Kunlun Point (BL-60 / Kunlun Mountain, also known as Xiakunlun, Neikunlun)
Unblocks the meridians and relieves pain, removes stasis and descends qi, clears the head and brightens the eyes. Based on its properties, it is clinically used for headache, cervical spondylosis, lumbar pain, coccyx pain, sciatica, and difficult labor.
Indications
Occipital headache, stiff neck, lumbosacral pain, and ankle swelling with pain. (1) Motor system disorders: Stiff neck, cervical spondylosis, neck-shoulder pain, lumbar pain, lumbosacral pain, sciatica, ankle pain, heel pain. (2) Head, face and orificial disorders: Dizziness, epistaxis, vertigo, vertex headache, occipital headache, supraorbital ridge pain. (3) Obstetric disorders: Difficult labor, retained placenta. (4) Others: Malaria, hypertension, epilepsy.
Precise Location
Located on the Bladder Meridian, 0.5 cun posterior to the lateral malleolus, in the depression on the calcaneus.
Location Method
Sit upright with feet on the floor. Move the foot slightly backward and to the side, lifting the heel. With the same-side hand, four fingers below and palm facing up, support the heel. Bend the thumb and place the pad in the depression behind the lateral malleolus – that is the point.
Massage Method
Bend the thumb and gently scrape from top to bottom with the knuckle – apply to both sides simultaneously or separately for 1–3 minutes. Therapeutic actions: Disperses heat and transforms qi, relaxs the sinews and unblocks the collaterals, unblocks the meridians and relieves pain, clears the head and brightens the eyes.
Compatibility
Lumbar and back soreness: Combine with Qiuxu (GB-40), Yuji (LU-10), Kunlun (BL-60), Jinggu (BL-64), and Jingqu (LU-8). Disease overview: Prolonged work causes lumbar and back soreness – a warning sign of protein deficiency. Protein burns fat; when insufficient, fat is not fully burned, producing harmful substances like pyruvic acid, causing soreness. Massage sequence: Massage Qiuxu, Yuji, Kunlun, Jinggu, and Jingqu – 3 minutes each. Vertigo: Combine with Fengchi (GB-20) and Tongtian (BL-7). Lower limb bi-pain: Combine with Huantiao (GB-30), Yinmen (BL-37), Weizhong (BL-40), Yanglingquan (GB-34), and Kunlun (BL-60). Stiff painful neck: Combine with Fengchi (GB-20), Tianzhu (BL-10), and Houxi (SI-3). Heel pain: Combine with Taixi (KI-3), Shenmai (BL-62), and Zhaohai (KI-6). Supraorbital ridge pain: Combine with Cuanzhu (BL-2). Ankle pain: Combine with Qiuxu (GB-40). Leg cramps: Combine with Chengshan (BL-57). Sciatica and lower limb bi-syndrome: Combine with Dachangshu (BL-25), Zhibian (BL-54), and Weizhong (BL-40). Kidney-deficiency lumbar pain: Combine with Shenshu (BL-23) and Yaoyan (EX-B7). Knee joint pain: Combine with Yanglingquan (GB-34), Ququan (LR-8), and Heding (EX-LE2). Vertigo and headache: Combine with Ququan (LR-8), Feiyang (BL-58), Qiangu (SI-2), Shaoze (SI-1), and Tongli (HT-5). Dizziness with blurred vision: Combine with Tianzhu (BL-10) and Taodao (GV-13). Manic agitation with incessant talking: Combine with Fengfu (GV-16) and Shugu (BL-65). Genital swelling and pain: Combine with Ciliao (BL-32), Heyang (BL-55), and Sanyinjiao (SP-6).
Efficacy & Actions
Kunlun belongs to the Foot Taiyang Bladder Meridian and is the Jing-River point of this meridian. It unblocks the meridians and collaterals, reduces swelling and relieves pain, strengthens the lumbar region and legs, unblocks the meridians and resolves stasis. It is a key point for treating headache, stiff neck, lumbar pain, and other disorders along the Bladder Meridian. First documented in Lingshu · Benshu. Kunlun is originally the name of a mountain, meaning lofty and grand. Located behind the lateral malleolus, which rises like a mountain – hence the name Kunlun (Kunlun Mountain). It is also known as "Xiakunlun" and "Neikunlun." The ancient text Zhouhou Ge states: "For persistent pain in the knee and leg, seek the inner and outer ankle." This shows that Kunlun effectively unblocks the meridians, reduces swelling, and relieves pain for redness, swelling, and ankle pain. The Yixue Rumen also records: "For those bent over walking with a cane, needling Kunlun allows them to throw away the cane and walk." Thus it is highly effective for the lumbar region, legs, and spine. (1) Key Point for Cervical, Shoulder, Lumbar and Leg Pain: As the Jing-River point of the Bladder Meridian – which runs from the head down the back to the foot – according to "where the meridian passes, there it treats," it treats stiff neck, cervical spondylosis, frozen shoulder, back pain, lumbar pain, lumbosacral pain, sciatica, and ankle sprain – especially effective for neck and lumbosacral pain. The Great Compendium states: "Kunlun treats lumbar and sacral pain, leg disorders, swelling of the heel with inability to walk, ankle pain, headache, shoulder and back tension, cough and wheezing, and lumbar pain with curvature." The Yizong Jinjian · Cijiu Xinfa Yaojue states: "For spasms with lumbar-sacral pain, shoulder heaviness, headache, spinal tension, sudden wheezing, and inability to walk – needling Kunlun brings relief." (2) Effective Point for Occipital Headache, Vertex Headache, and Supraorbital Ridge Pain: The Bladder Meridian originates at the inner canthus, ascends to the head and neck, and runs along the occipital region – thus it effectively treats these conditions. The Lingshu · Jingmai states: "It treats headache and eye pain." (3) Effective Point for Difficult Labor and Retained Placenta: As a Bladder Meridian point internally-externally related to the Kidney Meridian and connected to Taixi (KI-3), it regulates uterine vessels. With strong blood-activating effects, it treats difficult labor and retained placenta. The Great Compendium states: "Needling during pregnancy may cause miscarriage" – thus contraindicated in pregnancy.
Contraindications
Contraindicated in pregnant women. Use with caution during menstruation (especially with heavy flow).
