UB-17 Geshu - Diaphragm Correspondence
More Spirit Names: Diaphragm Shu, Diaphragm Hollow
| English: | Diaphragm Shu |
| Also Known As: | Diaphragm's Hollow |
Location
- 1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the seventh thoracic vertebra, level with DU-9 Zhiyang.
- Locate at the visible highest point of the paraspinal muscles.
- Oblique insertion towards the spine, 0.5 to 1 cun.
- Transverse insertion 1 to 1.5 cun.
- Caution: perpendicular needling or oblique needling away from the spine carries a substantial risk of pneumothorax.
Needling
- Straight insertion, slanted slightly toward the spine, 1 to 1.5 cun
Sensation: local soreness and distention, sometimes extending between the ribs - Caution: Do not needle to deeply in order to avoid puncturing the Lung
- Transverse insertion, pointed downward along the muscle1 to 2 cun
Sensation: local distention and soreness
Locate at the highest visible point of the paraspinal muscles. - Puncture obliquely 0.5 to 0.7 cun.
- Moxibustion is applicable.
Command Functions
- Hui-Meeting point of Blood
- Back-Shu point of the diaphragm
Actions
- Regulates the Blood
- Transforms Congealed Blood
- Expands the chest and diaphragm
- Strengthens Deficient conditions
- Invigorates the Blood
- Dispels Blood Stasis
- Cools Blood Heat
- Stops bleeding
- Nourishes and harmonizes the Blood
- Harmonizes the diaphragm
- Removes obstructions from the diaphragm
- Descends Rebellious Qi
- Pacifies Stomach Qi
- Tonifies Qi and Blood
- Calms the Shen
Indications
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Combinations
| LU-8 | ||
Diaphragmatic spasm | Anemia | Swollen and painful throat (throat Bi) |
GB-8 | ||
Moxa for the hundred syndromes of Deficiency-taxation | Moxa for vomiting | Cold Phlegm in the diaphragm and Stomach |
UB-18 | ||
Contraction and Cold of the shoulder and back with pain of the inner aspect of the scapula | Bone pain | Nourishes Liver Blood Removes Liver Blood Stasis |
UB-15 | UB-20 | UB-19 |
Nourishes Heart Blood Removes Heart Blood Stasis | Nourishes the Spleen's function of manufacturing Blood | Moxa to tonify Qi and Blood (The Four Flowers) |
Moxa to tonify Qi and Blood (The Magnificent Six) |
Contraindications
Notes
- This is an important point with many functions.
- This is an important point for many kinds of bleeding disorders.
- It has an important action on the diaphragm.
- As the Diaphragm Shu, it is the basic point for hiccup.
Five Elements Spirit Perspective
| Spirit of the Point | Diaphragm Correspondence corresponds to the diaphragm and is the Gathering point of the Blood. When the Blood is weak, the spirit has no comfortable place to rest, and a person feels insecure, restless and not fully in their body or in life. If a person has trouble breathing, it brings the breath down into the body. |
|---|---|
| Worsley | Opens a direct, immediate and free channel to our capacity to breathe in and out, taking in and letting go not only of air but of ideas, opinions, suggestions, feelings, inspiration and sensations. A dynamic exchange arises within us that revitalizes us and fuels the feeling of being acutely alive.
Location: On the back, 2 ACI from the midline, level with the dip between the T7 and T8 spinous processes. |
| When to Consider |
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| Notes |
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From Class
- SP-10 Xuehai / BL-17 / BL-11: Blood stagnation: massaged SP-10 (sea of blood); options BL-17 (also opens diaphragm), BL-11, stomach transporting points. (Yuen)
- SP-21 Dabao / SP-10 / BL-17: SP-21 great luo of spleen moves blood, opens chest; SP-10 and BL-17 'all things blood' front and back. (Shea)
- Blood points: ST-36/9/30 regulate; SP-10/BL-17 invigorate; BL-11, ST-37, ST-39 move; PC-4 dissipate: Ling Shu ch.33 sea of blood points only move blood; tight/wiry pulse = move qi to move blood; choppy pulse = invigorate. (Yuen)
- Clearing fire toxins: BL-11, SP-10, BL-17, KI-9, PC-3, LI-11: Clear fire toxins with BL-11, SP-10, BL-17; KI-9 prevents maternal toxin transmission; PC-3 clears all three levels; LI-11, SP-10 for autoimmune reactivity. (Lewis)
- TCM alternative: BL-17, LU-10, LU-1, ST-38, LU-7: Diaphragmatic constriction with lung heat: BL-17, LU-10 clears lung heat, LU-1 disperses, ST-38 for shoulder; bleed then moxa LU-7. (Yuen)
- Upper girdle stasis: LI-15, LI-16 (bleed) + BL-17: Bleed LI-15/16 distally; BL-17 needled obliquely away from GV toward the shoulder. (Gioioso)
- Retained placenta & postpartum bleeding: Expel the placenta first; for postpartum bleeding use SP-10, BL-17, E Jiao, Pu Huang; large doses of Mai Ya inhibit lactation. (Lewis)