A Neurosegmental Perspective of the Classical Back Shu Points

Abstract

In traditional acupuncture, acupoints in the paraspinal musculature along the Bladder channel can be used to stimulate specific internal organs. These are the so-called Back Shu points (BSP) or Transporting points. Some of these insertion sites, based on millennia of clinical observations, are functionally accurate. This review of the neuroanatomical literature, discussing the spinal segmental innervation of the thoracic and abdominal organs, found significant discrepancies in the anatomic levels reported to produce reflex neural stimulation of any given organ. Based on these findings, clinically important corrections to the optimal spinal segmental levels to stimulate organ function are suggested. A broad range of clinical applications is afforded to the practitioner by the stimulation of the posterior branch of the spinal nerves with acupuncture needles and electricity. This article discusses the classical BSP from a contemporary neuroanatomical perspective and proposes a new model of clinical applications for them.

Anatomo‐Functional Correlation between Head Zones and Acupuncture Channels and Points: A Comparative Analysis from the Perspective of Neural Therapy

“…Anatomo-functional relationships found with other channels were not remarkable. Acupoints through channel of bladder in back exhibit functional-segmental relationship with the organs where it goes through, as documented by other studies (Figures 4(b) and 5 ) [ 21 , 22 , 26 ].…”

Role of dermatomes in the determination of therapeutic characteristics of channel acupoints: a similarity-based analysis of data compiled from literature

“…The partial role of dermatomes observed in this study considering all channel acupoints resolved the contradiction of studies regarding a subset of acupoints showing negligible, partial, or strong relationship between dermatomes and therapeutic characteristics of acupoints [7,18-23]. Discrepancies in the observed relationship between dermatomes and therapeutic characteristics of acupoints were due to the applied methods for investigation of the relationship and the coverage of channel acupoints, while most previous studies [18-23] investigated acupoints located in the trunk ( i.e.…”

“…Discrepancies in the observed relationship between dermatomes and therapeutic characteristics of acupoints were due to the applied methods for investigation of the relationship and the coverage of channel acupoints, while most previous studies [18-23] investigated acupoints located in the trunk ( i.e. shu, mu and Huatuo-Jiaji acupoints), where a major spatial relationship between the acupoint skin loci and the visceral efferent innervation was expected.…”

On Dermatomes, Meridians and Points: Results of a Quasiexperimental Study

“…In addition, our results can explain the inconsistency and non-specific behaviour of several distinctive points, such as the Back Shu points and the Front Mu points, regarding their respective Zhang-Fu. 37 Curiously, our data show that their indications are indistinguishable from those of other nearby points. These points and the Head's areas share the same behaviour based on the body's neurobiological structure, as suggested by Western researchers.…”