UB 40 Location, Function, and Benefit

He-Sea Point

UB 40 Point Location

Midpoint of the transverse crease of the popliteal fossa, between the tendons of biceps femoris and semitendinosus.¹

Unlike many lower-limb points, it is not situated within a muscle belly, but rather in a soft, anatomical crease.

Because of this location:

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• The area contains vascular structures, requiring careful palpation and awareness.
• Veins and arteries must be avoided during insertion.

Needling considerations:

• Shallow insertion is appropriate:
  • Approximately 0.25–0.5 cun
• Heavy stimulation is not required and generally unnecessary.
• Precision and gentleness matter more than depth or intensity.

This makes UB40 a point where technical restraint improves both safety and outcomes.

Clinical Usage and Indications

Patient positioning:

• UB40 is best accessed with the patient in a prone position (lying face down), which allows optimal exposure of the popliteal crease.

Primary clinical strengths:

• Particularly effective when treating back pain and knee pain together
• Serves as a strong distal point for lumbar and posterior chain conditions

Common point combinations:

• Frequently paired with:
  • UB25 (lumbar association point)
  • UB57 (posterior leg / calf involvement)

Relation to nearby points:

• UB40 lies on the same horizontal level as UB39
• Clinical strategy emphasized in the audio:
  • Avoid needling UB38, UB39, and UB40 simultaneously
  • Instead, select one or two based on:
    • Patient constitution
    • Tissue quality
    • Symptom presentation

This reflects a selective, not excessive, approach to point choice.

Meridian and Physiological Context

UB40 is a key point on the Bladder Meridian, and like many lower-extremity points, it has both local and systemic effects.

Key concepts:

• Lower limb points play a role in regulating lower body organs
• UB40 maintains a direct energetic relationship with the Bladder organ
• Clinically, its usefulness extends well beyond urological concerns, especially in:
  • Musculoskeletal pain
  • Posterior muscles tension
  • Lumbar and knee conditions

UB 40 Functions and Benefits

Benefits tendons

Muscluar atrophy²

1. Cheng X. Chinese Acupuncture and Moxibustion. Beijing, China: Foreign Languages Press; 1987:174 ↩︎
2. Cheng X. Chinese Acupuncture and Moxibustion. Beijing, China: Foreign Languages Press; 1987:174 ↩︎