ACUPUNCTURE
Ci Liao: TCM Acupoint Guide
Name
Ci Liao (Ciliao)
Location
On the sacrum, medial and inferior to the posterosuperior iliac spine, just at the second posterior sacral foramen.
Needling
- Straight insertion 1 to 2 cun. Sensation: distention and soreness in the sacral region, sometimes extending to the legs. Note: when locating the foramen, the fingers can be used to find the hole into which the needle is inserted. If the foramen cannot be found, withdraw the needle slightly and try a different angle.
- Puncture perpendicularly 0.8 to 1.2 cun.
- Moxibustion is applicable.
- Perpendicular insertion 0.5 to 1 cun.
- 1.5 to 2 cun through the foramen. Needling the foramen is facilitated by a slightly oblique medial and inferior insertion.
Command Functions
- Meeting point of the Gall Bladder channel
Actions
- Regulates the Lower Jiao
- Facilitates urination and defecation
- Regulates menstruation
- Nourishes the Kidneys
- Stops leukorrhea
- Benefits the lumbar region and legs
- Invigorates Kidney Qi
- Removes Blood Stasis in the uterus
Indications
- Difficult urination
- Difficult urination due to infection
- Dysuria
- Difficult defecation
- Vomiting
- Epistaxis
- Malarial chills and fever
- Lumbar pain
- Cold and pain of the back and knees
- Impotence
- Orchitis
- Prostatitis
- Knee pain and weakness
- Spermatorrhea
- Urinary retention
- Lower back and foot numbness
- Lower extremity paralysis
- Pain and stiffness of the lower back
- Sciatica
- Difficult labor
- Delayed labor
- Diseases of the lumbosacral joint
- Anal prolapse
- Wei and Bi syndromes of the lower extremities
- Enuresis
- Painful urinary dysfunction
- Borborygmus
- Hardness and distention below the Heart
- Red and white vaginal discharge
- Lumbar pain
- Sacral pain
- Cold sensations of the lumbar region
- Hemiplegia
- Irregular menstruation
- Dysmenorrhea
- Infertility
- Leukorrhea
- Incessant white leukorrhea
- Red and white leukorrhea
- Seminal emission
- Itching and pain of the genitals
- Skin irritation in the genital area
- Uterine prolapse
- Ovarian pain and inflammation
- Uterovaginal inflammation
- Peritonitis
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Anal fissures
- Hemorrhoids
- Vaginal prolapse
- Morbid leukorrhea
- Sequelae of infantile paralysis
- Induces labor
- Shan disorder
- Hernia
- Nocturnal emissions
- Muscular atrophy, pain, numbness and motor impairment of the lower extremities
- Dark urine
- Watery diarrhea
- Pain of childbirth
- Numbness of the lumbar region extending down to the foot
- Lumbar pain radiating to the genitals
Combinations
| Points | Indications |
|---|---|
| UB-31 Shangliao, UB-33 Zhongliao, UB-34 Xialiao, SP-6 Sanyinjiao, REN-4 joined to REN-3 Guanyuan joined to REN-5 Shimen | Dysmenorrhea |
| UB-31 Shangliao, UB-33 Zhongliao, UB-34 Xialiao, ST-36 Zusanli, SP-6 Sanyinjiao, SP-10 Xuehai, M-CA-18 Zigong, REN-6 Qihai, REN-4 Guanyuan | Dysfunctional uterine bleeding |
| UB-31 Shangliao, UB-33 Zhongliao, UB-34 Xialiao, DU-1 Changqiang, UB-57 Chengshan | Anal fissures |
| LI-4 Hegu, SP-6 Sanyinjiao | Inducing labor |
| UB-31 Shangliao, UB-33 Zhongliao, UB-34 Xialiao | Difficult urination and defecation (100 cones of moxa) |
| KI-1 Yongquan, SP-5 Shangqiu | Infertility |
| UB-53 Baohuang, UB-56 Chengjin | Lumbar pain and aversion to Cold |
| LIV-13 Zhangmen | Rigidity of the lumbar spine with inability to turn |
| UB-36 Chengfu, UB-54 Zhibian, UB-40 Weizhong, UB-60 Kunlun | Sciatica |
Notes
UB-31 Shangliao, UB-32 Ciliao, UB-33 Zhongliao and UB-34 Xialiao are considered a group of points known as the Eight Crevices (Eight Seams) Baliao. They share the characteristics of regulating the urinary system, the intestines, gynecological disorders and moving Qi and Blood in the channels and collaterals of the local area and the lower limbs. All of these points tonify the Kidneys, are specific for genital disorders, tonify the whole body and can induce labor. UB-32 Ciliao is the most important of the four points and the one that is the most tonifying of the Kidneys and Jing. It is important for the treatment of infertility in women.
Sources and further reading
We cite classical materia medica and modern reference works. This article is health education, not medical advice.
- Shennong Bencao Jing (The Divine Farmer's Materia Medica), Han dynasty.
- Bencao Gangmu (Compendium of Materia Medica), Li Shizhen, 1578.
- Chinese Pharmacopoeia, current edition — identity, quality and safety monographs.
- NCCIH and WHO reference material on traditional medicine safety.
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