Spinous process T3

Spinous process T5

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