The location of the point Shangsiao is in the sacral region, between the posterior superior iliac spine and the posterior median line, directly opposite the 1st posterior sacral foramen. So the point is on a level with the posterior superior iliac spine.
Shangsiao is an acupoint on the foot-sun bladder meridian, and to take the point, one needs to be in a prone position; at the highest point of the iliac crest inwardly below the sacral angle, one can touch a high bony projection, which is the posterior superior iliac spine, and the projection of the iliac bone in the middle of the iliac bone that is flanked by the posterior superior iliac spine is the 1st sacral vertebrae; next to the 1st sacral vertebrae, one can touch the depression, and that is the acupoint.
The Shangsiao point can treat lumbosacral pain, dysuria (a disorder of urination and defecation), spermatorrhea, and impotence; it can also be used to treat gynecological disorders such as yin ting (a woman’s uterus prolapsing or even prolapsing out of the vaginal opening), reddish-white leucorrhoea (an abnormal white discharge with blood or blood clots), and menstrual irregularities.
Acupuncture of the Shangshen point requires a doctor’s operation, and moxibustion requires a doctor’s instruction.