Points of the Back (DU/BL) Flashcards
DU 1
category
actions/ indications
DU 1
Luo connecting point of the DU mai
Crossing point of GV, CV, GB, KI
On the midline, midway between the coccyx and the anus
Regulates the intestines and the two lower yin- diarrhea, constipation, dysentery, anal or rectal prolapse, hemorrhoids, hematochezia, dysuria, urinary incontinence
Activates channel and relieves pain- lumbar or sacral pain, stiffness of the spine
Calms the shen- manic depression, epilepsy
DU 2
On the midline, in the sascro-coccygeal hiatus
DU 3
On the midline of the lower back, in the depression below the spinous process of the fourth lumbar vertebra
DU 4
pinyin
actions/indications
DU 4 - mingmen - gate of life
On the midline of the lower back, in the depression below the spinous process of L2
Warms the kidney and strengthens yang- KI yang xu
Benefits the lumbar spine- pain of the low back and legs
DU 5
On the midline of the lowback, in the depression below the spinous process of L1
DU 6
On the midline of the back in the depression below the spinous process of T11
DU 7
On the midline of the back in the depression below the spinous process of T10
DU 8
On the midline of the back in the depression below the spinous process of T9
DU 9
On the midline of the back in the depression below the spinous process of T7
DU 10
On the midline of the back in the depression below the spinous process of T6
DU 11
On the midline of the back in the depression below the spinous process of T5
DU 12
On the midline of the back in the depression below the spinous process of T3
DU 13
Actions/Indications
DU 13
Crossing point of DU and BL
On the midline of the back in the depression below the spinous process of T1
Expels wind and releases the exterior- fever and chills, headache
Clears heat and treats malaria- malaria, alternating fever and chills
Benefits the spine- pain and stiffness of the back and neck
DU 14
Pinyin
Category
Actions/Indications
DU 14 Dazhui - great vertebra
Sea of qi
crossing point of the DU with the six yang channels of the hand and foot
On the midline of the back in the depression below the spinous process of C7
Clears heat- fever, feeling of heat in the body
Expels wind and releases the exterior- exterior patterns
Disperses lung qi and relieves cough and wheezing- cough and asthma
Pacifies wind and calms shen- epilepsy
Treats malaria - malaria, alternating fever and chills
Tonifies qi and yang
Xu sweating
Lack of strength
Exhaustion
SOB w/ difficulty speaking
DU 15
Category
Sea of qi
Crossing point of DU and yang linking
On the midline at the nape of the neck, in the depression 0.5 cun inferior to DU 16, below the spinous process of the C1
DU 16
Category
Actions/ Indications
DU 16
Sea of marrow
WOH
Crossing point of the GV and yang wei mai
On the midline at the nape of the neck, in the depression immediately below the external occipital protuberance
Eliminates wind -epilepsy, hemiplegia, aphasia, dizziness, headache, chills and fever, occipital stiffness or pain
Nourishes the marrow and benefits the head and neck– occipital stiffness or pain, headache, dizziness, tinnitus, blurred vision
Calms the shen- manic depression, hysteria, epilepsy
Resuscitates- coma
DU 17
Meeting point of the DU and BL
At the back of the head, on the midline, 1.5 cun directly above DU16, in the depression superior to the EOP
DU 18
DU 18
At the back of the head on the midline, 1.5 cun directly superior to DU 17, midway between DU 16 and DU20
DU 19
At the back of the head on the midline, 1.5 cun directly superior to BU18 and 1.5 cun posterior to DU 20
DU 20
Pinyin
Category
Actions/Indications
DU 20 Baihui - hundred meetings
Sea of marrow point
Crossing point of DU/BL/GB/LR/SJ
At the vertex on the midline, in the depression 5 cun posterior to the anterior hairline and 7 cun superior to the posterior hairline
Pacifies wind and subdues yang-HA, dizziness, tinnitus, blurred vision, loss of consciousness, hemiplegia
Calms the shen- manic depression, epilepsy, hysteria, insomnia,
Raises yang and treats prolapse - prolapse of the anus, uterus, chronic diarrhea
Benefits the brain, nourishes the sea of marrow- dizziness, tinnitus, empty headache, poor memory, difficulty concentrating
Benefits the head and sense organs- nasal congestion, rhinorrhea, epistaxis
DU 21
At the top of the head on the midline, 1.5 cun directly anterior to DU20 and 3.5 cun posterior to the anterior hairline
DU 22
At the top of the head on the midline, 2 cun posterior to the anterior hairline
DU 23
At the top of the head on the midline, 1 cun posterior to the anterior hairline and 0.5 cun posterior to DU 24
DU 24
Pinyin
actions/indications
DU 24 -shenting (courtyard spirit)
Crossing point of DU/ST/BL
At the top of the head on the midline 0.5 cun posterior to the anterior hairline and 4.5 cun anterior to DU20
Benefits the brain and clams the shen- mania, depression, anxiety, palpitations, insomnia
Eliminates wind and benefits the head- vertigo, dizziness, epilepsy, HA
Benefits the nose and eyes-
Nasal congestion, rhinorrhea, epistaxis, sinusitis, rhinitis, nasal prolapse
Red painful or swollen eyes, diminished visual acuity
DU 25
On the midline at the top of the nose
DU 26
Pinyin
Actions/Indications
DU26 Renzhong - mans middle
Crossing point of DU/LI/ST
Ghost point
Above the upper lip on the midline, at the junction of the upper third and lower two thirds of the philtrum
Resuscitates- loss of consciousness: coma, shock, fainting
Calms the shen- mania, hysteria, epilepsy
Empirical point for acute lumbar strain
DU 28
DU 28
Meeting point of the DU/ CV/ST
Inside the mouth, in the superior frenulum, at the junction of the upper lip and gum
BL 1
Pinyin
Category
Actions/Indications
BL 1 * Jingming - bright eyes
Entry
0.1 cun medial and superior to the inner canthus of the eye, near the medial border of the orbit
Actions - indications
Benefits the eyes - redness, swelling and pain of the eyes, blurred vision, night blindness, photophobia, color blindness
Expels wind and clears heat - lacrimation due to wind
BL 2
Actions/Indications
BL 2
Superior to the inner canthus in a depression in the eyebrow, close to the medial end
Expels wind and clears heat - Bell’s Palsy, redness, swelling, and pain of the eyes, lacrimation due to wind
Benefits the eyes- redness, swelling and pain of the eyes, lacrimation due to wind, blurred vision, night blindness, photophobia, color blindness
Activates the channel and alleviates pain - pain of the forehead, headache, trigeminal neuralgia, Bell’s Palsy
BL 3
Directly superior to BL2 0.5 cun within the anterior hairline, level with GV24
Anterior hairline to posterior hairline = 12cun
BL 4
0.5 cun within the anterior hairline, 1.5 cun lateral to GV24 (1/3rd of the distance between GV24 and ST8)
BL 5
0.5 cun directly posterior to BL4, 1 cun within the anterior hairline and 1.5 cun lateral to GV23
BL 6
1.5 cun posterior to BL 5 and 2.5 cun within the anterior hairline, 1.5 cun lateral to midline
BL 7
1.5 cun posterior to BL6 and 4 cun within the anterior hairline, 1.5 cun lateral to midline
BL 8
1.5 cun posterior to BL 7 and 5.5 cun within the anterior hairline, 1.5 cun lateral to midline
BL 9
1.3 cun lateral to GV17 (which is located in a depression superior to the external occipital protuberance)
BL 10
Pinyin
Category
Actions/indications
BL 10 * Tianzhu (Heavenly Pillar)
Celestial Window (window of the sky)
On the lateral aspect of the trapezius muscle about 1.3 cun lateral to GV15
Actions- Indications
Pacifies wind - headache, dizziness
Calms the spirit - mania, epilepsy
Activates the channel and alleviates pain Pain or stiffness of the neck, back or shoulder
BL 11
Pinyin
Category
Actions/indications
BL 11 * Dazhu (Great Shuttle)
Hui-meeting (influential) point of the bones,
sea of blood
1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the first thoracic vertebra (T1)
Actions- Indications
Disperses wind and releases the exterior- fever, chills, stuffy nose, headache, sore throat
Disperses and descends Lung Qi and alleviates cough - cough, asthma, oppression of the chest
Strengthens the bones - pain, stiffness and other arthritic symptoms of the bones and joints
BL 12
1.5 Cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the second thoracic vertebra
BL 13
Category
Lung back shu
1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the third thoracic vertebra
BL 14
Category
Pericardium back shu
1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the fourth thoracic vertebra
BL 15
Category
Heart Back shu
1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the fifth thoracic vertebra
BL 16
1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the sixth thoracic vertebra
BL 17
Pinyin
Category
Actions/Indications
BL 17 * Geshu (diaphragm shu)
Hui meeting (influential) point for blood
1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the seventh thoracic vertebra (T7)
Actions- Indications
Invigorates blood and dispels stasis - stabbing chest pain; stasis of blood in any organ or part of the body, but particularly the upper part
Cools blood and stops bleeding - hematemesis, hemoptysis, epistaxis, hematochezia
Nourishes Blood - night sweats, steaming bone disorder
Unbinds the chest and subdues rebellious Qi - cough, dyspnea, vomiting, reflux, hiccup
Harmonizes the Stomach and subdues rebellious Stomach Qi - stomach disorders: epigastric pain, vomiting, belching, hiccup
BL 18
Category
Liver Back Shu
1.4 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the ninth thoracic vertebrae
BL 19
Category
Gallbladder Back-Shu
1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the tenth thoracic vertebra
BL 20
Category
Spleen Back Shu
1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the eleventh thoracic vertebrae
BL 21
Category
Stomach Back-Shu
1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the twelfth thoracic vertebra
BL 22
Category
San Jaio Back-Shu
1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the first lumbar vertebra
BL 23
Pinyin
Category
BL 23 * Shenshu (Kidney Shu)
Kidney Back-Shu
1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the second lumbar vertebra
BL 24
1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the third lumbar vertebra
BL 25
Category
Large Intestine Back Shu
1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the fourth lumbar vertebra
BL 26
1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the fifth lumbar vertebra
BL 27
Category
Small Intestine Back Shu
1.5 cun lateral to the midline at the level of the first posterior sacral foramen
BL 28
Category
Bladder Back Shu
1.5 cun lateral to the midline at the level of the second sacral foramen
BL 29
1.5 cun lateral to the midline, at the level of the third sacral foramen
BL 30
1.5 cun lateral to the midline, at the level of the fourth sacral foramen
BL 31
Over the first sacral foramen
BL 32
Over the second sacral foramen
BL 33
Over the third sacral foramen
BL 34
Over the fourth sacral foramen
BL 35
0.5 cun lateral to du mai (midline) Level with the tip of the coccyx
BL 36
In the center of the gluteal fold in a depression lateral to the origin of the hamstring muscles
BL 37
On the back of the thigh, in the depression between the hamstring muscles, 6 cun distal to BL36, and * cun proximal to BL40, on the line connecting BL36 and BL40
BL 38
On the back of the knee, 1 cun superior to BL39, on the medial side of the tendon of biceps femoris
BL 39
Category
Lower He-Sea of the San Jiao
At the back of the knee, on the popliteal crease towards the lateral end, in the depression medial to the tendon of biceps femoris
BL 40
Pinyin
Category
Actions/indications
BL 40 - weizhong - middle of the crook
He-Sea, earth,
ruler of the back,
Lower He-sea of the bladder
At the back of the knee, on the popliteal crease, in a depression midway between the tendons of biceps femoris and semitendinosus
Activates the channel, relaxes sinews and alleviates pain - pain, numbness. Weakness or spasm of the knee, hip, back and legs
Clears heat and cools blood - urticaria, eczema, erysipelas, furuncles, carbuncles
Clears summer heat – summer-heat stroke with fever and delirium; abdominal pain and distention, diarrhea, vomiting
Benefits the bladder - enuresis, dysuria
BL 41
3 cun lateral to the midline, level with the lower border of the pronouns process of the second thoracic vertebra (T2)
Level with BL 12
BL 42
BL43
Pinyin
Actions/Indications
BL 43 * Gaohuangshu (Vital region shu)
3 cun lateral to the midline, level with the lower border of the spinous process of the fourth thoracic vertebra (T4)
Level with BL 14
Actions- Indications
Tonifies and nourishes the Lung, Heart, Kidneys, Spleen and Stomach - All kinds of xu, cough, asthma, coughing blood, night sweating, spontaneous sweating, steaming bone disorder, consumption, emaciation, seminal emission, impotence
Nourishes yin and clears heat- poor memory, pounding of the heart, insomnia, phlegm-fire mania
Calms the spirit - insomnia, Phlegm-fire mania
Fosters the original qi - feebleness and deficiency of the Spleen and Stomach, undigested food (in the stool), esophageal constriction, weariness of the four limbs, vomiting blood
Resolves phlegm - Visual dizziness, dizziness, phlegm disease, pain of the back and shoulder
BL 44
3 cun lateral to midline, level with the lower border of spinous process of T5, and level with BL15
BL 45
3 cun lateral to midline, level with the lower border of spinous process of T6, level with BL16
BL 48
3 cun lateral to midline, level with the lower border of spinous process of T10, level with BL19
BL 46
3 cun lateral to midline, level with the lower border of spinous process of T7, level with BL17
BL 47
3 cun lateral to midline, level with the lower border of spinous process of T9, level with the BL18
*inner and outer bladder lines and Du Mai skip T8
BL 49
3 cun lateral to midline, level with the lower border of spinous process T11, level with BL20
BL 50
3 cun lateral to midline, level with the lower border of spinous process T12, level with BL21
BL 51
3 cun lateral to midline, level with the lower border of spinous process L1, level with BL22
BL 52
Pinyin
Actions/Indications
BL 52 * Zhishi (residence of the will)
3 cun lateral to the midline level with the lower border of the spinous process of the second lumbar vertebra (L2)
Level with BL 23
Actions- Indications
Tonifies Kidneys and benefits essence - exhaustion, dizziness, tinnitus, backache, decreased sexual function, impotence, infertility, premature ejaculation, nocturnal emissions
Regulates urination - dysuria, dribbling urination
Strengthens the lower back - chronic low back pain
BL 53
3 cun lateral to midline at the level of the spinous process of the second sacral vertebra (S2)
BL 54
On the buttock in the depression 3 cun lateral to the sacro-coccygeal hiatus
BL 55
On the lower leg, 2 cun inferior to BL40, on the line connecting BL40 and BL57 in the depression between the two heads of the gastrocnemius muscle
BL 56
On the lower leg, 5 cun below BL40 or midway between BL55 and BL57, in the center of the belly of the gastrocnemius muscle
BL 57
On the lower leg, in the depression formed below the bellies of the gastrocnemius muscle when the muscle is flexed, approximately 8 cun distal to BL40 (midway between BL40 and BL60
BL 58
Category
Luo connecting point
On the lower leg, 7 cun directly superior to BL60, lateral to and approximately 1 cun inferior to BL57
BL 59
Category
Xi cleft point of Yang qiao mai
On the lower leg, 3 cun directly superior to BL60
(have foot flexed at 90*)
BL 60
Pinyin
Category
Actions/indications
BL 60 * Kunlun (kunlun mountain)
Jing River, fire point
Behind the ankle joint, in the depression between the prominence of the lateral malleolus and the achilles tendon
(contraindicated during pregnancy)
Actions- Indications
Activates the channel, relaxes sinews and alleviates pain - pain, weakness, or numbness of the neck back, leg, knee, ankle or heel
Clear heat, pacifies wind and lowers yang - mania, epilepsy, headache, blurred vision, painful red or swollen eyes
Promotes labor - difficult labor and retained placenta
BL 61
On the lateral aspect of the foot directly inferior to BL60, in a tender depression on the calcaneus
BL 62
Pinyin
Category
Actions/Indications
BL 62 * ShenMai (extending vessel)
Master point of the yang qiao mai
On the lateral aspect of the foot directly inferior to the lateral malleolus, in a depression anterior to the peroneal tendons
Actions- Indications
Activates the channel, relaxes the sinew, alleviates pain - pain or weakness of the back and leg, stiff neck, pain of the ankle
Eliminates wind
Interior wind - dizziness, headache, paralysis
Exterior wind - chills and fever, stiff neck and headache
Calms the shen- mania, epilepsy
Opens and regulates the yang qiao mai - insomnia, daytime epilepsy, motor impairment of the lower extremities ( particularly with difference in muscular tone between medial and lateral sides of the legs)
BL 63
Category
XI Cleft
On the lateral side of the foot, in the depression posterior to the tuberosity of the fifth metatarsal bone (in the cuboid sulcus)
BL 64
Category
Yuan source point
On the lateral side of the foot, in a depression anterior and inferior to the tuberosity of the fifth metatarsal bone
BL 65
Category
Shu Stream, wood point
On the lateral side of the foot, in the depression posterior and inferior to the head of the fifth metatarsal bone
BL 66
Category
Ying Spring, water
On the lateral side of the foot, in the depression anterior and inferior to the fifth metatarsophalangeal joint
BL67
Category
Actions/indications
BL 67
Jing well, metal exit
On the dorsal aspect of the little toe, at the junction of lines drawn along the lateral border of the nail and the base of the nail, approximately 0.1 cun from the corner of the nail
Actions- Indications
Eliminates wind and benefits the head and eyes - headache, nasal congestion, painful eyes
Corrects abnormal fetal position and facilitates labor - abnormal fetal position, difficult labor, retention of placenta
