Lu 4 - Xiabai
NAME & MEANING:
- Sino-Vietnamese: 俠白穴 (Hiệp Bạch)
- Pinyin: Xiábái (LU 4)
Explanation of the name:
- “俠” (Xia): means to flank, to lie beside or between, referring to the acupoint’s location adjacent to the biceps brachii muscle.
- “白” (Bai): in Traditional Chinese Medicine, “white” is commonly associated with the Lung and Metal phase, symbolizing clear and pure Qi.
→ Xiabai literally conveys the meaning of the Lung Qi flowing alongside the musculature, indicating an acupoint that descends Lung Qi, opens the chest, and regulates Qi dynamics in the thorax and upper limb.
CHARACTERISTICS:
- The 4th acupoint of the Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian
- Belongs to the group of acupoints that regulate Qi, descend rebellious Qi, and open the chest
- Closely related to the functional axis of Lung – Chest – Upper Limb, therefore effective in treating both respiratory disorders and upper-arm pain syndromes
LOCATION:
Located on the anteromedial–anterolateral aspect of the upper arm, along the Lung meridian:
- 1 cun inferior to Tianfu (LU3)
- At the radial border of the biceps brachii muscle
- Corresponds to approximately 4 cun below the anterior axillary fold
Point location method:
With the patient sitting or lying comfortably and the arm relaxed, first locate Tianfu (LU3); measure 1 cun downward along the Lung meridian. Palpate the soft depression along the radial border of the biceps brachii muscle to identify the point.
INDICATIONS & FUNCTIONS:
- Descends Lung Qi and disseminates obstruction in the chest
→ Cough, dry cough, cough due to rebellious Lung Qi, chest oppression, dyspnea, shortness of breath, sensation of thoracic blockage.
- Regulates respiration and supports treatment of airway disorders
→ Asthma, bronchitis, tracheitis, chronic dyspnea due to Qi stagnation.
- Relieves chest constraint and heart-region pain in TCM pattern differentiation
→ Chest pain, Heart pain (Xin Tong), palpitations, chest heaviness due to Lung-Qi constraint in the thorax.
- Alleviates pain of the upper limb
→ Pain along the medial or anterolateral upper arm, biceps muscle pain, pain radiating from the shoulder to the arm along the Lung meridian pathway.
- Regulates Qi and harmonizes the Stomach, stops nausea
→ Nausea, dry retching, vomiting caused by rebellious Qi and Lung–Stomach disharmony.
- Assists in regulating Qi and Blood circulation in the upper limb
→ Heaviness, soreness, fatigue of the arm, Qi-Blood stagnation affecting the upper arm.
NEEDLING METHOD:
- Perpendicular insertion, following the direction of the biceps brachii muscle groove
- Depth: 0.5 – 1.0 cun
Caution:
This region is close to the neurovascular bundle of the upper arm. Accurate angle and depth are required. Avoid excessive depth or medial deviation to prevent injury to blood vessels and nerves.
