Bladder Meridian
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BL-6
Safety Warnings
- Deep needling contraindicated - shallow insertion only
- Moxibustion contraindicated
Needle Depth
0.3–0.5 cun
Needle Angle
10-15° (Transverse)
Body Area
Head — Vertex
Location
1.5 cun lateral to the anterior midline and 2.5 cun within the anterior hairline. On the other hand, this point is at the medial third and lateral two-thirds of the distance from anterior midline to the line vertically from Touwei ST-8. Chengguang BL-6 is also 1.5 cun posterior to Wuchu BL-5.
Main Actions
- Expels Wind-Heat
- Clears Head and benefits the eyes and nose
Indications
Commentary
Chengguang BL-6 is not a major point of the Bladder Channel.
Its main function is to expels Wind-Heat, so as to clear the head as well as benefits the eyes and nose.
Classical Sources
Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing (针灸甲乙经 - Systematic Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion): This is the earliest text to formally record the point Chengguang. It documents the point's location on the head and its classical contraindication to moxibustion.
Name Interpretation: Cheng (承) means "to receive" or "to support"; Guang (光) means "light" or "brightness." The name reflects the point's location at the vertex where brightness is easily perceived, and its function of improving vision and mental clarity.
How to Locate
First locate the midpoint of the anterior hairline and Baihui DU-20 on the vertex. The distance between these two point is 5 cun. Chengguang BL-6 is in the midpoint of these two reference points and also 1.5 cun lateral to the anterior midline.
Caution
Classical texts including Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing, Zhenjiu Dacheng, and Zhenjiu Jicheng list Chengguang BL-6 as contraindicated for moxibustion. Only transverse (subcutaneous) needling should be used due to the scalp location. Avoid perpendicular deep insertion.
Needle Angle
10-15° (Transverse)
Depth Category
Shallow
Standard Depth
0.3–0.5 cun
Needling Directions
Transversely 0.5–1 cun.
Expected Deqi Sensation
Local distension and soreness spreading across the scalp. The sensation may radiate anteriorly or posteriorly along the Bladder channel pathway on the head.
Moxibustion
Contraindicated
Duration: N/A
Cupping
Contraindicated
Bloodletting
N/A
Gua Sha
Questionable
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