Kidney Channel

Bulang KID-22

Chinese: 步廊

Pinyin: Bù Láng

Location

In the 5th intercostal space, 2 cun lateral to the anterior midline. 

How to locate

First identify the 5th intercostal space by counting 5 spaces down from the clavicle. 

Bulang KID-22 is on this space and also 2 cun lateral to the anterior midline. 

Zhongting REN-16 is at the level of the 5th intercostal space but on the anterior midline. 

Main actions

  1. Subdues Rebellious Lung and Stomach Qi
  2. Opens the chest

Indications

Cough Asthma Dyspnoea Wheezing Vomiting Ribs pain Chest pain Breast lumps Blocked nose Poor appetite Chest fullness

Needling

0.5–0.8 cun obliquely or transversely with or against the channel pathway.

Caution: Avoid injuring the Liver on the right side, the Heart on the left side and the pleura.

Commentary for Bulang KID-22

For all the Kidney Channel points in the various intercostal spaces of the chest (from Bulang KID-22 to Shufu KID-27), they share similar actions of descending Rebellious Lung or Stomach Qi.

Therefore, they are indicated for symptoms such as wheezing, dyspnoea or coughing by harmonizing the Qi Excess in the upper part of the body and Qi Deficiency in the lower part. This Qi imbalance happens because the Kidney is not strong enough to receive Lung Qi. 

Bulang KID-22 is not a major point of the Channel. Apart from the above feature, it also opens the chest.