Acupuncture
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EX-B-3
Safety Warnings
- Dangerous point - requires extra caution
- Deep needling contraindicated - shallow insertion only
Needle Depth
0.3–0.5 cun
Needle Angle
45° (Oblique)
Body Area
Back — Upper (Thoracic)
Location
1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the 8th thoracic vertebra (T8).
Main Actions
- Opens the Channel
- Clear Heat and generates Fluids
Indications
Commentary
Weiwanxiashu EX-B-3 has another name 'Yishu' which is translated to 'Pancreas Transporting'.
It is mainly used to treat diabetes mellitus and accompanying symptoms such as dry throat.
Classical Sources
《备急千金要方》(Beiji Qianjin Yaofang - Essential Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold): "消渴，咽喉干灸胃管下俞三穴各百壮" — For diabetes (Xiao Ke) with dry throat, apply 100 moxa cones to each of the three Weiwanxiashu points.
《灸经图》(Dunhuang Moxibustion Chart): "主胸支满，食饮逆，呕吐，心腹满，虚胀，不能食饮，灸一百壮，善" — Treats chest fullness, food and drink reversal, vomiting, abdominal fullness, deficiency distention, and inability to eat or drink; moxibustion with 100 cones is beneficial.
《龙衔素针经》(Longxian Suzhen Jing): First recorded the name of this point, locating it at the 8th thoracic vertebra.
How to Locate
First locate the spinous process of the 7th cervical vertebra (C7), which is still palpable when the neck is being flexed and extended, while the 6th cervical vertebra (C6) starts to slide anteriorly and gradually disappears. The spinous process of the 8th thoracic vertebra (T8) is 8 spinous process below C7. Or first locate the spinous process of T7, which lower end is level with the inferior angle of the scapula, when the patient is seated with their arms hanging down. T8 is 1 thoracic vertebra below. Locate Weiwanxiashu EX-B-3 1.5 cun lateral to lower border of the spinous process of the 8th thoracic vertebra (T8). Use scapula medial border line as a reference as it is 3 cun lateral to the posterior midline.
Caution
This point overlies the thoracic cavity. Deep or improper needling risks puncturing the pleura and causing pneumothorax, or injuring the lung. Always use oblique insertion directed toward the spine rather than perpendicular deep insertion. If needle sensation does not arrive, wait for Qi rather than advancing the needle deeper. Maximum perpendicular depth should not exceed 0.5 cun. This point is located in the T8 dermatome, which corresponds to pancreatic innervation—this anatomical relationship explains its empirical effectiveness for diabetes.
Needle Angle
45° (Oblique)
Depth Category
Shallow
Standard Depth
0.3–0.5 cun
Needling Directions
0.5–1 cun vertically or up to 1.5 cun obliquely in a medial direction. Caution: Pneumothorax. Do not needle in a lateral direction.
Expected Deqi Sensation
Local aching and distention sensation. With oblique insertion toward the spine, the sensation may radiate to the anterior chest. If needling sensation is not immediately felt, pause and wait for Qi to arrive rather than inserting deeper.
Moxibustion
Particularly Recommended
Duration: 10–15 minutes; traditionally up to 100 cones for chronic conditions
Cupping
Recommended
Bloodletting
N/A
Gua Sha
Recommended
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