承扶 : Chengfu : Hold and Support

Classifications:

Binding point of the foot Taiyang Sinews

Trigger point (Travell & Simons, 1998, Trigger Point Manual)

Location:

Just below the buttock, on a line directly superior with Weizhong Bl-40, in the centre of the transverse gluteal crease in a depression between the hamstring muscles.

Needling:

Perpendicular insertion 1 - 2 cun

Classical Needling:

"The Taiyang usually has much Blood and little Qi" (Su Wen 素問 ch. 24) implying this channel should normally be bled.
"The foot Taiyang is to be pierced 5 fen deep and remain inserted for seven exhalations" (Ling Shu 靈樞 ch. 12).
"It is needled to a depth of two cun, (the needle) is retained for a duration of seven exhalations, and it is moxaed with three cones" (Huangfu Mi 皇甫謐, 3rd Century, Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing 針灸甲乙經).

TCM Actions:

Activates the channel, relaxes the sinews and alleviates pain
Regulates the Lower Jiao and alleviates pain
Treats haemorrhoids

TCM Indications:

• Lumbar pain, pain of the sacrum and coccyx, pain of the buttock, sciatica, Painful Obstruction (痹, Bi) and atrophy disorder of the lower limb.
  
• Difficult defecation, difficult urination, pain of the genitals, seminal emission, cold in the uterus, swelling of the axilla.
  
• Chronic haemorrhoids, bleeding haemorrhoids.

Neuroanatomy:

Superficial Innervation: Posterior cutaneous nerve of the thigh (S1 - S3)

Dermatome Segment: S3

Deeper Structures: Sciatic nerve (L4 - S3)

Trigger Point Associations:

Muscle:
Adductor magnus

Pain Referral Pattern:
Intrapelvic

Indications:
Diseases of the hip and knee

Martial Applications & Effects of Injury:

See Montaigue, Dim Mak Locations, Taijiworld.com for explanation of effects.

Major Combinations:

• Difficult urination and seminal emission:
    Chengfu Bl-36 with Lougu Sp-7, Zhongji Ren-3, Ligou Liv-5 and Zhiyin Bl-67
    (Wang Zhizhong, 王執中, 1220: Zhen Jiu Zi Sheng Jing, 針灸資生經, Classic of Supporting Life with Acupuncture and Moxibustion).
  
  
• Haemorrhoids, swelling of the axilla:
    Chengfu Bl-36 with Chengjin Bl-56, Weizhong Bl-40 and Yanggu SI-5
    (Sun Simiao, 孫思邈, 625: Bei Ji Qian Jin Yao Fang, 備急千金要方, Essential Prescriptions Worth A Thousand Gold).
  
  
• Sciatica:
    Chengfu Bl-36 with Ciliao Bl-32, Zhibian Bl-54, Weizhong Bl-40 and Kunlun Bl-60 (Deadman, Al-Khafaji and Baker, 2001, A Manual of Acupuncture).

Notes:

In ayurvedic medicine:
Katika tarunam marma point
Size: 1/2 angula (cun)
Structure: Bone
Effect of Injury: Premature death (kalantarpranahar marma)
(Harish Johari, 1996, Ayurvedic Massage, Sanatan Society; Anupama Bhattacharya, n.d. Marma Shastra)

Lad and Durve (2008) in Marma Points of Ayurveda call this point Sphij and associate it with the doshas: Vyana Vayu and Apana Vayu.

They give the following functions:
- Enhances circulation
- Relieves pain
- Benefits the colon

In Tibetan medicine:
Moxa point (AMNH, Tibetan Medical Paintings)

In Thai massage:
Acupressure point along the Itha (left) and Pingala (right) sen lines running from the navel Shenque Ren-8 to this point and up the back to the neck and head.
Indicated for back pain/injury/arthritis.
(Salguero & Roylance, 2011, Encyclopedia of Thai Massage)

Reference Notes:

Basic information on location, needle depth, TCM actions, indications and combinations is taken from Deadman et al (2001): A Manual of Acupuncture with additional anatomical information researched by reference to Gray's Anatomy (38th Ed., 1995) unless otherwise referenced. Images were found on acupunctureschoolonline.com and can be traced back to Claudia Focks (2008) Atlas of Acupuncture originally. I cannot claim any credit or rights over them. Other sources should be quoted in the text.

For some of the more unusual terms I have created a glossary here