Tianzhu BL10: Nomenclature, Location, Function, Indication, Method

Nomenclature:

Tian: heaven       Zhu:pillar
Heaven here means “upper”. The cervical spine was called “zhugu” (pillar bone) in ancient times and the point, tianzhu is lateral to it.

Point: BL10
Chinese Name: 天柱
Name: Tianzhu
English Name/Meaning: Celestial Pillar
Pinyin: tiān zhù
Han Geul 한글: cheon ju 천주
Romaji: ten chū
Vietnamese:Thiên trụ

Location:

On the nape of the neck, in the depression of lateral border of m.trapezium 0.5 cun directly above the midpoint of posterior hairline, 1.3cun lateral to the anterior-posterior midline.

Functions of tianzhu:

• Dispels wind and dissipates cold.
• Soothes the sinew and opens the connecting vessels.
• Clears the head and brightens the eyes.
• Relieves pain.

Indication:

• Headache, dizziness;
• Blurred vision, nasal congestion;
• Stiff neck, pain in the upper back and shoulder.

Method:

Puncture perpendicularly or obliquely 0.5-0.8 cun.

Precautions:

Avoid deep puncture  to prevent   medullar damage.