Bladder Meridian
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BL-64
Yuan-Source Point
Needle Depth
0.3–0.5 cun
Needle Angle
90° (Perpendicular)
Body Area
Foot — Dorsum
Location
On the lateral side of the foot dorsum, below the tuberosity of the 5th metatarsal bone, at the border of the red and white skin.
Main Actions
- Subdues Rebellious Qi
- Pacifies Interior Wind
- Calms the Mind
Indications
Commentary
Despite that Jinggu BL-64 is the Source-Yuan point of the Bladder Channel, it doesn't really tonify any specific Organs. This attribute is in line with other Source-Yuan point of Yang Channels.
BL-64 is mostly used to subdues Rebellious Qi from the Head, characterized by headaches, dizziness as well as redness of the inner eye canthus. These symptoms can also be the result of Liver Wind Rising caused by Kidney Deficiency.
Furthermore, BL-64 calms the Mind as well, with additional symptoms such as palpitations, insomnia, manic depression and fright.
Classical Sources
Ling Shu (灵枢·本输): First recorded the point Jinggu as belonging to the Foot Taiyang Bladder meridian and designated it as the Yuan-Source point.
Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing (针灸甲乙经): "For cold and heat with sighing, heavy head and cold feet, not wishing to eat, and cramping of the legs, Jinggu governs. For habitually biting the cheeks, hemiplegia, pain in the lumbar region and hip joint, and tendency to shake the head, Jinggu governs. For epilepsy, mania, erratic walking, and shivering with cold, Jinggu governs."
Bei Ji Qian Jin Yao Fang (备急千金要方): "Governs aversion to cold in the back with pain, stiffness of the spine making bending and stretching difficult."
Zhenjiu Dacheng (针灸大成): "Governs headache as if splitting, lumbar pain preventing bending and stretching, pain in the posterior and lateral aspects of the body, redness and ulceration of the inner canthus, white nebula arising from the inner canthus, eyes turning white, dizziness, malaria with cold and heat, tendency to be easily startled, not wishing to eat, tendon cramping, pain in the leg and hip joint, stiff neck, inability to bend forward or backward, incessant nasal bleeding, and heart pain."
How to Locate
Palpating along the lateral aspect of the foot on the level of the border of the ‘red and white’ skin, a bony structure can be felt approximately at the midpoint of the foot. This is the tuberosity of the 5th metatarsal bone. Jinggu BL-64 is located directly distal to it towards the toes.
Caution
The point is located at the junction of red and white skin (the border between plantar and dorsal skin), which can be sensitive. Use care in patients with peripheral neuropathy or poor circulation in the feet. The area over the 5th metatarsal tuberosity has relatively thin soft tissue coverage over bone, so gentle insertion is recommended to avoid periosteal contact which can cause sharp pain.
Needle Angle
90° (Perpendicular)
Depth Category
Shallow
Standard Depth
0.3–0.5 cun
Needling Directions
Vertically 0.3–0.5 cun
Expected Deqi Sensation
Local distension and soreness at the lateral aspect of the foot, which may radiate along the lateral border of the foot. Some patients may feel the sensation travel proximally along the Bladder channel toward the ankle.
Moxibustion
Recommended
Duration: 5–10 minutes
Cupping
Questionable
Bloodletting
Questionable
Gua Sha
Questionable
Special Point Classifications
Yuan-Source Point
Related Resources
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