Bladder Meridian
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BL-60
Fire-Huo
River-Jing Point
Ma Dan Yang Heavenly Star
Safety Warnings
- Contraindicated during pregnancy
Needle Depth
0.5–1.0 cun
Needle Angle
90° (Perpendicular)
Body Area
Ankle
Location
In the depression between the tip of the lateral malleolus and the Achilles tendon.
Main Actions
- Removes obstructions from the Channel and benefits the back
- Pacifies Interior Wind and subdues Rebellious Qi from the head
- Clears Heat
- Induces labor
Indications
Commentary
Kunlun BL-60 is an important point with various functions.
First of all, it is widely used as a distal point for treating back pain by removing obstructions from the Channel. Comparing with Weizhong BL-40, another major Bladder Channel point for the same indication, BL-60 is more for chronic back pain due to Deficiency rather than acute Excess reason. Other typical manifestations caused by Painful Obstructions syndromes are stiff and pain of the neck, occiput and shoulders as well as sciatica.
Secondly, BL-60 pacifies Interior Wind and subdues Rebellious Qi from the head, characterized by symptoms such as epilepsy, lockjaw, headache and dizziness.
Thirdly, the point is also widely used to clear Internal Heat from the Bladder Channel. As a result, it eases symptoms such as feeling of heat in the head, nose bleeding as well as red, pain and swelling of the eyes.
Finally, it is used as a empirical point to induce labor and release placenta by invigorating the Blood. Therefore, it is contracted to be needled during pregnancy.
Classical Sources
Líng Shū (灵枢 - Spiritual Pivot): First records the point name "Kunlun" (昆仑) in the chapter on the Five Shu Points (本输), establishing it as the Jing-River point of the Bladder channel.
Zhēn Jiǔ Jiǎ Yǐ Jīng (针灸甲乙经 - A-B Classic of Acupuncture, 282 CE): "For malaria with profuse sweating, lumbar pain with inability to bend forward or backward, eyes as if falling out, and neck as if being pulled—Kunlun governs these."
Zhēn Jiǔ Dà Chéng (针灸大成 - Great Compendium of Acupuncture, 1601): "If a pregnant woman is needled [at Kunlun], she will miscarry" (妊妇刺之落胎). Also lists: "Governs lumbar and coccygeal pain, foot qi, swollen leg unable to touch the ground, nosebleed, knee as if bound, ankle as if splitting, headache, shoulder and back tension, wheezing fullness."
Cì Jiǔ Xīn Fǎ Yào Jué (刺灸心法要诀 - Essential Teachings on Needling and Moxibustion): "For muscle knotting and coccyx pain, difficulty breathing with fullness rushing to the heart, unable to walk when stepping, moaning upon movement—if you want relief, you must needle this point."
How to Locate
Locate the tip of the lateral malleolus and palpate horizontally towards the Achilles tendon. Locate Kunlun BL-60 in a depression anterior to the tendon.
Caution
PREGNANCY: This point is contraindicated during pregnancy as it can induce labor or cause miscarriage. The Zhēn Jiǔ Dà Chéng explicitly states: "If a pregnant woman is needled, she will miscarry." Only use at full term specifically to promote labor. Use with extreme caution or avoid during menstruation due to its strong moving and descending action. The small saphenous vein runs nearby; avoid excessive depth or forceful manipulation to prevent hematoma.
Needle Angle
90° (Perpendicular)
Depth Category
Medium
Standard Depth
0.5–1.0 cun
Needling Directions
Vertically 0.5–1 cun. Caution: Reducing Needling techniques is contraindicated during pregnancy, except for inducing labor.
Expected Deqi Sensation
Deqi typically manifests as local distension and soreness at the ankle. The sensation often radiates up the lower leg toward the knee, or down to the heel. Some patients feel a drawing sensation along the posterior leg following the Bladder channel pathway. When needled toward KI-3, patients may experience a deeper, spreading warmth through the ankle.
Moxibustion
Recommended
Duration: 5–10 minutes
Cupping
Questionable
Bloodletting
Recommended
Gua Sha
Questionable
Five Element & Transporting Classification
Five Phase
Fire-Huo
Transporting Type
River-Jing Point
Mother-Child Role
Child (Reducing)
Special Point Classifications
Ma Dan Yang Heavenly Star
Command Point
Commands region:
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