Foot Taiyang 51-60 Flashcards
BL51 Huang Men
Vitals Gate
BL51 Location
3 cun lateral to GV5, level with the lower border of L1, level with BL22
BL51 Needling
Oblique insertion 0.5 - 1 cun
BL51 Caution
Deep perpendicular insertion carries a risk of injuring the kidney
BL51 Associations
No hats
Trigger Point
BL51 Indication
Conditions/Symptoms:
Breast disorders/pain
Epigastric Pain
Abdominal pain/masses
Constipation
Hardness below Heart
BL51 TCM Actions
Removes stagnation
Regulates San Jiao
Benefits breasts
BL51 Neuroanatomy
Superficial Innervation: Dorsal rami of L1 - L3
Dermatome Segment: L1
BL51 TCM Patterns
?
BL51 Trigger Point
Muscle: Iliocostalis lumborum and superficial quadratus lumborum
Myotome Innervation: Iliocostalis lumborum: dorsal rami of L1; Quadratus lumborum: dorsal rami of T12 - L4
Pain Referral Pattern: Radiating inferiorly along the paraspinal muscles to the buttock
Indications: Low back pain ; myalgia of long extensors of back
BL51 Nearby Points
GV5 - Directly beneath the spinous process of L1
BL22 - 1.5 cun lateral to GV5, level with the lower border of L1
BL52 Zhi Shi
Residence of the Will (Willpower Chamber)
BL52 Location
3 cun lateral to GV4, level with the lower border of L2
BL52 Needling
Oblique insertion 0.5 - 1 cun
BL52 Caution
Deep perpendicular insertion carries risk of injuring the kidney
BL52 Associations
No hats
Trigger Point
59 Piercings for Clearing Heat
BL52 Indications
Lin Syndrome (urination problems)
Urination Difficulty
Genital Swelling/Pain
Strengthen Willpower
Abdominal Distention/Pain
Impotence; Irregular Menstruation
Lumbar Pain/Stiffness
BL52 TCM Actions
Tonifies kidneys and benefits essence
Regulates urination
Strengthens lumbar region
BL52 TCM Patterns
Kidney Essence Deficiency
?
BL52 Neuroanatomy
Superficial Innervation: Dorsal rami of L1 - L3
Dermatome Segment: L2
BL52 Trigger Point
Muscle: Superficial quadratus lumborum
Myotome Innervation: Dorsal rami of spinal nerves from T12 - L4
Location Notes: Travell & Simons (1998) diagram looks closer to L3 at the crest of the iliac spine
Pain Referral Pattern: To lateral hip and below and anterior to iliac spine
Indications: Low back pain
BL52 Notes
Its alternative name Jinggong (Palace of Essence) reflects this points strengthening influence over sexual function (ibid).
In five element acupuncture indicated for a water cf, lack of willpower, sense of hopelessness, weakness from overwork.
The “59 piercings” are named in the Su Wen Ch. 61 and mentioned in Su Wen Ch. 32 and Ling Shu Ch. 23 for treating Heat diseases. This point along with Pohu Bl-42, Shentang Bl-44, Hunmen Bl-47 and Yishe Bl-49 clear Heat from the five Zang.
Jeffrey Yuen (2005, 3 Spirits & 7 Souls) suggests for inability to express fear we can direct the Yuan qi to here for expression by needling Shenshu Bl-23 outwards and then this point relatively perpendicularly. For excessive fear we can direct it back to the Zang by needling this point obliquely towards the inner Bladder line and then needling Shenshu Bl-23 downards.
BL52 Nearby Points
GV4 - Directly beneath the spinous process of the second lumbar vertebra
BL23 - 1.5 cun lateral to GV4, level with the lower border of L3
BL53 Bao Huang
Bladder’s Vitals
BL53 Location
3 cun lateral to the midline, level with the second posterior sacral foramen
BL53 Needling
Perpendicular 1 - 1.5 cun
BL53 Associations
No hats
BL53 Indications
Conditions/ Symptoms:
Lumbar Pain/Stiff
Abdominal Distention
Retention of Urine
Inability to Urinate or Defecate
Difficult Ingestion
Aversion to Wind
Edema
Laridae - gulls/terns - sea birds - UB - water
BL53 TCM Actions
Benefits lumbar region
Activates channel and alleviates pain
Regulates lower jiao and benefits urination
BL53 TCM Patterns
?
BL53 Neuroanatomy
Superficial Innervation: Dorsal rami of S1 - S3
Dermatome Segment: S3
Deeper Structures: Neuromuscular junction of the superior gluteal nerve (L4 - S1) with the gluteus medius muscle
BL53 Nearby Points
BL28 - 1.5 cun lateral to the PML, level with the 2nd PSF
BL32 - On the sacrum, medial and inferior to the PSIS, level with the 2nd PSF
BL54 Zhi Bian
Lowermost Edge
BL54 Location
On the buttock, 3 cun lateral to the GV line, level with the sacrococcygeal hiatus
BL54 Needling
Perpendicular insertion 1.5 - 2.5 cun;
slanted toward the anus 2 - 3 cun
BL54 Associations
No hats
BL54 Indications
Conditions/Symptoms:
Lumbosacral pain/Leucorrhea
Atrophy Lower Limbs
Urination Problems/Dark Urine
Genital Pain/Swelling
Hemorrhoids
Sciatica (esp. pain along back of leg)
Contipation
Seminal Emission
Five Lin Syndrome (Painful Urine)
(Laughter good for parasympathetic nervous system, sacrum location of PNS neurons)
BL54 TCM Actions
Activates meridian and alleviates pain
Benefits lumbar region
Regulates urination and treats hemorrhoids
BL54 TCM Patterns
Bladder Damp Heat ?
Kidney Qi Deficiency?
BL54 Neuroanatomy
Superficial Innervation: Dorsal rami of S1 - S3
Dermatome Segment: S3
BL54 Trigger Point
Muscle: Gluteus minimus and piriformis
Myotome Innervation: Gluteus minimus: Superior gluteal nerve (L4 - S1); Piriformis: Nerve to the piriformis (L5 - S2)
Location Notes: There are several other possible trigger points for gluteus minimus anterior to this point between here and juliao GB-29
Pain Referral Pattern: To the buttock and lateral aspect of the hip, and down the posterior aspect of the thigh and calf
Indications: Diseases of the hip joint ; Degenerative conditions of lumbar ; spine ; Sciatica
BL54 Notes
Important point for pain in the lumbar, sacral region and buttocks as well as for sciatica.
ACATCM and Yin Yang House both list the location of this point as being level with the 4th posterior sacral foramen, contrary to Deadman.
BL54 Nearby Points
UB30 - 1.5 cun lateral to the PML, level with 4th PSF
UB34 - Level with 4th PSF, lateral to GV2
GV2 - On the midline in the sacro-coccygeal hiatus
GV1 - On the midline, midway between the tip of the coccyx and the anus
BL55 He Yang
Confluence of Yang
BL55 Location
On the lower leg, 2 cun inferior to BL40, between the medial and lateral heads of the gastrocnemius, on a line connecting BL40 with BL57
BL55 Needling
Perpendicular 1 - 1.5 cun
BL55 Associations
No hats
Trigger Point
BL55 Indications
Conditions/Symptoms:
Genital Pain
Uterine Bleeding
Lumbar Pain/Leucorrhea
Paralysis Lower Limbs
(swallowed between two heads of gastrocnemius)
BL55 TCM Actions
Activates meridian and alleviates pain
Stops uterine bleeding
Relieves genital pain
BL55 TCM Patterns
?
BL55 Neuroanatomy
Superficial Innervation: Posterior cutaneous nerve of the thigh (S1 - S3)
Dermatome Segment: S2
Deeper Structures: Tibial nerve (L5 - S2)
BL55 Trigger Point
Muscle: Gastrocnemius, soleus and popliteus (deep)
Myotome Innervation: Gastrocnemius: Tibial nerve, specifically roots from S1 and S2; Soleus: Tibial nerve, specifically roots from L5 - S2; Popliteus: Tibial nerve from L5 and S1
Location Notes: Gastrocnemus trigger points may be found all around this point in the upper part of the gastrocnemus muscle. For popliteus point it may be useful to locate slightly medial to make sure you are on the muscle.
Pain Referral Pattern:
Gastrocnemus: Around point and across posterior calf to sole of foot
Soleus: To medial calf
Popliteus: To back of knee
Indications: Calf strain and cramps (gastrocnemus) ; Tenderness in the heel (soleus) ; Diseases of the knee (popliteus)
BL55 Nearby Points
SP9 - On the medial side of the lower leg, in a depression in teh angle formed by the medial condyle of the tibia and the posterior border of the tibia (2 cun below knee joint)
LV7 - Posterior and inferior to the medial condyle of the tibia, 1 cun posterior to SP9
GB34 - Below the lateral aspect of the knee, in the tender depression approximately 1 cun anterior and inferior to the head of the fibula (level with SP 9, also 2 cun below knee joint)
BL56 Cheng Jin
Support the Sinews
BL56 Location
On the lower leg, 5 cun below BL40, midway between BL55 and BL57, in the centre of the belly of the gastrocnemius muscle
BL56 Needling
Perpendicular 1 - 1.5 cun
BL56 Caution
Contraindicated to needling by some classic texts??
BL56 Associations
No hats
Trigger Point
BL56 Indications
Conditions/Symptoms:
Haemorrhoids/Headache/Heat in Head
Urinary/Fecal Incontinence
Muscle Cramps (Calf and Foot)
Acute Lumbar Pain
Nosebleed
BL56 TCM Actions
Activates channel and alleviates pain
Relaxes the sinews
Benefits foot and heel
BL56 TCM Patterns
?
BL56 Neuroanatomy
Superficial Innervation: Posterior cutaneous nerve of the thigh (S1 - S3)
Dermatome Segment: S2
Deeper Structures: Tibial nerve (L5 - S2)
BL56 Trigger Point
Muscle: Tibialis posterior
Myotome Innervation: Tibial nerve (L5 - S2)
Location Notes: May be slightly medial and deep to the gastrocnemus muscle
Pain Referral Pattern: To achilles tendon with spillover across calf and sole of foot
Indications: Pain in the foot and Achilles tendon when running and walking
BL56 Nearby Points
SP8 - On the medial side of the lower leg, 3 cun inferior to SP9, in a depression just posterior to the medial crest of the tibia (5 cun below knee joint so level with BL56)
BL57 Cheng Shan
Support the Mountain
BL57 Location
On the posterior midline of the lower leg, 8 cun below UB40 in a depression formed below the bellies of the gastrocnemius when the muscle is flexed
BL57 Needling
Perpendicular 1 - 2 cun, or oblique directed proximally or inferiorly
BL57 Associations
Heavenly Star Point
Meeting of Bladder with Yang Wei Mai
Trigger Point
BL57 Indications
Conditions/Symptoms:
Constipation; Diarrhea
Anal Prolapse
Muscle Cramps Calf and Foot
Enterorrhagia
Lumbar/Leg Pain
Inability to stand for long
Sciatica; Sore Throat
Hemorrhoids; Heat in Head
Empirical point for hemorrhoids
Word Choice: The bellies of gastrocnemius looks like a camel’s lip
BL57 TCM Actions
Relaxes the sinews
Activates the channel and alleviates pain
Benefits the calf and heel
Treats hemorrhoids (empirical point)
BL57 Neuroanatomy
Superficial Innervation: Sural nerve (L5 - S2)
Dermatome Segment: S2
Deeper Structures: Sural nerve (L5 - S2)
BL57 Trigger Point
Muscle: Soleus
Myotome Innervation: Tibial nerve (L5 - S2)
Pain Referral Pattern: To sacroiliac joint
Indications: Tenderness in the heel
BL57 Notes
The Nei Jing suggests this is the origin of the Yang wei mai instead of Jinmen Bl-63.
Ling Shu Ch. 52, On Wei Qi, suggest this point along with Qichong St-30 to release evil Qi in the legs. It advises to press the point for a time until there is a reaction and then pierce with the fine needle and apply a draining technique. Conditions treated are headache, dizziness and falling to the ground, abdominal pain, fullness, distension and accumulation. If it is painful and the pain moves it can be cured easily; if is is a painless fixed accumulation it is difficult.
BL57 Nearby Points
ST38 - 8 cun below ST35, one fingerbreadth lateral from the anterior border of the tibia
ST40 - 8 cun below ST35, two fingerwidths lateral to the anterior border of the tibia
LV6 - 7 cun above the tip of the medial malleolus (8 cun below knee joint) on the midline of the medial surface of the tibia
BL58 Fei Yang
Soaring Upwards (Taking Flight)
BL58 Location
On the lower leg, 7 cun directly superior to BL60, lateral to and approximately 1 cun inferior to BL57
BL58 Needling
Perpendicular, or oblique insertion directed proximally or distally,
1 - 1.5 cun
BL58 Associations
Luo Connecting Point
Trigger Point
BL58 Indications
Conditions/Symptoms:
Chills and fever w/o sweat
Atrophy of Legs
Blurry Vision
Back Pain
Epistaxis/Nasal Congestion
Dizziness
Mental Health - Bipolar
Headache
Hemorrhoids
BL58 TCM Actions
Treats Hemorrhoids
Harmonizes excess above and deficiency below
Expels Wind-Damp from Taiyang Channel
Activates channel and alleviates pain
BL58 TCM Patterns
?
BL58 Neuroanatomy
Superficial Innervation: Sural nerve (L5 - S2)
Dermatome Segment: S2
Deeper Structures: Sural nerve (L5 - S2)
BL58 Trigger Point
Muscle: Soleus
Myotome Innervation: Tibial nerve (L5 - S2)
Pain Referral Pattern: To ipsilateral face and jaw (exceptional pattern recorded by Travell & Simons, 1998)
Indications: Tenderness in the heel
BL58 Notes
Ling Shu Ch. 6 suggests piercing the Luo points if a disease is in the Yang of the Yin realm (e.g. the Fu organs) implying this point for disorders of the Bladder.
Ling Shu Ch. 19, On the Four Seasonal Qi, advises using the channels and Luo vessels for diseases which occur in spring. They are pierced deeply if severe and more shallow if mild. For the other seasons:
- in summer choose the Yang channels and Luo located in the partings between the skin and flesh
- in autumn choose the Shu-Stream points unless the disease in the Fu organs, then use the He-Sea points
- in winter choose Jing-Well and Ying-Spring opening and retain the needle.
Ling Shu Ch. 21, On Cold and Heat Diseases, repeats the advice to use Luo in spring but and adds that they can also treat diseases of the skin. For the other seasons it differs slightly from Ch. 19:
- in summer choose the partings in skin structures which also treat the muscle and flesh
- in autumn Taiyuan Lu-9 is chosen and can treat the sinews and vessels (this may also apply to other Shu-Stream points for this purpose, text is unclear)
- in winter one chooses the main channel points which also treat the bones and marrow.
Later it suggests using these Luo vessels when the lower abdomen is swollen and there is difficulty urinating along with Luo of the Jueyin (Ligou Liv-5) if they are knotted with blood. If it reaches the stomach then Zusanli St-36 is added.
Ling Shu Ch. 21, on Cold and Heat Disease, advises pricking the Luo collaterals of the Taiyang emanating from here in cases of alternating cold and heat with supplementation of an additional channel based on the specific presentation:
- if the hot and cold sensations are in the skin, the nose is dried up and the patient unable to sweat, supplement the Hand Taiyin Lung channel
- if the hot and cold sensations are in the muscles, the lips are dry and they are unable to sweat, supplement the Foot Taiyin Spleen channel
- if the hot and cold sensations are in the bones and they sweat ceaselessly then this point is not used but the Luo of the Foot Shaoyin, Dazhong Kid-4, is chosen instead.
BL58 Nearby Points
ST39 - 9 cun below ST35 (7 cun above BL60) one fingerwidth lateral from the anterior border of the tibia
GB35 - 7 cun above the tip of the external malleolus on the posterior border of the fibula, level with GB 36 and UB58
GB36 - 7 cun above the tip of the external malleolus on the anterior border of the fibula
BL59 Fu Yang
Instep Yang
BL59 Location
On lower leg, 3 cun superior to BL60
BL59 Needling
Perpendicular or oblique insertion directed proximally or distally, 1-1.5 cun
BL59 Associations
Xi Cleft Point
Trigger Point
BL59 Indications
Conditions/Symptoms:
Chills/fever
Acute spasm of Bladder or Yang Qiao meridians
Low back pain/Lateral ankle sprain
Atrophy of lower limb
Sciatica
Headache
Calash - low wheeled carriage - wheel - feet
BL59 TCM Actions
Benefits lumbar region and legs
Activates channel and alleviates pain
BL59 TCM Patterns
?
BL59 Neuroanatomy
Superficial Innervation: Sural nerve (L5 - S2)
Dermatome Segment: S2
Deeper Structures: Sural nerve (L5 - S2)
BL59 Trigger Point
Muscle: Flexor digitorum longus
Myotome Innervation: Tibial nerve (L5 - S2)
Location Notes: Slightly medial and deep to the gastrocnemus muscle
Pain Referral Pattern: To lateral sole of foot and spillover across medial calf and ankle
Indications: Strain of toe flexors
BL59 Notes
A Xi-Cleft point is the site where the Qi of the meridian is deeply converged. Qi and blood are stored deeply at these particular points. If there appear abnormal reactions at X-Cleft points, it shows that the pathogens have entered the deeper parts of Zang-Fu organs. Thus, they are used for acute, painful symptoms, inflammation, protracted diseases of its pertaining meridian and Zang-Fun organ. Also, Xi-Cleft points of the Yin meridians have hemostatic functions.
Ling Shu Ch. 52, On the Wei Qi, considers this to be the root of the foot Taiyang meridian with the tip being at Jingming Bl-1.
BL59 Nearby Points
GB39 - 3 cun superior to the prominence of the lateral malleolus, between the posterior border of the fibula and the tendons of peroneus longus and brevis
GB38 - 4 cun superior to the prominence of the lateral malleolus, at the anterior border of the fibula
SP6 - 3 cun superior to the prominence of the medial malleolus in a depression close to the medial crest of the tibia
BL60 Kunlun
Kunlun Mountains
BL60 Location
Behind the ankle joint, in the depression between the prominence of the lateral malleolus and the Achilles tendon
BL60 Needling
Perpendicular insertion 0.5 - 1 cun; or directed superiorly to join with KI3 1.5 - 2 cun
BL60 Caution
Contraindicated in Pregnancy!!
BL60 Associations
Jing River
Fire Point
Heavenly Star Point
BL60 Indications
Labour - promote; Low back pain
Epistaxis
Genital Pain; Glandular Disorders
Epilepsy
Neck pain; Headache
Diarrhea; Dyspnea
Spinal Pain anywhere
Main point for pain anywhere along the spine (UB 40 may be used more for pain in the middle of the spine).
Main point for chronic low back pain a/or problems of pain a/or numbness in the lower limbs.
Main point for headache and other excesses effecting the head.
Induce labor or promote discharge of a retained placent.
BL60 TCM Actions
Clears heat and lowers yang
Pacifies wind and lowers excess
Activates entire bladder channel and relieves pain
Relaxes sinews and strengthens lumbar spine
Promotes labour
BL60 TCM Patterns
Bladder Damp Heat
Liver Yang Rising
Lung Rebellious Qi
?
BL60 Neuroanatomy
Superficial Innervation: Sural nerve (L5 - S2)
Dermatome Segment: S1
Deeper Structures: Sural nerve (L5 - S2)
BL60 Notes
The name of this point references the Kunlun mountain range, a metaphor for the ridges of the spine. This indicated the ability of this point to affect the entire length of bladder channel.
Ling Shu Ch. 20, On the Five Evils, advises piercing this point and Yongquan Kid-1, removing any stagnant blood from visible vessels for pathogens in the Kidneys causing aching bones and Yin-type Bi syndrome with numbness, swollen abdomen, difficult defecation, dizziness and aching of the lower back, neck, nape and shoulders. A near identical passage in the Su Wen Ch. 74, gives the same advice but only refers to this point which might save a lot of unnecessary pain.
Ling Shu Ch. 24, On Counterflow Diseases, employs this point for the treatment of Heart pain. It advises piercing this point and Jinggu Bl-64 when treating a Heart pain that feels like being struck with a bent and painful back, associated with the Kidneys.
BL60 Nearby Points
BL62 - Approx 0.5 cun below the inferior border of the lateral maleollus, posterior to the peroneal tendons
GB40 - Anterior and inferior to the external malleolus in a depression on the lateral side of the tendon of extensor digitorum longus
KI3 - In a depression halfway between the prominence of the medial mallolus and the Achilles tendon
