委陽 : Weiyang : Outside of the Crook

Location Guides:

Classifications:

Lower He-Sea point of the San Jiao
Binding point of the foot Taiyang and foot Shaoyin Sinews
Homeostatic point 11 (Ma, Ma & Cho, 2005, Biomedical Acupuncture for Pain Management)

Location:

At the back of the knee, on the popliteal crease and towards its lateral end, in the depression medial to the tendon of biceps femoris. Locate with the knee slightly flexed.

Needling:

Perpendicular insertion 1 - 1.5 cun, or transverse insertion to Ququan Kid-10 combined with Weizhong Bl-40 in "Crossed T-Shaped Needling".

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 seven fen, (the needle) is retained for a duration of five exhalations, and it is moxaed with three cones. Locate it with the" (patient’s) bodya bent forward" (Huangfu Mi 皇甫謐, 3rd Century, Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing 針灸甲乙經).

TCM Actions:

Harmonises the San Jiao and regulates urination
Activates the channel and alleviates pain

TCM Indications:

• Difficult urination, retention of urine, painful urinary dysfunction, enuresis.
  
• Stiffness and pin of the lumbar spine, lumbar pain radiating to the abdomen, contraction and pain of the leg and foot.
  
• Fullness of the chest, pain and swelling of the axilla, distension and fullness of the lower abdomen, haemorrhoids, constipation.

Neuroanatomy:

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

Dermatome Segment: S2

Deeper Structures: Possibly common fibular peroneal nerve (L4 - S2)

Martial Applications & Effects of Injury:

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

Major Combinations:

• Harness and pain in the lower abdomen that radiates to the genitals with inability to urinate:
    Weiyang Bl-29 with Shimen Ren-5 and Yinjiao Ren-7
    (Wang Zhizhong, 王執中, 1220: Zhen Jiu Zi Sheng Jing, 針灸資生經, Classic of Supporting Life with Acupuncture and Moxibustion).
  
  
• Dribbling urination:
    Weiyang Bl-29 with Zhishi Bl-52 and Zhongliao Bl-33
    (Wang Zhizhong, 王執中, 1220: Zhen Jiu Zi Sheng Jing, 針灸資生經, Classic of Supporting Life with Acupuncture and Moxibustion).
  
  
• Involuntary erection with difficult urination:
    Weiyang Bl-29 with Yingu Kid-10, Dadun Liv-1, Qimen Liv-14 and Weizhong Bl-40
    (Wang Zhizhong, 王執中, 1220: Zhen Jiu Zi Sheng Jing, 針灸資生經, Classic of Supporting Life with Acupuncture and Moxibustion).
  
  
• Swelling of the axilla:
    Weiyang Bl-29 with Tianchi Pc-1
    (Gao Wu, 高武, 1529: Bai Zheng Fu, 百症賦, Ode of a Hundred Symptoms).
  
  
• Swelling of the axilla:
    Weiyang Bl-29 with Tianchi Pc-1, Shenmai Bl-62, Diwuhui GB-42, Yangfu GB-38 and Zulinqui GB-41
    (Sun Simiao, 孫思邈, 625: Bei Ji Qian Jin Yao Fang, 備急千金要方, Essential Prescriptions Worth A Thousand Gold).
  
  
• Lumbar pain with inability to bend and extend:
    Weiyang Bl-29 with Yinmen Bl-37, Taibai Sp-3, Yinlingquan Sp-9 and Xingjian Liv-2
    (Sun Simiao, 孫思邈, 625: Bei Ji Qian Jin Yao Fang, 備急千金要方, Essential Prescriptions Worth A Thousand Gold).
  
  
• Opisthotonos, clonic spasm, epilepsy and headache:
    Weiyang Bl-39 with Wuchu Bl-5, Shenzhu Du-12, Weizhong Bl-40 and Kunlun Bl-60
    (Sun Simiao, 孫思邈, 625: Bei Ji Qian Jin Yao Fang, 備急千金要方, Essential Prescriptions Worth A Thousand Gold).

Notes:

This point is also on the 4th trajectory of the Chong mai relating to structural aspects of the body via the Qiao (Yuen, 2005, The Extraoridinary Vessels).

"Crossed T-Shaped Needling" involves transverse needling from Weiyang Bl-40 to Ququan Kid-10 combined with perpendicular needling of Weizhong Bl-40 for numbness or paralysis of the leg (Liu Yan, 2008, Diagrams of Acupuncture Manipulations, p.138).

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

In Thai massage:
Acupressure point indicated for back, leg and knee pain/injury/arthritis and sciatica (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