Low back injuries are one of the most common musculoskeletal conditions seen in acupuncture clinics. When it comes to acute lumbar sprain—often triggered by sudden movement, heavy lifting, or poor posture—pain can be severe and mobility limited. Fortunately, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers rapid relief through targeted acupuncture formulas. One such approach is a three-needle combination of DU26, SI3, and BL60—a powerful protocol for unlocking the spine, releasing tension, and reducing inflammation.
This technique works quickly and effectively, especially when applied in the early stages of injury, and is rooted in both TCM channel theory and modern clinical experience.
⚡ DU26 (Shuigou): Emergency Point for the Spine
• Location: On the face, above the upper lip, at the junction of the upper third and middle third of the philtrum.
• Indications:
• Acute lumbar sprain
• Loss of consciousness
• Facial paralysis
• Severe back pain with spasm
• Function: DU26 is a powerful revival point on the Governing Vessel (Du Mai), which governs the spine. It has a strong descending action and is often used in emergency protocols—including shock and collapse. In the case of lumbar sprain, DU26 helps by unblocking Qi in the spine, relaxing spinal muscles, and creating an immediate neurological shift in pain .
🔥 SI3 (Houxi): Master Point of the Du Channel
• Location: On the ulnar border of the hand, in the depression proximal to the head of the fifth metacarpal bone.
• Indications:
• Acute and chronic lumbar pain
• Neck stiffness
• Headache, ear disorders
• Function: SI3 is the confluent point of the Du Channel, which runs along the spine. Needling SI3 opens the Du Mai and directly targets the spine—especially in cases of trauma, stiffness, and spasm. It’s particularly useful in acute lumbar injury because it accesses the energetic highway of the back and relieves pain distally, without touching the inflamed area directly.
🌊 BL60 (Kunlun): “Mountain Pass”
• Location: In the depression between the lateral malleolus and the Achilles tendon.
• Indications:
• Lumbar pain
• Sciatica
• Neck stiffness
• Occipital headaches
• Function: BL60 is one of the most effective distal points for back pain, especially along the Urinary Bladder Channel, which traverses the entire back. Known as “Kunlun”—the name of a sacred mountain—it’s used to move Qi and Blood, relax the sinews, and reduce pain along the entire back
Why This Combination Works
• DU26 works locally and neurologically to relieve acute spasm and pain.
• SI3 connects to the Du Channel, regulating the spine’s energetic axis.
• BL60, a distal point on the Bladder Channel, addresses pain along the entire posterior chain.
Together, these three points form a synergistic triangle to relieve pain, restore alignment, and bring mobility back to the lumbar region—without needling directly into the area of injury, which may be too tender or inflamed.
When to Use This Protocol
Ideal for:
• Sudden low back injury or strain
• Pain that radiates to the glutes or legs
• Spasm, tightness, or restricted movement
• Cases where local needling is contraindicated
This three-needle formula is a quick and effective way to reduce acute low back pain and restore function. Whether you’re a practitioner treating sprains or a patient seeking non-invasive relief, this protocol exemplifies the beauty of TCM: strategic, powerful, and aligned with the body’s healing wisdom.
Ready to experience relief? Book your session here.
