臂臑 : Binao : Upper Arm

Location Guides:

Classifications:

Seven Star Point

Meetings:

Meeting of Large Intestine with Small Intestine, Bladder and Yang Wei Mai

Location:

On the lateral side of the upper arm, in the visible and tender depression formed between the distal insertion of the deltoid muscle and the brachialis muscle approximately 3/5ths of the distance along a line drawn between Quchi L.I.-11 and Jianyu L.I.-15

Needling:

Oblique insertion 1 to 1.5 cun

Classical Needling:

"The Yangming usually has much Qi and much Blood" (Su Wen 素問 ch. 24) implying this channel can normally be needled or bled.
"The hand Yin and Yang receive their Qi via nearby paths so their Qi arrive swiftly. The depth of piercing must not exceed 2 fen and must not remain inserted for longer than one exhalation" (Ling Shu 靈樞 ch. 12).
"It is needled to a depth of three fen and moxaed with three cones" (Huangfu Mi 皇甫謐, 3rd Century, Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing 針灸甲乙經).

TCM Actions:

Activatges the channel and alleviates pain
Regulates Qi and dissipates Phlegm nodules
Benefits the eyes

TCM Indications:

• Pain, numbness and Painful Obstruction (痹, Bi) of the upper arm and shoulder, wasting and weakness of the upper arm, inability to raise the arm, contraction and stiffness of the neck.
  
• Scrofula, goitre, chest pain.
  
• Redness, swelling and pain of the eyes.

Neuroanatomy:

Superficial Innervation: Upper lateral cutaneous of the arm from C5 - C6

Dermatome Segment: C5

Martial Applications & Effects of Injury:

Being one of the "Seven Star" points, striking here causes great Qi damage to the whole body, blocking Qi from entering the body, causing weakness and extreme emotional problems as the mind knows something really bad has happened but is not quite sure what it is (Montaigue, Dim Mak Locations, Taijiworld.com).

Major Combinations:

• Pain and inability to raise the arm:
    Binao LI-14 with Zhouliao LI-12
    (Preserving Life).
  
  
• Wasting and weakness of the arm with inability to raise the arm to the head:
    Binao LI-14 with Jianyu LI-15
    (Preserving Life).
  
  
• Scofula:
    Binao LI-14 with Shouwuli LI-13
    (Gao Wu, 高武, 1529: Bai Zheng Fu, 百症賦, Ode of a Hundred Symptoms).

Notes:

Ling Shu Ch. 52, On the Wei Qi, considers this to be the root of the hand Yangming meridian with the tip being at Touwei St-8. Both of these are based on an unclear description and debated. The attribution of this point is based on Beinao being a mispronunciation of this point but other commentators describe it as an alternative name for Shangyang LI-1.

The seven star points (Baihui Du-20, Binao LI-14, Tianchuang SI-16 and Huantiao LI-14) take energy in from the outside. They are used in Qigong stances as Qi input points (Montaigue, Dim Mak Locations, Taijiworld.com).

In Mayan medicine:
Used to treat pain in the upper extremities (Garcia, Sierra, Balam, 1999: Wind in the Blood)

Lad and Durve (2008) in Marma Points of Ayurveda call this point Adhah Skandha and associate it with the doshas: Prana Vayu, Vyana Vayu, Udana Vayu, Avalbaka Kapha, Kledaka Kapha, Shleshaka Kapha and Pachaka Pitta.

They give the following functions:
- Benefits the upper extremities and shoulders
- Influences lungs and stomach
- Relieves stress, stagnant emotions

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