Channel Theory and Point Locations II

 Urinary Bladder Channel

The following images highlight point groupings and information for the Urinary Bladder Channel. All images are copywrite Brian Lau, AP, C.SMA

•       Actions and Indications for this grouping include:

•       Expels wind and clears heat, cleats the head and alleviates pain. This would include headache and dizziness

•       Benefits the Eyes

•       Treats nasal congestion, rhinitis and sneezing as there are sinuses in this region.

•       UB 1 is an primary local point for eye disease.

•       UB 2 has some eye indications, but also pain and headache in the eye region. It also treats rhinitis, hemorrhoids, stiffness of neck, and facial paralysis (Bell’s Palsy).

•       UB 3 has similar indications to UB 2.

•       Points in this category have actions and indications which include expelling wind, clearing heat, clearing the head, and benefiting the nose (and occasionally the eyes and other sense organs). This generally includes indications for headaches and sinus issues.

•       In Deadman’s A Manual of Acupuncture, UB 7, 9 and 10 have commentary whereas the other points do not.

•       UB 7 - Benefits and regulates the nose, clears the head

•       UB 9 – Expels wind and cold, and alleviates pain, benefits the nose and eyes

•      UB 10 – Regulates qi and pacifies wind, benefits the head and sensory orifices, calms the spirit, activates the channel and alleviates pain. (Note: UB 10 is a Window of Heaven Point). It has indications for headaches (particularly occipital), neck and upper back pain and stiffness, shoulder pain. It has indications for the eyes and nose and for febrile disease. It also has an effect on the lower portions of the channel.

•       This grouping includes the back-shu points which have major indications for zangfu disharmony. These points are at MEP (motor entry points) of the longissimus muscle which is innervated by a branch of the dorsal rami. It would treat sensitization of the vertebral level that also has innervation to the organs.

•       Actions and indications will primarily relate to the organ functions, but will also include sense organs and it will include pain and problems associated with the innervated segment. This will involve not only back musculature but also muscles of the front of the body at those same levels.

•       UB 11: Hui-meeting point of bone

•       UB 12: Meeting point of Bladder channel with Du

•       UB 13: Back-shu of the Lungs

•       UB 14: Back-shu of Pericardium

•       UB 15: Back-shu of Heart

•       UB 17: Diaphragm shu, Hui-meeting point of Blood

•       UB 18: Back-shu of Liver

•       UB 19: Back-shu of Gallbladder

•       UB 20: Back-shu of Spleen

•       UB 21: Back-shu of Stomach

•       UB 22: Back-shu of Sanjiao

•       UB 23: Back-shu of Kidney

•       UB 25: Back-shu of Large Intestine

•       UB 27: Back-shu of Small Intestine

•       UB 28: Back-shu of the Bladder

•       This grouping includes the baliao points which are over the sacral foramina. It also contains UB 35 which is level with the tip of the coccyx.

•       The baliao points stimulate cutaneous branches of sacral nerves. Other branches of the sacral nerves innervate the bladder, bowel and reproductive organs. Other branches innervate the posterior pelvis and lower extremities. The main indications of these points reflect this neural anatomy. Actions of these points are:

•       Regulates the lower jiao and facilitates urination and defecation

•       Regulates menstruation and stops leukorrhea

•       Benefits the lumbar region and legs.

•       UB 35 is a local point for coccyx pain and hemorrhoids, and it also clears damp-heat in the lower jiao.

•       Points in this grouping follow the course of the sciatic nerve and also the tibial and fibular branches as they split from the sciatic nerve. Many of the action and indications relate to sciatica and lumbar pain, but also includes some internal problems affecting the bowel and bladder function due to the related neural anatomy.

•       UB 39 is the lower He-Sea points of the San Jiao channel and its actions reflect this.

•       UB 40 is the He-Sea point of the Bladder channel. It is a frequently used point and should have special consideration when learning its actions and indications.

This group contains the outer back-shu points. These have names that indicate they have an effect on psycho-emotional disorders. However, their actions and indications reflect that they are similar to the inner line and also they have many indications for pain as they address key muscle regions related to  scapular, thoracic, lumbar, sacroiliac and gluteal pain.

This group contains the outer back-shu points. These have names that indicate they have an effect on psycho-emotional disorders. However, their actions and indications reflect that they are similar to the inner line and also they have many indications for pain as they address key muscle regions related to  scapular, thoracic, lumbar, sacroiliac and gluteal pain.

This grouping of points still follow the medial sural nerve. They also reach the soleus muscle (a muscle of the Kidney sinew channel), especially UB 58 which is the luo-connecting point. UB 61 is on the calcaneus and is in the proximal attachment of the abductor digiti minimi muscle on the lateral foot. 

Indications are similar to the previous group and include: 1) sciatica and lumbar pain, 2) pelvis issue; UB 58 treats hemorrhoids, UB 60 induces labor and treats coccyx pain, 3) headaches, neck stiffness and pain and problems with the upper portions of the channel.

Points in this group have similar indications as the last two, but start to have more effect on the upper portions of the channel (head and neck). There are also lumbar pain indications and some local indications, specifically for the lateral malleolus. UB 67 has indications for malposition of a fetus.

UB 62 is the confluent point of the Yang Qiao. Indications reflect this pathway. It is often paired with SI 3 (confluent point of Du Mai). 

UB 67 has indications for malposition of a fetus.