ACUPUNCTURE
Da Chang Shu: TCM Acupoint Guide
DACHANGSHU
Name
Da Chang Shu (Dachangshu)
Location
1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the fourth lumbar vertebra, 1.5 cun lateral to DU-3 Yaoyangguan. Locate at the visible highest point of the paraspinal muscles.
Needling
- Straight insertion for most indications 1 to 2 cun. Sensation: distention and soreness in the lower back.
- Slanted insertion slightly away from the spine, 2 to 3 cun, for sciatica. Sensation: electric, numb sensation possibly extending to the leg.
- Transverse insertion, joined to UB-27 Xiaochangshu, for arthritis of the sacroiliac joint. Sensation: distention and soreness, possibly reaching the sacroiliac joint.
- Puncture perpendicularly 0.8 to 1.2 cun.
- Moxibustion is applicable.
Command Functions
- Back-Shu point for the Large Intestine
Actions
- Regulates and moistens the Intestines
- Regulates the Intestines and Stomach
- Transforms Stagnation
- Alleviates pain
- Resolves Damp-Heat (especially of the Large Intestine)
- Warms Cold
- Dries Dampness (especially of the Large Intestine)
- Strengthens the lower back, legs and knees
- Removes obstructions from the channel
- Relieves fullness and swelling
Indications
- Dysenteric disorders
- Childhood nutritional impairment
- All Intestinal disorders
- Acute Intestinal obstruction
- Enteritis
- Appendicitis
- Borborygmus
- Flatulence
- Abdominal pain and distention
- Hemorrhoids
- Lower back sprain
- Pain in the sacroiliac joint
- Muscular atrophy
- Undigested food in the stools
- Intestinal abscess
- Twisting pain of the lower abdomen
- Inability to eat and drink
- Rigidity of the lumbar spine
- Dysmenorrhea
- Abdominal masses
- Stabbing pain around the umbilicus
- Difficult defecation
- Painful defecation
- Difficult urination
- Painful urination
- Constipation
- Cold or Damp diarrhea
- Rectal prolapse
- Lower back pain and stiffness
- Sciatica
- Cutting pain around the navel
- Pain, numbness and motor impairment of the lower extremities
- Hypogastric pain
- Distention and fullness of the hypogastrium
- Remains thin despite much eating
- Painful obstruction of the lower limbs
Combinations
| Points | Indications |
|---|---|
| UB-20 Pishu | Constipation and diarrhea |
| UB-30 Baihuanshu, DU-4 Mingmen, ST-38 joined to UB-57 Chengshan, GB-34 joined to SP-9 joined to Yinlingquan | Progressive muscular dystrophy |
| UB-32 Ciliao | Urinary and bowel incontinence |
| UB-23 Shenshu | Cold or Damp diarrhea |
| ST-21 Liangmen, ST-36 Zusanli, SP-6 Sanyinjiao, REN-10 Xiawan, UB-22 Sanjiaoshu, DU-5 Xuanshu | Undigested food in the stools and fecal incontinence |
| REN-4 Guanyuan | Fecal incontinence |
| SP-3 Taibai, SP-4 Gongsun, UB-22 Sanjiaoshu | Borborygmus |
| DU-20 Baihui, DU-1 Changqiang, GB-21 Jianjing, LI-4 Hegu, ST-30 Qichong | Rectal prolapse |
| DU-20 Baihui, DU-1 Changqiang | Rectal prolapse in children |
| ST-43 Xiangu, SP-3 Taibai | Pain of Intestinal abscess |
| SP-20 Zhourong | Difficult ingestion with desire to drink fluids |
Notes
This is an important point to regulate the functions of the Large Intestine and its applications are broad.
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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