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BL-48 Yáng Headrope

阳纲 〔陽綱〕 yáng gāng

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 tenth thoracic vertebra, 3 cùn lateral to the midline.

Classical location: In the depression three cùn either side of the spine, below the tenth vertebra. The point is found in straight sitting posture with shoulders spread. 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 8th and 9th thoracic nerves.

Action: Clears the gallbladder and stomach; transforms damp-heat.

Modern indications: Rumbling intestines; abdominal pain; diarrhea; jaundice; dispersion-thirst.

Classical indications: Inability to get food and drink down; abdominal fullness and vacuity distension; irregular defecation.

Needle stimulus: Needling: 0.5 cùn downward oblique insertion. Moxa: 3‒7 cones; pole 5‒10 min.

Point name meaning:

Generally speaking, a given point on the outer branch of the bladder channel shares to some extent the functions of the point located medially to it on the inner branch. Since Gallbladder Transport (dǎn shù, BL-19) is located 1.5 cùn medial to BL-48, we can say that BL-48 is also related to the gallbladder. Thus seen, this pair of points is the uppermost representation of a bowel (腑 (fǔ), as opposed to 脏 (zàng), viscus) on the bladder channel. As the viscera are considered to be yīn in nature while the bowels are yang, these points therefore resemble the headrope of the yang-associated points on the channel. Since the gallbladder is the yáng manifestation of wood-spring, and spring is the head season of the yang, this might be a further reason for naming BL-48 Yáng Headrope. See acupoint names: origins, meanings, and translations.

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