UB-31 Shangliao - Upper Sacral Bone

English:	Upper Crevice
Also Known As:

Location

• Over the first posterior sacral foramen.
• On the sacrum, at the midpoint between the posterosuperior iliac spine and the posterior midline, just at the first posterior sacral foramen.

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
• Regulates the Lower Jiao
• 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 Impotence 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

UB-32 Ciliao UB-33 Zhongliao UB-34 Xialiao	LU-6 Kongzui	UB-32 Ciliao UB-33 Zhongliao UB-34 Xialiao SP-6 Sanyinjiao REN-4 joined to REN-3 Guanyuan joined to Zhongji
Moxa bilaterally for difficult urination and defecation	Febrile disease	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	UB-32 Ciliao UB-33 Zhongliao UB-34 Xialiao DU-1 Changqiang UB-57 Chengshan	UB-32 Ciliao LI-4 Hegu SP-6 Sanyinjiao
Dysfunctional uterine bleeding	Anal fissures	Inducing labor

Contraindications

Notes

• UB-31, Shangliao, UB-32 Ciliao, UB-33 Zhongliao and UB-34 Xialiaoare considered a group of points known as the Eight Crevices (Eight Seams) Baliao. They share the characteristics of regulating the urinary system, (UB-32 Ciliao and to a lesser extent UB-33 Zhongliao are the strongest), the Intestines (UB-34 Xialiao has the widest effect), gynecological disorders (UB-34 Xialiao has the strongest effect) and moving Qi and Blood in the channels and collaterals of the local area and the lower limbs (UB-32 Ciliao and UB-33 Zhongliao are the strongest).
• All four of these points tonify the Kidneys.
• They are specific for genital disorders.
• They tonify the whole body.
• These points can induce labor.