The bladder meridian is paired with the kidney meridian and is associated with the water element. It begins at the inside corner of the eye, travels up on either side of the atlas (first cervical vertebra) and travels along both sides of the spine down the neck, and along the back, over the gluteals, down the hind leg and ends at the ting point at the foot. The kidney meridian begins between the heel bulbs of the hind foot, travels up the inside of the hind leg, along the abdomen and ends at the pectorals.
Because of its location, points on the bladder meridian can be used for diagnosis and treatment of local muscle pain, eye and ear problems. Points on the bladder meridian on the back from the 2nd thoracic vertebral space to the end of the sacrum are used to stimulate the spinal nerves as they exit the spinal column. These nerves are not only important for muscle movement, pain and skin sensation but also innervate the viceral organs. These points are called Bladder association points because we can use them to treat and diagnose problems of the organs they are associated with. For example, Bl 13 located near the 8th intervetebral space near the back edge of the shoulder, is associated with the lung so can be used for cough, heaves, asthma, fever and anhydrosis. It can also be used for local shoulder or wither pain.
The bladder and kidney meridians are also very important sites for treatment of hormonal and reproductive problems, incontinence, edema and arthritis. The bladder points in the lumbar and sacral area are the most commonly used acupuncture points in both animals and people. Who doesn’t have qi deficiency (tiredness) and qi stagnation (low back pain) ?
Chiropractic treatment in conjuction with acupuncture is very powerful when there is stagnation in the bladder meridian. Chiropractic manipulation is used to resolve vertebral subluxations. A vertebral subluxation occurs when there is a lack of normal movement in the joints of the spine due to muscle spasm. Acupuncture in conjuction with Chiropractic can help relieve muscle spasm and release endorphins for pain and can also affect the body globally to treat the root of the problem.
Wendy Ying, DVM
