Bladder Channel

Shugu BL-65

Chinese: 束骨

Pinyin: Shù Gǔ

Location

On the lateral side of the foot dorsum, proximal to the head of the 5th metatarsal bone, at the border of the red and white skin. 

How to locate

Palpate along the bony structures on the lateral aspect of the foot, a prominent bony landmark can be felt approximately at the midpoint of the foot. This is the tuberosity of the 5th metatarsal bone.

Palpate from there towards the toes, a further bony structure can be felt, which is the head of the 5th metatarsal bone.

Locate Shugu BL-65 in a depression directly proximal to the head of the 5th metatarsal bone, at the border of the 'red and white' skin. 

 

Main actions

  1. Subdues Rebellious Qi from the head
  2. Clears Heat
  3. Expels Exterior Wind

Indications

Fever Red eyes Eye pain Headaches Dizziness Neck pain Occipital pain Aversion to cold Dull-yellow sclera Occipital headaches Occipital stiffness Inner canthus redness

Needling

Vertically 0.3–0.5 cun.

Commentary for Shugu BL-65

Shugu BL-65 has various functions. 

First of all, it removes obstructions from the Bladder Channel, especially if the pain is on the neck, back, thigh and lumber area. 

It subdues Rebellious Qi from the head, thus it treat symptoms such as headache, dizziness and occipital headache. 

It clears Heat from the Bladder Channel and it is especially effective in treating redness and pain in the eyes or the inner canthus. 

Finally, it expels Exterior Wind, particularly in the beginning stage of a Wind-Cold attack. This is at the Greater Yang Stage of the Six Stage Theory.