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Channel: BL, foot greater yáng (tài yáng) bladder channel

Modern location: An acupoint located on the back, level with the inferior border of the spinous process of the ninth thoracic vertebra, 3 cùn lateral to the midline.

Classical location: In the depression three cùn either side of the spine, below the ninth vertebra. The point is found in straight sitting posture. From The Great Compendium of Acupuncture and Moxibustion (针灸大成 zhēn jiǔ dà chéng)

Local anatomy: Posterior branches of the intercostal artery and vein. Lateral branches of the posterior rami of the 7th and 8th thoracic nerves.

Action: Courses the liver and rectifies qì; fortifies the spleen and harmonizes the stomach; frees and regulates bowel qì.

Modern indications: Chest and rib-side pain; retching and vomiting; diarrhea; back pain.

Classical indications: Inability to get food and drink down; rumbling intestines and diarrhea; reddish urine; irregular defecation; hypertonicity of the sinews and bone pain.

Needle stimulus: Needling: 0.5 cùn downward oblique insertion. Moxa: 3‒7 cones; pole 5‒20 min.

Point name meaning:

• 魂 hún: soul, spirit
• 门 mén: gate, door

The 魂 (hún) (spirit stored in the liver) is said to enter and leave the body through this point. This may be an extrapolation of the fact that BL-47 is located lateral to the Liver Transport (gān shù, BL-18), or that, like BL-18, this point is located at about the level of the liver. See acupoint names: origins, meanings, and translations.

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