Bladder Meridian
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BL-8
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 5.5 cun superior to the anterior hairline. Or 0.5 cun posterior to Baihui Du-20 at the vertex.
Main Actions
- Pacifies Interior Wind and benefits the sense Organs
- Transforms Phlegm and clams the Mind
Indications
Commentary
Luoque BL-8 is not a major point of the Bladder Channel.
Its main action is to pacifies Interior Wind and calms the Mind.
Classical Sources
Jia Yi Jing (Systematic Classic of Acupuncture): Lists BL-8 among the points on the head portion of the Bladder channel, indicating its use for disorders of the sense organs and head.
Point Name Interpretation: The name 'Luoque' (络却) literally means 'Declining Connection' or 'Linking Return.' The character 'Luo' (络) means to connect or link, while 'Que' (却) means to decline or return. This refers to the point where the Bladder channel's collateral returns to link with the brain after traveling through the vertex, signifying the gathering of qi from the head into the channel.
Alternative Name 'Qiangyang' (强阳): This name meaning 'Strong Yang' indicates that despite receiving cooler qi from the head, this qi is still relatively warm compared to the Bladder channel's own qi, thus representing strong yang energy.
How to Locate
First identify Baihui DU-20 at the vertex, which is at the junction of the anterior midline and a line connecting the ear apices. Baihui DU-20 is 5 cun superior to the anterior hairline, while Luoque BL-8 is 0.5 cun posterior to DU-20 and 1.5 cun lateral to the midline.
Caution
Located on the scalp over the cranium. Use only shallow transverse insertion along the scalp - never perpendicular deep insertion. This point is classically listed as contraindicated for moxibustion. Being a minor point on the Bladder channel, it is less commonly used than other head points but can be valuable for sensory organ disorders and mental-emotional conditions.
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 numbness around the point. Due to the scalp location, sensation may be mild. Some patients may feel a spreading sensation across the vertex area.
Moxibustion
Contraindicated
Duration: N/A - Moxibustion contraindicated at this point
Cupping
Contraindicated
Bloodletting
N/A
Gua Sha
Questionable
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