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BL-11 Great Shuttle
大杼 〔大杼〕 dà zhù
Alternate names: 背俞 bèi shù, Back Transport
Channel: BL, foot greater yáng (tài yáng) bladder channel
Modern location: An acupoint located on the upper back, level with the inferior border of the spinous process of the first thoracic vertebra, 1.5 cùn lateral to the midline.
Classical location: In the depression on the nape of the neck, one cùn and five fēn either side of the spine, below the first vertebra. The point is found in straight sitting posture. From
Local anatomy: The medial cutaneous branches of the posterior branches of the intercostal artery and vein. The medial cutaneous branches of the posterior rami of the 1st and 2nd thoracic nerves; deeper, their lateral cutaneous branches.
Action: Dispels the wind evil; resolves exterior heat; soothes the sinews and vessels; regulates the bones and joints.
Modern indications: Cough; heat effusion; headache; stiff nape; shoulder and back pain.
Classical indications: Headache and shivering; lumbar and back pain; throat impediment (hóu bì); fullness in the chest and panting; malarial disease; absence of sweating in cold damage;
Needle stimulus: Needling: 0.5 cùn downward oblique insertion. Moxa: 3‒7 cones; pole 10‒20 min.
Needle sensation: Distension and numbness, sometimes spreading over the back of the shoulder.
Point groups: Meeting (huì) point of the bones; intersection point (jiāo huì xué) of the hand and foot greater yáng (tài yáng) channels (SI and BL).
Point name meaning:
In ancient China, the spinal vertebrae were referred to as 杼骨 (zhù gǔ), shuttle bones, because the vertebrae resembled a shuttle weaving in and out of the pattern formed by the posterior of the rib cage. The first vertebra, being the most prominent, is labeled with the epithet great
(大椎: see Great Hammer,