SP 21 — Dà Bāo (大包) — Great Embracing
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1. Overview
SP 21 — Dà Bāo (大包) — is an acupuncture point on the Spleen meridian. Its English name, Great Embracing, reflects the point’s classical character and location. It is used regularly in acupuncture practice for a range of conditions.
I am Dr (TCM) Attilio D’Alberto, a member of the British Acupuncture Council with over 25 years of clinical experience, practising at my clinic in Wokingham, Berkshire.
2. Location
On the lateral chest, on the mid-axillary line, in the 6th intercostal space.
3. Actions
- Great Luo-Connecting point of the Spleen — regulates all Luo channels
- Relieves pain throughout the body from Qi and Blood stagnation in the Luo vessels
- Benefits the chest and ribs
4. Indications
- Generalised aching and pain throughout the body — the Great Luo addresses all Luo channels
- Chest and hypochondriac pain
- Weakness and lassitude of all four limbs from Spleen deficiency
- Breathlessness and asthma
5. Needling
Oblique or transverse insertion 0.5–0.8 cun. Do not needle perpendicularly — lung beneath.
Important: Acupuncture should only be performed by a fully qualified practitioner. All needles I use are sterile, single-use and disposed of in a clinical sharps container immediately after treatment.
6. Clinical notes
SP 21 is the Great Luo-Connecting point (Da Luo) of the Spleen. It is unique in that it connects to all the Luo-Connecting vessels in the body simultaneously. When the Spleen's Great Luo is deficient, there is weakness throughout the body; when it is excess, there is pain and aching everywhere. Its clinical use for generalised body pain and fibromyalgia reflects this whole-body regulatory action.
7. Treatment at my clinic
I use SP 21 as part of tailored acupuncture prescriptions for conditions including Fibromyalgia, Chronic fatigue syndrome. 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.
