BL 4 — Qū Chāi (曲差) — Crooked Curve

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Overview
Location
Actions
Indications
Needling
Clinical notes
Treatment at my clinic

1. Overview

BL 4 — Qū Chāi (曲差) — is an acupuncture point on the Bladder meridian. Its English name, Crooked Curve, reflects the deviation of the channel as it crosses from the midline at this location. It is used in acupuncture practice for headache, nasal and visual disorders.

I am Dr (TCM) Attilio D’Alberto, a member of the British Acupuncture Council with over 25 years of clinical experience. I use BL 4 as part of individually tailored acupuncture prescriptions at my clinic in Wokingham, Berkshire.

2. Location

On the head, 0.5 cun within the anterior hairline, 1.5 cun lateral to the midline, level with GV 24 (Shén Tíng).

3. Actions

Expels Wind and clears the head
Brightens the eyes
Opens the nose
Activates the channel and alleviates pain

4. Indications

Frontal headache
Dizziness and blurred vision
Nasal congestion and rhinitis
Sinusitis
Loss of smell (anosmia)
Eye pain and dim vision
Epistaxis (nosebleed)

5. Needling

Transverse insertion 0.3–0.5 cun directed posteriorly along the scalp. Moxibustion is applicable.

Important: Acupuncture should only be performed by a fully qualified practitioner. Never attempt self-needling. All needles I use are sterile, single-use and disposed of immediately after treatment in a clinical sharps container.

6. Clinical notes

BL 4 Qū Chāi is a local point used in combination with other forehead and vertex points such as BL 3 (Méi Chōng), BL 5 (Wǔ Chù) and GV 24 (Shén Tíng) for frontal headache and Wind-Heat patterns affecting the head. It is also useful for nasal disorders when combined with LI 20 (Yíng Xiāng).

7. Treatment at my clinic

I use BL 4 as part of tailored acupuncture prescriptions for conditions including Headaches, sinusitis, rhinitis and ocular discomfort. Each treatment is individually designed following a full TCM assessment.

I see patients in person at my clinic in Wokingham, Berkshire. Visit the prices page for consultation fees. Return to the acupuncture points directory or the acupuncture main page.