ACUPUNCTURE
Shang Liao: TCM Acupoint Guide
Name
Shang Liao (Shangliao)
Location
Over the first posterior sacral foramen, on the sacrum, at the midpoint between the posterosuperior iliac spine and the posterior midline.
Needling
- 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.
- Puncture perpendicularly 0.8 to 1.2 cun.
- Moxibustion is applicable.
- 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.
Command Functions
- Meeting point with the Gall Bladder channel
Actions
- Regulates the Lower Jiao
- Benefits the lumbar region and legs
- Nourishes the Kidneys
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
- 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
Combinations
| Points | Indications |
|---|---|
| UB-32 Ciliao, UB-33 Zhongliao, UB-34 Xialiao | Moxa bilaterally for difficult urination and defecation |
| LU-6 Kongzui | Febrile disease |
| UB-32 Ciliao, UB-33 Zhongliao, UB-34 Xialiao, SP-6 Sanyinjiao, REN-4 joined to REN-3 Guanyuan joined to REN-5 Shimen | Dysmenorrhea |
| UB-32 Ciliao, 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-32 Ciliao, UB-33 Zhongliao, UB-34 Xialiao, DU-1 Changqiang, UB-57 Chengshan | Anal fissures |
| UB-32 Ciliao, LI-4 Hegu, SP-6 Sanyinjiao | Inducing labor |
Contraindications
Some classical texts forbid moxibustion at this point.
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.
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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