Great tributary channel of the spleen, Chinese woodcut, 1817

Great tributary channel of the spleen (pi zhi da luo), woodcut illustration from 1817 edition of Bian Que maishu nan jing (Canon of Problems in Bian Que's Book of the Pulse) by Xiong Qinghu (Qing period 1644-1911). This illustration relates to the dabao (Great Wrapping) acupoint, which is marked and labelled on the side of the figure. The dabao point belongs to the spleen channel of foot taiyin and the great tributary channel of the spleen. In the early medical classic Huangdi neijing, it is named in the Ling Shu (Numinous pivot) section as dabao, and in the Suwen (Plain questions) section xuli. All channels are said to originate here. It is situated on the side of the chest, on the middle axillary line, in the sixth intercostal space. This point is mainly used in the treatment of pain and sense of fullness in the chest and sides: asthma; pain and discomfort involving the whole body; weakness of the limbs, etc.

Image title: Great tributary channel of the spleen (pi zhi da luo) Labelled point: Dabao (Great Wrapping)