Bladder Channel

Fufen BL-41

Chinese: 附分

Pinyin: Fù Fēn

Location

3 cun (about 4 finger-breadths) lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the 2nd thoracic vertebra (T2). 

How to locate

First locate the spinous process of the 7th cervical vertebra (C7), which is still palpable when the neck is being flexed and extended, while the 6th cervical vertebra (C6) starts to slide anteriorly and gradually disappears. 

The spinous process of the 2nd thoracic vertebra (T2) is two spinous process below C7. 

Fufen BL-41 is 3 cun lateral to the lower border of T2. Fengmen BL-12 is at the same level but 1.5 cun lateral to T2. 

Points located between Fufen BL-41 and Zhibian BL-54 are in the lateral branch of the Bladder Channel, while these between Fengmen BL-12 and Baihuanshu BL-30 are in the medial branch.

Main actions

  1. Removes Obstructions from the Channel and eases pain
  2. Expels Wind-Cold

Indications

Back pain Neck pain Stiff neck Scapula pain Elbow numbness Upper arm numbness Shoulder contraction

Needling

Obliquely 0.3–0.5 cun.

Caution: Pneumothorax.

Commentary for Fufen BL-41

Fufen BL-41 is not a major point of the Bladder Channel. 

Its main action is to remove Obstructions from the Channel and expel Wind-Cold.