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The back region is primarily governed by the Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian (Ling Shu states: Diseases generated by the Foot-Taiyang meridian include pain in the nape, back, loins, and sacrum. Su Wen states: When pathogenic factors invade the collaterals of the Foot-Taiyang, it causes spasms and tightness of the back, radiating to the hypochondrium with pain. It also states: Deficiency of Ju Yang [i.e., Foot-Taiyang] leads to pain in the waist, back, head, and nape. Furthermore, diseases of the Foot-Taiyang meridian cause lower back pain radiating to the neck and spine, with a heavy sensation in the sacrum and back. Yang Shangshan explains: Among the three Yang meridians, the term "Jing" [Channel/Classic] refers to the Foot-Taiyang meridian, which originates from the inner canthus, ascends to the head, divides into four pathways, descends to the nape, and along with its main and divergent branches, forms six channels running along the back, constituting the meridians of the body). It is also associated with the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian (Ling Shu states: Diseases of the Hand-Taiyin manifest as shoulder and back pain with sweating due to wind-cold when Qi is excessive; or shoulder and back pain with chills and shortness of breath when Qi is deficient. It further states: High shoulders and sunken chest/throat indicate a high lung position; wide armpits and flared ribs indicate a low lung position; thick muscles on shoulders and back indicate solid lungs; thin muscles on shoulders and back indicate fragile lungs; thick back and chest indicate upright lungs; slanted ribs indicate tilted lungs. Su Wen states: The back belongs to Yang, and within Yang, the Yin organ is the Lung. It also states: The West corresponds to white and connects internally with the Lung, hence disease manifests in the back. Additionally, an excessive Autumn pulse causes rebellious Qi and dull back pain. Cough, asthma, rebellious Qi, shoulder and back pain, and sweating are also mentioned. Li Dongyuan states: Shoulder and back pain, wind-cold with sweating, stroke, frequent but scanty urination result from wind-heat attacking the Lung, causing severe Qi stagnation; this should be treated with Tongqi Fangfeng Tang). It is additionally associated with the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian (Ling Shu states: Heart pain radiating to the back with dyspnea should be treated by needling the Foot-Shaoyin meridian. Su Wen states: Pathogens in the Kidney cause shoulder and back pain; treat by selecting Yongquan [KI1] and Kunlun [BL60], and bleeding any visible stasis. Li Dongyuan states: When Kidney Qi fails to follow its normal pathway and rebels upward along the spine, causing shoulder and back pain, Heqi Yin is appropriate, added with half a qian of salt-fried Fennel Fruit [Xiao Huixiang] and ten grains of Sichuan Pepper [Chuanjiao]). It is also connected to the Chong Mai [Penetrating Vessel] (Ling Shu states: The Chong Mai originates in the uterus, runs up along the interior of the back, and is known as the Sea of the Twelve Meridians). It generally encompasses the Five Zang Organs (Ling Shu states: The Shu points of the Five Zang organs emerge from the back. The major Shu point for the chest is at the end of the vertebral processes. Feishu [BL13] is between the third and fourth thoracic vertebrae, Xinshu [BL15] between the fifth and sixth, Geshu [BL17] between the seventh and eighth, Ganshu [BL18] between the ninth and tenth, Pishu [BL20] between the eleventh and twelfth, and Shenshu [BL23] between the fourteenth and fifteenth. These are located three cun lateral to the spine. To verify the correct location, press the area; if pain is relieved upon pressure, that is the correct point. Moxibustion is permissible, but needling is contraindicated. Emperor Taizong of Tang stated: I have read the Mingtang acupuncture texts, which state that the connections of the five Zang organs attach to the back; therefore, from now on, prisoners shall not be flogged on the back. The character "Zhui" [Vertebra] was formerly written as "", used interchangeably in ancient times).