BL13 (Fèi Shū, “Lung Transporter”) is the Back-Shu of the Lung point of the Bladder Meridian. It is located on the upper back, 1.5 cun lateral to the midline, at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the third thoracic vertebra (T3). One classical location method involves having the patient cross their arms to touch the opposite shoulder, with the point found under the tip of the middle finger. Another method involves measuring with a string from the nipple. It regulates and tonifies Lung Qi, descends rebellious Qi, clears heat from the Lung, resolves phlegm, and calms the spirit. It also treats conditions related to wind, heat, and toxicity.
On the upper back, 1.5 cun lateral to the midline, at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the third thoracic vertebra (T3). One classical location method involves having the patient cross their arms to touch the opposite shoulder, with the point found under the tip of the middle finger. Another method involves measuring with a string from the nipple.
Oblique insertion towards the spine, 0.5 to 1.0 cun. Deep perpendicular or overly lateral insertion carries a risk of pneumothorax.
Regulates and tonifies Lung Qi, descends rebellious Qi, clears heat from the Lung, resolves phlegm, and calms the spirit. It also treats conditions related to wind, heat, and toxicity.
Cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, chest fullness, difficult breathing when lying down, vomiting of foam, consumption (tuberculosis), steaming bone disorder, tidal fever, dry mouth and tongue, skin itching, jaundice, aversion to cold, back pain, back bent like a turtle, infantile kyphosis, madness, running amok, desire to commit suicide, weeping, epilepsy, tetanus with back arching, stiffness of the waist and spine, neck stiffness, headache, dizziness, stuffy nose, sweating, water retention after eating, all types of poisonings, head and neck stiffness and pain in Taiyang-Shaoyang combined patterns.
As the Back-Shu point of the Lung, Feishu is the primary point for treating any disorder of the Lung organ system, whether excess or deficient, hot or cold. It excels at treating cough, asthma, and chest fullness by regulating Lung Qi. Its classical indications for severe psychological disturbances like madness and suicidal ideation highlight its ability to treat the Po (Corporeal Soul) housed by the Lungs, making it useful for psycho-emotional conditions with a respiratory component.
Classical text; the translation was prepared with AI and is not clinical advice.
《諸病源候論》 Zhūbìng Yuánhòu Lùn — Treatise on the Origins and Symptoms of Diseases, Chao Yuanfang, 610 · 一、中风候 · Source: Wikisource ↗
肺中风，偃卧而胸满短气，冒闷汗出，视目下鼻上下两旁下行至口，色白者可治，急灸肺俞百壮The text records that in lung wind-stroke, with lying on the back, chest fullness, shortness of breath, oppression and sweating, if the colour around the eyes, nose and mouth is white the case was considered treatable and BL13 was promptly moxibusted with 100 cones.
《針灸大成》 Zhēnjiǔ Dàchéng — Great Compendium of Acupuncture & Moxibustion, 1601 · 卷八 · Source: Wikisource ↗
甲乙針三分，留七呼，得氣即泄， 甄權灸百壯，明堂灸三壯，素問刺中肺，三日死，其動為欬The text cites sources for BL13: the Jiayi Jing gives needling 3 fen, retained 7 breaths, draining once qi arrives; Zhen Quan gives 100 moxa cones, the Mingtang 3 cones; and it warns, after the Suwen, that piercing the lung leads to death in three days, the sign being cough.
《醫學綱目·刺灸》 Yīxué Gāngmù · Cìjiǔ — Outline of Medicine: Needling and Moxibustion, Lou Ying, 1565 · 卷之八·陰陽臟腑部 · 穴法下 · Source: jicheng.tw ↗
肺腧二穴，在第三椎下兩旁，相去各一寸五分，足太陽脈氣所發。 針入三分，留七呼，灸百壯It is located on both sides below the third vertebra, 1.5 cun from the midline, according to this text, where the foot taiyang qi emerges; needle 3 fen, retain 7 breaths, moxa up to 100 cones.
《傷寒論》 Shānghán Lùn — Treatise on Cold Damage, c. 200 CE · bian-tai-yang-mai-zheng-bing · Source: Wikisource ↗
太陽少陽併病，心下硬，頸項強而眩者，當刺大椎、肺俞、肝俞，慎勿下之The text records that in combined taiyang and shaoyang disease with hardness below the heart, stiff neck and dizziness, one should needle Dazhui, BL13 and Ganshu, and must not use purging.
BL13 is one of 67 points on the Bladder Meridian. Nearby points:
BL13 (Fèi Shū) is located on the upper back, 1.5 cun lateral to the midline, at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the third thoracic vertebra (T3). One classical location method involves having the patient cross their arms to touch the opposite shoulder, with the point found under the tip of the middle finger. Another method involves measuring with a string from the nipple.
BL13 regulates and tonifies Lung Qi, descends rebellious Qi, clears heat from the Lung, resolves phlegm, and calms the spirit. It also treats conditions related to wind, heat, and toxicity. Common clinical indications include cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, chest fullness, difficult breathing when lying down, vomiting of foam, consumption (tuberculosis), steaming bone disorder, tidal fever, dry mouth and tongue, skin itching, jaundice, aversion to cold, back pain, back bent like a turtle, infantile kyphosis, madness, running amok, desire to commit suicide, weeping, epilepsy, tetanus with back arching, stiffness of the waist and spine, neck stiffness, headache, dizziness, stuffy nose, sweating, water retention after eating, all types of poisonings, head and neck stiffness and pain in Taiyang-Shaoyang combined patterns.
Oblique insertion towards the spine, 0.5 to 1.0 cun. Deep perpendicular or overly lateral insertion carries a risk of pneumothorax. Caution: Overlies the thoracic cavity — risk of PNEUMOTHORAX. Needle obliquely or transversely, never deeply or perpendicularly toward the chest wall. The Suwen warns that puncturing the Lung can be fatal within three to five days. This classical warning underscores the anatomical risk of pneumothorax when needling this point.
BL13 is a point on the Bladder Meridian (Zú Tài Yáng Páng Guāng Jīng).