SP21 (Dabao, “Great Wrapping”) is the Luo-Connecting Point point of the Spleen Channel Meridian. It is located on the lateral aspect of the chest, on the mid-axillary line, in the 6th intercostal space. The classical texts place it 3 cun inferior to YuanYe (GB22), which is located 3 cun inferior to the apex of the axilla. It is also described as emerging between the 9th ribs. It regulates Qi and Blood, unbinds the chest and hypochondrium, strengthens the sinews and joints, benefits the collaterals.
On the lateral aspect of the chest, on the mid-axillary line, in the 6th intercostal space. The classical texts place it 3 cun inferior to YuanYe (GB22), which is located 3 cun inferior to the apex of the axilla. It is also described as emerging between the 9th ribs.
Oblique or transverse insertion 0.5-1.0 cun along the intercostal space. Caution: Deep perpendicular insertion carries a risk of pneumothorax.
Regulates Qi and Blood, unbinds the chest and hypochondrium, strengthens the sinews and joints, benefits the collaterals.
Pain in the chest and hypochondrium, difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, gurgling sound in the throat, generalized body pain, laxity of all the joints and limbs, asthenia of the four limbs.
As the Great Luo-Connecting point of the Spleen, Dabao has a unique global effect on the body's network of collaterals. The classics state that in excess conditions, it treats pain throughout the entire body, while in deficiency, it addresses widespread laxity and weakness in the joints and limbs. Its location also makes it a key point for resolving pain and constriction in the chest and lateral ribs, particularly when breathing is affected. It is considered to govern all the yin and yang luo vessels, making it a point of systemic regulation.
Classical text; the translation was prepared with AI and is not clinical advice.
《針灸甲乙經》 Zhēnjiǔ Jiǎyǐ Jīng — Systematic Classic of Acupuncture & Moxibustion, c. 256–282 · 卷03 · Source: Wikisource ↗
大包，在淵腋下三寸，脾之大絡，布胸脅中，出九肋間，及季脅端，別絡諸陰者，刺入三分，灸三壯According to this text, SP21 lies 3 cun below Yuanye (GB22) and is the great luo of the spleen; it spreads in the chest and ribs, emerges at the ninth intercostal space and the end of the free ribs, and connects with all the yin channels. Needle 0.3 cun, moxibustion 3 cones.
《醫學入門》 Yīxué Rùmén — Introduction to Medicine, Li Chan, 1575 · 内集·卷一·脏腑 · 脏腑条分 · Source: Wikisource ↗
节缓者，脾之大络名曰大包，出渊腋下三寸，布胸胁，实则身体尽痛，虚则百节尽皆纵缓The text records that the great luo of the spleen is called Dabao (SP21), emerging 3 cun below Yuanye (GB22) and spreading over the chest and ribs; when it is excessive the whole body aches, and when deficient all the joints become slack.
《針灸逢源》 Zhēnjiǔ Féngyuán — Sources of Acupuncture & Moxibustion, Li Xuechuan, 1815 · 卷四 · 經穴考正 · 足太陰脾經穴考 · Source: jicheng.tw ↗
大包 在足少陽淵腋下三寸從周榮外斜下行布胸脅中出九肋間脾之大絡總統陰陽諸絡由脾灌溉五臟。 （針三分灸三壯）治喘氣胸脅痛According to this text, SP21 lies 3 cun below Yuanye (GB22) of the foot Shaoyang, running obliquely down from outside Zhourong (SP20); as the great luo of the spleen it governs the yin and yang connecting vessels, through which the spleen irrigates the five organs. Needle 0.3 cun, moxibustion 3 cones; it was used for wheezing and pain of chest and ribs.
《針方六集》 Zhēnfāng Liùjí — Six Collections on Needling, Wu Kun, 1618 · 卷之五·紛署集 · 腋脅下凡八穴第十八 · Source: jicheng.tw ↗
大包二穴，治腹有大氣不得息，胸脅中痛The text records that SP21 was used for a great qi in the abdomen preventing breathing, and pain in the chest and ribs.
SP21 is one of 21 points on the Spleen Channel Meridian. Nearby points:
SP21 (Dabao) is located on the lateral aspect of the chest, on the mid-axillary line, in the 6th intercostal space. The classical texts place it 3 cun inferior to YuanYe (GB22), which is located 3 cun inferior to the apex of the axilla. It is also described as emerging between the 9th ribs.
SP21 regulates Qi and Blood, unbinds the chest and hypochondrium, strengthens the sinews and joints, benefits the collaterals. Common clinical indications include pain in the chest and hypochondrium, difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, gurgling sound in the throat, generalized body pain, laxity of all the joints and limbs, asthenia of the four limbs.
Oblique or transverse insertion 0.5-1.0 cun along the intercostal space. Caution: Deep perpendicular insertion carries a risk of pneumothorax. Caution: Overlies the thoracic cavity — risk of PNEUMOTHORAX. Needle obliquely or transversely, never deeply or perpendicularly toward the chest wall. The Zi Sheng Jing notes that needling too deeply can cause rebellious qi.
SP21 is a point on the Spleen Channel Meridian (Zú Tài Yīn Pí Jīng).