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BL-57 Mountain Support

承山 〔承山〕 chéng shān

Alternate names: 肠山 cháng shān, Intestine Mountain; 肉桂 ròu guì, Fleshy Cinnamon; 伤山 shāng shān, Damage Mountain; 鱼腹 yú fù, Fish Belly; 鱼腰 yú yāo, Fish's Lumbus

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

Modern location: An acupoint located on the posterior aspect of the lower leg, between the two heads of the gastrocnemius muscle at their lower extent.

Classical location: Below Sinew Support (BL-56), in the parting of the flesh at the lower tip of the belly of the calf. From The Golden Mirror of Medicine (医宗金鑑 yī zōng jīn jiàn)

Local anatomy: See BL-56.

Action: Soothes the sinews and cools the blood; harmonizes the intestines and eliminates hemorrhoids.

Modern indications: Hemorrhoids; leg qì (jiǎo qì, beriberi): constipation; pain and hypertonicity in the lumbus and legs; hemorrhoids; constipation.

Classical indications: Heel pain; no pleasure in eating; painful glomus in the chest and diaphragm; leg qì (jiǎo qì, beriberi).

Needle stimulus: Needling: 0.5‒0.8 cùn perpendicular insertion. Moxa: 3‒7 cones; pole 5‒15 min.

Needle sensation: Distension and numbness.

Point groups: One of Mǎ Dān-Yáng’s twelve heavenly star points.

Point name meaning:

The gastrocnemius muscle can be seen to resemble a mountain. This point is located in a position that supports the weight of that mountain. Additionally, the gastrocnemius muscle divides at this point, creating an indentation that resembles the character (rén), which means man. The point may therefore be called Mountain Support because the area resembles a man bearing the weight of a mountain.

The alternate name Fish Belly refers to the calf muscle’s resemblance to the belly of a fish. See acupoint names: origins, meanings, and translations.

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