BL17 (Gé Shū, “Diaphragm Shu”) is the Back-Shu Point point of the Bladder Meridian. It is located on the back, below the spinous process of the seventh thoracic vertebra (T7), 1.5 cun lateral to the posterior midline. It invigorates Blood and dispels stasis, cools the Blood, nourishes the Blood, expands the chest, descends rebellious Qi from the Stomach and Lungs, and harmonizes the diaphragm.
On the back, below the spinous process of the seventh thoracic vertebra (T7), 1.5 cun lateral to the posterior midline.
Oblique insertion medially, 0.5 to 1.0 cun. Deep perpendicular or oblique lateral insertion carries a substantial risk of causing a pneumothorax.
Invigorates Blood and dispels stasis, cools the Blood, nourishes the Blood, expands the chest, descends rebellious Qi from the Stomach and Lungs, and harmonizes the diaphragm..
Epilepsy, madness, mania, heart pain like being stabbed with a needle or knife, heart pain with gas (qi stagnation), chest and abdominal fullness, abdominal distention, accumulation and gathering in the chest and abdomen,focal distention and pain, inability to eat, vomiting, vomiting after eating, today's food is vomited tomorrow, retching, dry retching, hiccups, rebellious qi, cough, asthma, difficult breathing, sighing, sadness, fright, poor memory, aversion to wind and cold, body heat, sweating, bleeding from the mouth or nose, spitting blood, vomiting blood, blood in the stool, nosebleed, wasting and thirst, consumptive diseases (five taxations and seven injuries), bone steaming fever, tidal fever, night sweats, weakness, emaciation, dizziness, head feels heavy, neck pain, item looks as if it is being pulled out, eye looks upwards, mania with desire to commit suicide, seeing ghosts, sudden wind-stroke, loss of speech, paralysis, stiffness of the spine, aversion to speaking..
As the Hui-Meeting point of Blood, Gé Shū is the paramount point for treating any disorder related to blood, including stasis, deficiency, or heat. Its location on the back at the level of the diaphragm makes it exceptionally effective for harmonizing the middle and upper jiao, treating rebellious Qi manifesting as vomiting, hiccups, or asthma. The classical emphasis on heavy moxibustion for chronic, deficient, and cold conditions highlights its tonifying and warming properties, particularly for consumptive diseases and digestive weakness.
BL17 is one of 67 points on the Bladder Meridian. Nearby points:
BL17 (Gé Shū) is located on the back, below the spinous process of the seventh thoracic vertebra (T7), 1.5 cun lateral to the posterior midline.
BL17 invigorates Blood and dispels stasis, cools the Blood, nourishes the Blood, expands the chest, descends rebellious Qi from the Stomach and Lungs, and harmonizes the diaphragm. Common clinical indications include epilepsy, madness, mania, heart pain like being stabbed with a needle or knife, heart pain with gas (qi stagnation), chest and abdominal fullness, abdominal distention, accumulation and gathering in the chest and abdomen,focal distention and pain, inability to eat, vomiting, vomiting after eating, today's food is vomited tomorrow, retching, dry retching, hiccups, rebellious qi, cough, asthma, difficult breathing, sighing, sadness, fright, poor memory, aversion to wind and cold, body heat, sweating, bleeding from the mouth or nose, spitting blood, vomiting blood, blood in the stool, nosebleed, wasting and thirst, consumptive diseases (five taxations and seven injuries), bone steaming fever, tidal fever, night sweats, weakness, emaciation, dizziness, head feels heavy, neck pain, item looks as if it is being pulled out, eye looks upwards, mania with desire to commit suicide, seeing ghosts, sudden wind-stroke, loss of speech, paralysis, stiffness of the spine, aversion to speaking.
Oblique insertion medially, 0.5 to 1.0 cun. Deep perpendicular or oblique lateral insertion carries a substantial risk of causing a pneumothorax. Caution: Overlies the thoracic cavity — risk of PNEUMOTHORAX. Needle obliquely or transversely, never deeply or perpendicularly toward the chest wall.
BL17 is a point on the Bladder Meridian (Zú Tài Yáng Páng Guāng Jīng).