中瀆 (Zhōngdú) — Central River
Gallbladder channel · point 32
Traditionally used for
- Nerves & recovery
- Pain & joints
Location
On the lateral aspect of the thigh, 7 cun above the popliteal crease, just posterior to the iliotibial band.
Focks' Atlas of Acupuncture places it 5 cun above the popliteal crease (2 cun below its GB31), between the vastus lateralis and biceps femoris muscles.
How to locate: Measure 7 cun above the popliteal crease on the lateral thigh, about 2 cun below GB31 (where the middle fingertip rests with the arms hanging); abducting the hip against resistance raises the iliotibial band, and the point is in the depression just behind it.
Distances are in cun, a proportional unit — how to measure.
3D view
3D view not available for this point: its position can't be carried onto the 3D model reliably (it failed a placement check). The 2D maps above show it.
Needling
Cited needling
Techniques — the source gives these as alternatives:
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Perpendicular insertionDepth 1–2 cunskindeeper
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Slightly oblique insertion — posteriorlyDepth 1–2 cunskindeeper
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Oblique insertion — directed proximally or distallyDepth 1.5–2.5 cunskindeeper
Depths describe average adult habitus in the cited population, never a single safe number for the patient in front of you. Palpate and adjust.
Sources (1)
- Deadman P, Al-Khafaji M, Baker K. A Manual of Acupuncture. Hove: Journal of Chinese Medicine Publications; 1998 — p. 449 Supports: techniques (names this point)
Site notes · not cited
Functions
- Activates the channel and expels wind, damp and cold
Indications
Balance Method partners
Under Dr. Tan's six systems, GB32 at the thigh balances these channels at the regions its segment images.
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1. Same Chinese nameTriple Energiser channelUpper arm · Mirror (arm ↔ leg)Forearm · Reversed mirrorLower abdomen, Sacrum · Image, head at the hand/footSolve for the Triple Energiser channel →
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2. Branching (Bie Jing / Zang Fu Bie Tong)Heart channelUpper arm · Mirror (arm ↔ leg)Forearm · Reversed mirrorLower abdomen, Sacrum · Image, head at the hand/footSolve for the Heart channel →
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3. Interior–exterior pairLiver channelThigh · Same segment, opposite sideLower abdomen, Sacrum · Image, head at the hand/footSolve for the Liver channel →
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4. Chinese clock oppositeHeart channelUpper arm · Mirror (arm ↔ leg)Forearm · Reversed mirrorLower abdomen, Sacrum · Image, head at the hand/footSolve for the Heart channel →
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5. Chinese clock neighbourTriple Energiser channelUpper arm · Mirror (arm ↔ leg)Forearm · Reversed mirrorLower abdomen, Sacrum · Image, head at the hand/footSolve for the Triple Energiser channel →
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6. Same channelGallbladder channelThigh · Same segment, opposite sideLower abdomen, Sacrum · Image, head at the hand/footSolve for the Gallbladder channel →
Similar Points
Sources
- World Health Organization. WHO Standard Acupuncture Point Locations in the Western Pacific Region. Manila: WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific, 2008. (Location.)
- Focks C, ed. Atlas of Acupuncture. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, 2008. (Locating method and actions.)
📝 Notes
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