Location
Midpoint of the transverse crease of the popliteal fossa between tendons of the biceps femoris and semitendinosus.
Cautions
Caution in weakness/fatigue; avoid strong stimulation.
Indications
Conditions for which BL40 is listed as indicated. An indication list is a reference index, not a prescription – see the protocols below for sourced treatments.
Muscle WastingBenefit Back LumbarBenefit Back LumbarBenefit BladderBenefit BladderBenefit KneesBenefit KneesChills AlternatingChills AlternatingClove SoresContraction Tendon Ligament Popliteal FossaContraction Tendon / Ligament Popliteal FossaDiarrheaDisease FebrileDisease FebrileTurmoil DisorderTurmoil DisorderHypogastrium BloatingHypogastrium BloatingDysenteryUrinary ProblemsUrinary ProblemsEczemaBedwettingEpilepsyErysipelas Cinnabar ToxinErysipelas Cinnabar ToxinFeverAbdomen Inferior FullnessAbdomen Inferior FullnessHaemorrhoids PainfulHaemorrhoids PainfulHeat BloodHeat BloodHeat LimbsHeat LimbsHeaviness Back LumbarHeaviness Back LumbarHeaviness ButtockHeaviness ButtockHemiplegiaHip StiffnessStiff KneeSpine Lumbar StiffnessImmobility HipImmobility KneeImmobility Spine LumbarInjury ColdInjury ColdMalariaNosebleedPainAbdominal PainAbdominal PainCoccyx PainCoccyx PainHeadacheHeadacheLower Abdominal PainLower Abdominal PainKnee PainKnee PainTeeth Inferior Jaw PainTeeth Inferior Jaw PainThigh PainThigh PainToe Hallux PainToe Hallux PainPharyngitisCold Sacrum SensationCold Sacrum SensationChannel StagnationChannel StagnationSpontaneous SweatingSpontaneous SweatingBi Arthralgia Leg SyndromeBi / Arthralgia Leg SyndromeBi Arthralgia Wind SyndromeBi / Arthralgia Wind SyndromeSummer Heat SyndromeSummer-heat SyndromeThirsting Excessive PersistentThirsting Excessive PersistentUrine DarkUrine DarkHivesVomitingLeg WeaknessLeg WeaknessStroke
Protocols using BL40
- Knee Pain, Osteoarthritis Knee, Knee Problems, Stiffness Knee – ST34, ST35, ST36, SP09, SP10, BL40, GB34 (https://doi.org/10.2147/JPR.S445770)
- Dysphagia Post-stroke, Swallowing Dysfunction – LU05, SP06, HT05, BL40, KD06, PC06, CV23, GV26 (https://doi.org/10.13702/j.1000-0607.20250421)
- Paralysis Hemiplegia, Paralysis Flaccid – LU05, LI04, SP06, HT01, BL40, KD01, PC06, GB40, CV04, GV26 (Mao Min, Chen Xin, Chen Yuefeng, Rao Ping, Liu Jian. Stage-oriented Comprehensive Acupuncture Treatment plus Rehabilitation Training for Apoplectic Hemiplegia. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2008, 28(2): 90-93)
- Leg Pain, Buttock Pain, Low Back Pain, Mobility Reduced, Spinal Stenosis Lumbar, Neurogenic Claudication – SP09, BL23, BL25, BL32, BL39, BL40, BL51, BL52, BL54, BL57, BL60, GB30, GB34, GB39, GV03 (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.imr.2025.101204)
- Disability Low Back, Low Back Chronic Pain – ST04, ST36, SP13, SP14, BL23, BL24, BL25, BL37, BL40, GB12, GB26, GB30, GB34, GB41, GV03, GV04, GV05, GV24, GV26 (https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2474-11-118)
- Spondylosis Lumbar – BL23, BL25, BL40, GV03 (Evaluation of the Pain Relief Effect of Battlefield Acupuncture on Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain Due to Lumbar Spine Degeneration.. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06874959)
- Low Back Pain – ST36, BL25, BL40, GB30, GB34 (Evaluating Acupuncture Relationship With the Catecholaminergic Pathway. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02876432)
- Motor Dysfunction, Paralysis Hemiplegia, Stroke Sequela, Hemiplegia Post-stroke – LU05, SP06, HT01, BL40, PC06, GV26 (https://doi.org/10.27127/d.cnki.ghlzu.2025.000611)
- Degenerative Lumbar Spinal Stenosis – BL23, BL25, BL40, BL57, KD03 (Efficacy and Safety of Acupuncture for Degenerative Lumbar Spinal Stenosis. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02644746)
- Sciatica, Leg Pain, Foot Pain, Lower Back Pain – BL23, BL25, BL40, BL60, GB30 (CHEN Mei-ren, WANG Ping, CHENG Gang, GUO Xiang, WEI Gao-wen, CHENG Xu-hui. The Warming Acupuncture for Treatment of Sciatica in 30 Cases. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, March 2009, Vol. 29, No. 1: 50-53)
- Knee Osteoarthritis – ST35, ST36, SP09, SP10, BL40, GB33, GB34 (Combined Effect of Laser Acupuncture and Electroacupuncture in Knee Osteoarthritis Patients. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04188925)
- Sciatica, Leg Pain, Low Back Pain, Radiculopathy, Lower Extremity Numbness – BL25, BL40 (https://doi.org/10.1186/1745-6215-12-226)