Acupuncture Points of Sacral Plexus

Abstract

This is the sixth and final communication in a series describing acupuncture points by anatomic nomenclature. Most acupuncture points on the lateral and posterior surfaces of the lower limb are located along routes of the sacral plexus. These points belong to acupuncture meridians carrying "Yang energy" in the lower limbs. The meridians are traditionally known as the Urinary Bladder on the posterior surface of the lower limb, Gall Bladder on the lateral surface of the lower limb, and Stomach on the anterior surface of the leg and dorsum of the foot.

Real-time ultrasound-guided sacral plexus block combined with mild sedation for hemorrhoidectomy and hemorrhoidal artery ligation in a patient with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a case report

“…The sacral plexus is considered to be formed anatomically by the lumbosacral trunk and the ventral rami of the first three sacral spinal nerves and descending portion of the fourth sacral spinal nerve, which innervates the skin and muscles of the gluteal region, posterior compartment of the thigh, popliteal fossa, posterior and lateral compartments of the leg, and dorsum of the foot [ 13 ]. Ultrasound-guided regional nerve block greatly increases the accuracy of local anesthetic administration around the nerve, and the advantages of ultrasound guidance include visualization of anatomic structures, reduction of local anesthetic requirements, improvement in anesthetic block quality, and prevention of fatalities [ 14 ].…”

Acupuncture treatment of acute urinary retention caused by varicella-zoster virus through by combining the mechanism of sacral neuromodulation: A rare case report

“…Depending on the anatomical location of the nervous system, EA located at sacral acupoints (BL32, BL33) can stimulate sacral nerve roots, subrectal nerves and pubic nerves. [ 33 , 34 ] The application of modern medicine to localize the S3 neural foramen to locate the BL33 has good feasibility, [ 35 ] and the S3 nerve root is the nerve pathway with the most significant stimulation of the bladder’s forced urinary muscle, and needling at BL33 not only activates the excitatory fibers of the parasympathetic nerves but also facilitates the micturition reflex by stimulating the S3 nerve to inhibit the urethral sphincter, and thus may contribute to the emptying of the bladder. [ 36 ] Stimulation of the parasympathetic nerve centers in the sacral region S2 to S4 by electroacupuncture at these 2 acupoints has a mechanism similar to sacral neuromodulation [ 37 ] ; in terms of the intensity of sacral innervation of the detrusor muscle by the sacral nerves, S3 is the strongest, S4 is the second strongest, and S2 is weaker, and moreover, in the treatment of elevating intravesical pressure in patients with urinary retention, bilateral sacral neuromodulation achieves a more satisfactory therapeutic effect than unilateral S3 stimulation, and these neural structures are important for the control of urination and defecation.…”

The Case for Local Needling in Successful Randomized Controlled Trials of Peripheral Neuropathy: A Follow-Up Systematic Review

“…For many decades, acupuncture practitioners and anatomists have attempted to correlate the location of acupuncture points to peripheral nerves, spinal segments, and spinal plexuses. [11][12][13][14][15][16][17] This neuroanatomical theory of acupuncture suggests that acupuncture's effect is mediated via afferent input through the peripheral nervous system, eliciting a reflex at the level of the spinal cord via the sympathetic plexuses and via efferent input to the visceral organs and skeletal muscle. 18,19 In the case of local needling in close proximity to a nerve, acupuncture's likely mechanism of action is direct mechanical stimulation, such as pressure on the perineural tissues by the needle in manual acupuncture or electrical current stimulation of the nerve with EA.…”

“…These correlations are known and have been explored before. [13][14][15][16]40 Clinical Implications…”