Dachangshu and Zhibian
Star大腸俞、秩邊 (Dàchángshū, Zhìbiān)
Modern Chinese point-pair (对穴) teaching, as compiled by Guo Changqing and colleagues at the School of Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine.
Points
-
Back-Shu point of the Large Intestine; regulates the bowel and strengthens the lower back and legs.
Prone. 1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of the L4 spinous process, level with the tops of the iliac crests. Needle straight in to 0.5–0.8 cun. The source lists the layers as subcutaneous tissue, then quadratus lumborum and psoas major; the erector spinae and thoracolumbar fascia are crossed first. Seek an aching numbness spreading into the hip and along the leg.
-
Outer Bladder-line point on the buttock; frees the channel for sciatic pain and benefits urination and the anus.
Prone. On the buttock, level with the fourth posterior sacral foramen (the level of the sacral hiatus), 3 cun lateral to the median sacral crest. Insert perpendicularly or obliquely 1.5–3.0 cun into gluteus maximus. An aching numbness should spread to the lower abdomen and the hip. The sciatic nerve lies deep here; if an electric sensation shoots down the leg, withdraw slightly rather than manipulate further.
Treatment Principle
Strengthen the lower back and legs, free the flow in the channel and collaterals, and regulate the lower burner.
Indications
Method
Patient prone. BL25 is needled perpendicularly 0.5–0.8 cun until the sensation runs into the hip and along the leg; BL54 is needled perpendicularly or obliquely 1.5–3.0 cun until it spreads to the lower abdomen and hip.
⚠ Cautions
BL54 is needled deeply close to the sciatic nerve: avoid strong manipulation once an electric sensation is obtained.
About
A lumbar–buttock pairing for lower-back and leg problems — lumbosacral pain, weak or numb limbs — that also regulates the lower burner for haemorrhoids, constipation and painful urination.
Rationale
BL25, the Back-Shu point of the Large Intestine at L4, treats both the bowel and the lower back; BL54 on the outer Bladder line at the level of the fourth sacral foramen frees the channel through the buttock and leg and benefits the anus and urination. The pair follows the Bladder channel from the lumbar spine into the buttock.
Sources
- Guo Changqing (ed.). Acupuncture of Acupoint Combinations: Quick Lookups. Daylesford: Heart Space Publications, 2020 (English edition; © China Science and Technology Press). ISBN 978-0-6489215-5-4. Chapter 3, combination 17.
📝 Notes
Public notes from the community and your own private notes on Dachangshu and Zhibian.
No notes yet.