BL10 Celestial Pillar

Reviewed by · Licensed Acupuncturist & TCM Physician · Last reviewed June 2026

BL10 (Tiān Zhù, “Celestial Pillar”) is the Window of Heaven point of the Bladder Meridian. It is located in the posterior neck, in the depression on the lateral border of the trapezius muscle, 1.3 cun lateral to the posterior midline, at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the second cervical vertebra (C2). It expels wind, clears the head and brain, soothes the sinews, alleviates pain, and benefits the eyes and nose.

Location

In the posterior neck, in the depression on the lateral border of the trapezius muscle, 1.3 cun lateral to the posterior midline, at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the second cervical vertebra (C2).

Needling

Perpendicular or slightly oblique insertion directed inferiorly and medially, 0.5 to 1.0 cun. Avoid deep or superiorly directed needling to prevent puncturing the spinal canal.

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TCM functions

Expels wind, clears the head and brain, soothes the sinews, alleviates pain, and benefits the eyes and nose..

Indications

Headache, head spinning, brain pain, feeling of heaviness in the head, sensation that the eyes are falling out, stiff neck, inability to turn the head, shoulder pain as if it will break, sudden convulsions and dizziness, inability of the feet to support the body, tearing, eye pain, redness of the inner canthus, nasal congestion, loss of sense of smell, epilepsy, infantile convulsions, weeping, crying out..

Window of Heaven

Clinical notes

Tianzhù is a primary point for relieving pain and stiffness in the posterior neck, occiput, and shoulders, making it essential for tension headaches and cervical spondylosis. As a 'Window of Heaven' point, it regulates the flow of Qi and blood to the head, addressing dizziness, vertigo, and sensory organ issues like eye pain and nasal congestion. Its ability to expel wind makes it effective for both exterior wind-cold invasions and internal wind patterns such as convulsions.

On the Bladder channel

BL10 is one of 67 points on the Bladder Meridian. Nearby points:

Frequently asked questions

Where is BL10 located?

BL10 (Tiān Zhù) is located in the posterior neck, in the depression on the lateral border of the trapezius muscle, 1.3 cun lateral to the posterior midline, at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the second cervical vertebra (C2).

What is BL10 used for?

BL10 expels wind, clears the head and brain, soothes the sinews, alleviates pain, and benefits the eyes and nose. Common clinical indications include headache, head spinning, brain pain, feeling of heaviness in the head, sensation that the eyes are falling out, stiff neck, inability to turn the head, shoulder pain as if it will break, sudden convulsions and dizziness, inability of the feet to support the body, tearing, eye pain, redness of the inner canthus, nasal congestion, loss of sense of smell, epilepsy, infantile convulsions, weeping, crying out.

How is BL10 needled?

Perpendicular or slightly oblique insertion directed inferiorly and medially, 0.5 to 1.0 cun. Avoid deep or superiorly directed needling to prevent puncturing the spinal canal. Caution: Close to the brainstem/spinal cord — never needle deeply or angle superomedially; direct the needle as standard (e.g. toward the opposite eye for GB20). Deep insertion can be fatal. The Huangdi Neijing (Ling Shu) states that for sudden convulsions and dizziness where the feet cannot support the body, one should needle Tianzhu. The modern caution is to avoid deep needling toward the spinal cord.

Which meridian is BL10 on?

BL10 is a point on the Bladder Meridian (Zú Tài Yáng Páng Guāng Jīng).

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⚠️ This page is for general education and is not medical advice. Acupuncture is a traditional practice; evidence varies by condition and study quality, and individual results differ. It does not replace diagnosis or treatment by a licensed professional. Always consult a qualified acupuncturist or physician.