Atlas of Acupuncture

4 Acupuncture Points of the Twelve Primary Channels

Connections with zangfu-Organ systems

Pericardium (xin bao), Triple Burner (san jiao)

● The Triple Burner divergent channel spreads in the thorax, so

that T.B. points can be used to support the treatment of tho-

racic problems such as pain, coughing etc.

ST-12

T.B.-16

(5th confluence)

Du-20

T.B.-20

4.10.2 The Triple Burner Divergent

Channel (shou shao yang jing bie)

Pathway

The Triple Burner divergent channel separates from the Triple

Burner primary channel near T.B.-20(jioasun)

➡ascends to ➞Du-20(baihui)

➡descends along the posterior aspect of the ear to the neck to

T.B.-16(tianyou) on the posterior border of the sternocleido-

mastoid muscle, where it connects with the Triple Burner pri-

mary channel and the Pericardium primary channel to form one

of the six he-confluences (here: P/T.B. as fifth confluence ➞1.3)

➡The Triple Burner divergent channel further descends to

➞ST-12(quepen) in the supraclavicular fossa, penetrates the

thorax, disperses in the Pericardium (xin bao) and reaches the

Upper, Middle and Lower Burners.

Clinical importance

● Strengthens the relationship between the Upper, Middle and

Lower Burners. T.B. points can be used for disorders affect-

ing these areas and Organs.

● The Triple Burner divergent channel reaches the vertex at

➞Du-20. Therefore, T.B. points can be used for headaches,

dizziness, etc, but also to raise the Yang Qi for prolapse, etc.

G.B.-13

(Meeting point

of the three

handyang

sinew channels)

4.10.3 The Triple Burner Sinew

Channel (shou shao yang jing jin)

Pathway

The Triple Burner sinew channel begins on the ring finger, at the

ulnar corner of the nail at T.B.-1(guanchong)

➡travels between the 4th and 5th metacarpal bones to the wrist

➡binds (jie) at T.B.-4(yangchi)

➡continues along the posterior aspect of the forearm between

the Small Intestine and Large Intestine sinew channels, binds

(jie) at the olecranon, ascends the posterior aspect of the upper

arm to bind (jie) at the posterior corner of the acromion, trav-

erses the posterior aspect of the shoulder and the lateral

aspect of the occiput and there meets the Small Intestine

sinew channel. It then reaches the mandibular angle, where it

divides into two branches:

➡One branchenters internally and penetrates the root of the

tongue

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