Who would have thought treating an acupuncture point on the back of the knee could help with so many conditions? Bladder 40 (BL 40) can treat knee pain, simply based on it’s location, but it does a whole lot more than that!
The Bladder channel is the longest acupuncture pathway on the body and it covers a LOT of territory. It is also a specialized point known as the He Sean point, which clears heat from the channel. Points that clear heat from the channel are really good for pain related conditions. Bladder 40 will help with a headache, a toothache, a sore throat, back pain, sciatic pain, hip pain, knee pain, and foot pain. And if you happen to have a bladder infection, Bladder 40 will help with that too!
Location: Midpoint of the transverse crease of the popliteal fossa, between the tendons of biceps femoris and semitendinosis.
Attributes: He-Sea, and Command point of the back, Earth point, Ma Dan-yang Heavenly Star point.
TCM Actions: Clears the blood and discharges heat; soothes the sinews and frees the connecting vessels; dispels wind-damp; disinhibits the lumbus and knees.
Indications: Lumbar pain; inhibited movement of the hip joint; hypertonicity of the popliteal sinews; loss of locomotive ability of the lower limbs; hemiplegia; abdominal pain; vomiting and diarrhea.
Secondary Indications: Absence of sweating in heat disease; persistent nosebleed; vacuity and night sweating; wind-damp loss of locomotive ability; cholera with gripping cardioabdominal pain; clove sores; aching among the lower teeth; throat disorders.
Needle Information: Perpendicular insertion .5 – 1.0 cun, or prick the popliteal vein with the three-edged needle to cause bleeding. No Moxibustion
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Adrian P. Larsen, D.C., F.A.S.A., C.Ac.
Dr. Larsen is President of Miridia Technology Inc., and one of the developers of the AcuGraph Digital Meridian Imaging system. He currently divides his time between research, product development, and teaching.
Dr. Larsen also holds certifications in Applied Kinesiology and CPK, and has specialized training in SOT and craniopathy.
He, his wife, and 7 children reside in Meridian, Idaho.
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