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Introduction: Baliao points are clinically highly effective for treating lower jiao disorders, especially issues with pelvic organs, and are often selected for acupuncture. Depending on the heat-cold and deficiency-excess nature of the condition, treatment methods such as filiform needle acupuncture, fire needling, bloodletting, or pricking can be chosen, all with reliable results.

Discussion on Baliao Points

Wang Ling

The Baliao points are located in the sacral foramina, belonging to the Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian and intersecting with the Foot-Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian. They have a wide range of indications. Clinically, these points are commonly used to treat meridian disorders such as lumbosacral pain, weakness or paralysis of the lower limbs, and arthralgia. However, it is important to note that the Baliao points are situated at the convergence of nerves and blood vessels that innervate the pelvic visceral organs, making them particularly effective for certain internal organ disorders. Their therapeutic applications are discussed below in conjunction with clinical case studies.

Treatment of Urinary System Disorders

The Baliao points are connected to the Foot-Taiyang Meridian, which relates to the bladder and connects with the kidneys. The bladder is responsible for storing fluids, transforming qi to promote urination, and regulating urinary excretion, while the kidneys govern water metabolism. Stimulating the Baliao points can regulate the qi transformation functions of these organs, facilitating the opening and closing of the bladder. This makes them effective for treating conditions such as urinary retention, enuresis, and dribbling urination.

Urinary Retention:

In 1977, eight patients developed urinary retention following hemorrhoid surgery, presenting with lower abdominal distention, restlessness, and distress. After needling the bilateral Ciliao (BL 32) acupoints, six patients urinated within 10 minutes. The remaining two patients were needled again at the original points half an hour later, and both urinated within 10 minutes after needle removal.

Enuresis:

Li XX, female, aged 19, presented on December 6, 1988. The patient was diagnosed with enuresis at the age of 7, which had persisted for 12 years. X-ray imaging revealed congenital spina bifida occulta. At the time of consultation, she reported involuntary urination during the night, occurring up to five times. She also experienced soreness and discomfort in the lumbosacral region, cold intolerance, cold limbs, a pale tongue with a white coating, and a deep, weak Chi pulse. The pattern was identified as recalcitrant enuresis due to kidney-yang deficiency, failure of the lower origin to secure, and loss of bladder control. Acupuncture was administered at Ciliao (BL 32), Zhongliao (BL 33), and Shenshu (BL 23) to warm and tonify the lower origin; Baihui (DU 20) to uplift yang qi; and Zhongji (RN 3), Weizhong (BL 40), and Houxi (SI 3) to stimulate bladder function. Additionally, moxibustion with moxa was applied to the lumbosacral area. After two treatments, the frequency of enuresis significantly decreased. A treatment course consisted of 10 sessions. After two courses, the condition was largely resolved. Due to excessive fatigue, there was a temporary recurrence. Following another one and a half courses of the same treatment, the therapeutic effect was consolidated. Follow-up after several months showed no relapse.

Treating Reproductive System Disorders

The Baliao points belong to the bladder organ, which is exteriorly-interiorly related to the kidneys. The kidneys store essence and are the foundation of reproduction. The region where the Baliao points are located is traversed by numerous channels. Among them, the Governor Vessel (Du Mai), the Thoroughfare Vessel (Chong Mai), and the Conception Vessel (Ren Mai) all originate from the pelvic cavity, emerge from the perineum, converge with the foot Shaoyin kidney channel and foot Taiyang bladder channel at the tip of the sacrum and coccyx, and ascend along the spine. Both the Thoroughfare and Conception Vessels have branches that pass backward through the spine. These three vessels connect with the reproductive organs within the pelvic cavity and also communicate with the liver channel.

Physiologically, they are related to human reproductive functions. Pathologically, they are closely associated with male disorders such as hernia, seminal emission, impotence, and female disorders related to menstruation, leukorrhea, pregnancy, and childbirth. Based on these organ connections and channel pathways, the Baliao points can be used to treat reproductive system diseases.

Impotence:

Xu XX, male, 52 years old, consultation in November 1980. The patient presented with impotence for over 3 years, accompanied by soreness and weakness of the lower back and knees, fatigue, and lassitude. His complexion was pale, the tongue was pale, and the pulse was thin and weak, indicating deficiency of essence and blood leading to malnourishment of the ancestral tendons. Two-cun fine needles were used to deeply puncture the bilateral Zhongliao points, causing needle sensation to radiate to the lower abdomen. Additionally, the Qugu point was strongly stimulated, eliciting an electric shock-like sensation extending directly to the penis. Treatment was complemented by needling the Shenshu and Ligou points. Needles were retained for 20 minutes both before and after stimulation. After 5 sessions, the patient reported improvement in symptoms. After continuing treatment for 3 more courses, the condition was cured.

Dysmenorrhea:

Zhang XX, female, 22 years old, consultation on January 16, 1986. Due to a retroverted uterus, she experienced severe lower abdominal pain, radiating to the lower back, during the premenstrual period and the initial phase of menstruation. Following medical advice, acupuncture treatment commenced one week before the expected menstrual period, targeting only the bilateral Ciliao points with reinforcing twisting manipulation. The procedure was performed once daily. By the sixth session, menstruation occurred without any pain. The same method was continued for the subsequent two menstrual cycles, starting one week before each period, and no dysmenorrhea occurred. Follow-up three months after discontinuing treatment showed no recurrence.

Treating Digestive System Disorders:

The Bāliáo acupoints function to clear stagnation in the lower energizer, eliminate dampness, purge heat, regulate qi flow, and enhance colon peristalsis. They can be used to treat digestive disorders such as abdominal pain, borborygmus, diarrhea, constipation, and bloody stools.

Diarrhea:

Patient Liu, male, 36 years old, cadre. In June 1988, he sought treatment for loose stools and frequent bowel movements. For over two years, he often experienced abdominal discomfort, poor appetite, and diarrhea triggered by slight dietary irregularities. Typically, he had 2–3 bowel movements per day, accompanied by feelings of fatigue, drowsiness, and weakness. Colonoscopy at a hospital diagnosed him with irritable colon. Despite treatment with Western medicine and nearly 100 doses of Chinese herbal decoctions, there was no improvement. His tongue was pale with teeth marks at the edges and a thick, greasy, yellow coating at the root; his pulse was slippery, rapid, and weak. This pattern indicated spleen deficiency with excessive dampness, which over time transformed into heat, leading to damp-heat accumulation in the intestines—a condition of deficient root and excessive pathogen. Zhongliao (BL 33) and Quchi (LI 11) were needled to clear damp-heat from the large intestine, while Zhongwan (CV 12), Tianshu (ST 25), and Shangjuxu (ST 37) were selected to regulate gastrointestinal qi flow. After continuous treatment for half a month, the condition resolved completely. Treatment continued for an additional week to consolidate the therapeutic effect.

Hemorrhoidal Bleeding:

Gong XX, female, aged 53, has suffered from mixed hemorrhoids for over 20 years. On July 2, 1988, she sought treatment due to fresh blood in stool. She complained of constipation for half a month and pain around the anus. That morning, she experienced difficulty during defecation, which caused the hemorrhoids to rupture and bleed. The patient was placed in a prone position, revealing a red papule-like reactive substance each at the left Ciliao (BL32) and right Xialiao (BL34) acupoints on her lower back. Thick needles were used to prick each of these, squeezing out a small amount of viscous fluid. Bilateral Chengshan (BL57) acupoints were additionally needled. After one treatment, the bleeding stopped, and the pain was significantly alleviated. Over the next three days, continuous needling of bilateral Xialiao (BL34) and Chengshan (BL57) acupoints was performed, after which bowel movements began to normalize, and perianal pain essentially disappeared. After two additional treatments, all symptoms were completely resolved.