Translating "膏肓", acupuncture point BL-43
The reasoning for translating "膏肓" as "Heavy Breathing" from Chinese into English. This is the original name of acupuncture point BL-43 (Bladder 43).
Explanation of the point name
This point is about sustaining extra energy by heavy breathing, like when running fast.
The character 膏 means 'fat' or 'to enrich.' That would make the point name 'Fat Breathing,' which I'm taking to mean the same as the English 'heavy breathing.'
1st character
No other point names with this character.
2nd character
Meaning
This is usually translated with something like "vital region," which is supposed to be the space between the heart and the diaphragm. It is at the bottom center of the lungs. At this location, feelings about breathing can be felt, lik the movement of the breath, and feelings of suffocation or hyperventilation.
In fact, there is nothing wrong with simply translating 肓 with "breathing." All four points with this character in their name affect breathing.
Point names with 肓
For consistency in the translations, it is necessary to be aware of how the character is translated elsewhere. These are the point names it is in.
| BL-43 | 膏肓 | Heavy Breathing |
| BL-51 | 肓門 | Breathing Gate |
| BL-53 | 胞肓 | Womb Breathing |
| KI-16 | 肓兪 | Breathing Increase |
Nearby points
Sometimes the names of consecutive points on a meridian are related. Being aware of nearby points can help to translate consistently in such a situation.
| BL-40 | 委中 | Yield to Within |
| BL-41 | 附分 | Connecting the Segments |
| BL-42 | 魄戶 | Door to the Corporeal |
| BL-43 | 膏肓 | Heavy Breathing |
| BL-44 | 神堂 | Hall of Consciousness |
| BL-45 | 譩譆 | Cry |
| BL-46 | 膈關 | Diaphragm Barrier |