Sanjiaoshu Point (BL-22 / Triple Burner Shu, Back Transporting Point of the Triple Burner)
Discover the exact location and acupressure method for Sanjiaoshu (BL-22 / Triple Burner Shu). Learn its benefits for edema, difficult urination, enuresis, ascites, and digestive disorders – the Back Transporting Point of the Triple Burner – plus classic combinations for comprehensive treatment.
Indications
Edema, difficult urination, enuresis (urinary incontinence), ascites (abdominal fluid), borborygmus with diarrhea, abdominal distension, vomiting, and lumbar and spinal stiffness with pain.
Precise Location
In the spinal region, below the spinous process of the 1st lumbar vertebra, 1.5 cun lateral to the posterior midline.
Location Method
Sit upright or lie prone. First locate the spinous process of the 7th cervical vertebra, count down to the 12th thoracic vertebra, then move one vertebra downward to the 1st lumbar spinous process – the point is 2 finger-widths (approximately 1.5 cun) lateral to the lower edge of this spinous process.
Massage Method
Moxibustion: Apply mild-warm moxa stick. Press and knead Sanjiaoshu with the thumb about 200 times, or for 3–5 minutes daily, to treat borborygmus, abdominal distension, vomiting, and diarrhea. Therapeutic actions: Regulates the water passages, promotes diuresis and reduces edema, regulates the Triple Burner, harmonizes the stomach and descends rebellious qi.
Compatibility
Borborygmus and abdominal distension: Combine with Qihai (RN-6). Edema and difficult urination: Combine with Yinlingquan (SP-9), Shuifen (RN-9), and Pangguangshu (BL-28). Enuresis: Combine with Shenshu (BL-23), Guanyuan (RN-4), and Sanyinjiao (SP-6). Ascites: Combine with Shuifen (RN-9), Zhongwan (RN-12), and Zusanli (ST-36). Vomiting and diarrhea: Combine with Zhongwan (RN-12), Neiguan (PC-6), and Zusanli (ST-36). Lumbar and spinal stiffness with pain: Combine with Weizhong (BL-40) and Shenshu (BL-23).
Efficacy & Actions
This point belongs to the Foot Taiyang Bladder Meridian and is the Back Transporting Point where qi of the Triple Burner is transported to the back. It regulates the water passages, promotes diuresis and reduces edema, regulates the Triple Burner, harmonizes the stomach and descends rebellious qi. It is a key point for treating water metabolism and digestive system disorders. First documented in Zhenjiu Jiayijing. "Sanjiao" refers to the Triple Burner; "Shu" means point of transport. This point is where Triple Burner qi is transported to the back – an important point for treating Triple Burner disorders – hence the name Sanjiaoshu (Triple Burner Shu).
