jedwardian: July 12, 2020, 2:51pm
In the heat of a NC summer i’ve found myself tonifying UB on several folks, the first times I’ve given this
particular treatment since starting to learn Sa’am back in March. I’m curious both about body positioning and
about needling of UB40.
Re: body positioning: the only way I’ve found to needle both ST 36 and UB 40 on the same side is to bend the
knee and prop it up on an extra pillow with the hip open, but it’s still awkward to get at UB 40. Any tips?
Secondly, I find myself needling Wei Zhong toward the superior part of the patella (inserting it along the gastroc,
essentially). It would seem to be more ideal to needle towards the hip, but there’s no room to maneuver to get that
angle. WWTDD? (What would Toby Daly do?)
KristinWisgirda: July 12, 2020, 6:22pm
I have seen Toby needle UB40 with the patient supine, externally rotating the leg a little, inserting the needle
directed toward UB36, returning the leg to the start position, then needling ST36. The needle angle is basically flat
to the skin.
The bolster under my patients’ legs is large. It creates enough space for me to needle without moving the leg. I
prefer 50mm needles or needles with longer handles for this point. I have seen Toby use 35 x50mm Myacu needles
which have very long handles.
michaelmax: July 15, 2020, 2:17pm
My understanding is that UB is needled against the channel, so it goes up toward the head, and the angle is severe
enough that the needle lays flat and so it is not a problem for the patient to relax, even if a bolster is under their
knees.