承筋 : Chengjin : Support the Sinews

Classifications:

Binding point of the foot Taiyang Sinews

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

Location:

On the lower leg, 5 cun below Weizhong Bl-40 and midway between Heyang Bl-55 and Chengshan Bl-57, in the centre of the belly of the gastrocnemius muscle.

Needling:

Perpendicular insertion 1 - 1.5 cun

Warnings:

According to several classical texts this point is contraindicated to 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).
"Needling is prohibited, but it may be moxaed with three cones" (Huangfu Mi 皇甫謐, 3rd Century, Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing 針灸甲乙經).

TCM Actions:

Relaxes the sinews, activates the channel and alleviates pain
Benefits the foot and heel

TCM Indications:

• Contraction and pain of the lumbar spine, Painful Obstruction (痹, Bi) of the lower leg, shivering with inability to stand for long, heat sensation in the soles wiht inability to stand for long, pain and contraction of the foot and heel, swelling of the axilla.
  
• Haemorrhoids, constipation, incontinence of both urine and faeces.
  
• Nosebleed, rhinitis, heat in the head, dizziness and headache, Sudden Turmoil (霍亂, Huo Luan) Disorder with cramps, clonic spasm, urticaria.

Neuroanatomy:

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

Dermatome Segment: S2

Deeper Structures: Tibial nerve (L5 - S2)

Trigger Point Associations:

Muscle:
Tibialis posterior

Location Notes:
May be slightly medial and deep to the gastrocnemus muscle

Pain Referral Pattern:
To achilles tendon with spillover across calf and sole of foot

Indications:
Pain in the foot and Achilles tendon when running and walking

Martial Applications & Effects of Injury:

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

Major Combinations:

• Haemorrhoids, swelling of the axilla:
    Chengjin Bl-56 with Chengfu Bl-36, 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).
  
  
• Difficulty in defecation:
    Chengjin Bl-56 with Chengshan Bl-57, Dazhong Kid-4, Zhongliao Bl-33, Guanyuan Ren-4, Taichong Liv-3, Taixi Kid-3 and Zhongwan Ren-12
    (Wang Zhizhong, 王執中, 1220: Zhen Jiu Zi Sheng Jing, 針灸資生經, Classic of Supporting Life with Acupuncture and Moxibustion).
  
  
• Pain of the lumbar region and aversion to cold:
    Chengjin Bl-56 with Ciliao Bl-32 and Baohuang Bl-53
    (Wang Zhizhong, 王執中, 1220: Zhen Jiu Zi Sheng Jing, 針灸資生經, Classic of Supporting Life with Acupuncture and Moxibustion).
  
  
• Lumbar pain as if broken:
    Chengjin Bl-56 with Shugu Bl-65 and Feiyang Bl-58
    (Wang Zhizhong, 王執中, 1220: Zhen Jiu Zi Sheng Jing, 針灸資生經, Classic of Supporting Life with Acupuncture and Moxibustion).
  
  
• Contraction of the legs:
    Chengjin Bl-56 with Chengshan Bl-57, Jinggu Bl-64 and Shanqiu Sp-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).
  
  
• Numbness of the lower leg:
    Chengjin Bl-56 with Xiyangguan GB-33 and Huantiao GB-30
    (Sun Simiao, 孫思邈, 625: Bei Ji Qian Jin Yao Fang, 備急千金要方, Essential Prescriptions Worth A Thousand Gold).
  
  
• Heat in the sole of the foot with inability to stand for long:
    Chengjin Bl-56 with Changshan Bl-57, Tiaokou St-38 and Zusanli St-36
    (Sun Simiao, 孫思邈, 625: Bei Ji Qian Jin Yao Fang, 備急千金要方, Essential Prescriptions Worth A Thousand Gold).
  
  
• Heel pain:
    Chengjin Bl-56 with Chengshan Bl-57, Kunlun Bl-60 and Ahshi points.

Notes:

Medieval phlebotomy point (Hans von Gersdorff, 1517: Feldtbüch der Wundartzney, www.nlm.nih.gov)

Lad and Durve (2008) in Marma Points of Ayurveda call this point medial Indrabasta and associate it with the doshas: Apana Vayu, Vyana Vayu, Ranjaka Pitta and Sadhaka Pitta.

They give the following functions:
- Promotes circulation in the lower extremities
- Benefits the legs and relaxes the muscles
- Regulates the functions of the colon
- Stabilizes mind

A medial Indrabasta is located at Diji Sp-8.

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