BL18 (Gān Shū, “Gān Shū translates to "Liver Shu”) is the Back-Shu point of the Bladder Meridian. It is located on the back, 1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the ninth thoracic vertebra (T9). It regulates and spreads Liver Qi, nourishes Liver Blood and Yin, clears Liver and Gallbladder Damp-Heat, subdues internal Wind, benefits the eyes, and relaxes the sinews.
On the back, 1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the ninth thoracic vertebra (T9).
Insert obliquely toward the spine, 0.5 to 1.0 cun. Deep perpendicular or oblique lateral insertion carries a risk of pneumothorax.
Regulates and spreads Liver Qi, nourishes Liver Blood and Yin, clears Liver and Gallbladder Damp-Heat, subdues internal Wind, benefits the eyes, and relaxes the sinews..
Jaundice, nosebleed, post-febrile disease eye dimness, tearing, eye dizziness, shortness of breath, coughing up blood, upward-staring eyes, cough, dry mouth, cold hernia, cold and heat in the sinews, spasm, body reversal, headache, eyebrow pain, mania, epilepsy, rising up with blurry vision, white eye film, cough causing chest pain, cold hernia with lower abdominal pain, spitting blood, shortness of breath, Liver wind with inability to lower the head, bluish complexion around the eyes and forehead, abdominal accumulations and masses with pain, shoulder pain, muscle spasms with alternating cold and heat, muscle contractions pulling the hands, muscle contractions entering the abdomen, concurrent Taiyang and Shaoyang disease with headache, stiff neck, dizziness, and hardness below the heart, epilepsy, muscle pain with spasms and pulling, cough with fullness and tightness in the ribs, inability to breathe or turn side to side, rib and navel pain, muscle tightness and pain, upward-staring eyes, dizziness, blurry vision, shoulder and neck pain, fright and mania, stuffy nose, cough causing chest pain with cold and heat in the sinews, spitting blood, shortness of breath, sour nose, half-body paralysis, mental confusion, fainting, mania, seizures, sadness and weeping, chest fullness, vomiting, inability to eat, red skin eruptions, seminal emission, turbid urine, forgetfulness, insufficient heart qi in children leading to inability to speak for years, body reversal, liver wind with abdominal distention, poor digestion, vomiting blood, emaciation, aversion to eating, dark complexion, chronic cough, turbid red urine, bone cold and heat, difficulty urinating, yellow horse jaundice, all types of poison, heart wind with abdominal fullness, indigestion, acid reflux, weak limbs, eye dizziness, shoulder and subcostal pain, lower abdominal tension, eye diseases..
As the Back-Shu point of the Liver, BL18 is a fundamental point for treating any disharmony related to the Liver organ system. It is used for conditions of excess, such as Liver Qi stagnation causing pain and irritability, and for deficiency, such as Liver Blood or Yin deficiency leading to eye problems and muscle spasms. Its classical indications cover a wide range, from psycho-emotional disorders like mania and epilepsy to digestive issues, eye diseases, and musculoskeletal problems, reflecting the Liver's broad sphere of influence.
BL18 is one of 67 points on the Bladder Meridian. Nearby points:
BL18 (Gān Shū) is located on the back, 1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the ninth thoracic vertebra (T9).
BL18 regulates and spreads Liver Qi, nourishes Liver Blood and Yin, clears Liver and Gallbladder Damp-Heat, subdues internal Wind, benefits the eyes, and relaxes the sinews. Common clinical indications include jaundice, nosebleed, post-febrile disease eye dimness, tearing, eye dizziness, shortness of breath, coughing up blood, upward-staring eyes, cough, dry mouth, cold hernia, cold and heat in the sinews, spasm, body reversal, headache, eyebrow pain, mania, epilepsy, rising up with blurry vision, white eye film, cough causing chest pain, cold hernia with lower abdominal pain, spitting blood, shortness of breath, Liver wind with inability to lower the head, bluish complexion around the eyes and forehead, abdominal accumulations and masses with pain, shoulder pain, muscle spasms with alternating cold and heat, muscle contractions pulling the hands, muscle contractions entering the abdomen, concurrent Taiyang and Shaoyang disease with headache, stiff neck, dizziness, and hardness below the heart, epilepsy, muscle pain with spasms and pulling, cough with fullness and tightness in the ribs, inability to breathe or turn side to side, rib and navel pain, muscle tightness and pain, upward-staring eyes, dizziness, blurry vision, shoulder and neck pain, fright and mania, stuffy nose, cough causing chest pain with cold and heat in the sinews, spitting blood, shortness of breath, sour nose, half-body paralysis, mental confusion, fainting, mania, seizures, sadness and weeping, chest fullness, vomiting, inability to eat, red skin eruptions, seminal emission, turbid urine, forgetfulness, insufficient heart qi in children leading to inability to speak for years, body reversal, liver wind with abdominal distention, poor digestion, vomiting blood, emaciation, aversion to eating, dark complexion, chronic cough, turbid red urine, bone cold and heat, difficulty urinating, yellow horse jaundice, all types of poison, heart wind with abdominal fullness, indigestion, acid reflux, weak limbs, eye dizziness, shoulder and subcostal pain, lower abdominal tension, eye diseases.
Insert obliquely toward the spine, 0.5 to 1.0 cun. Deep perpendicular or oblique 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 Su Wen, as quoted in the Zi Sheng Jing, warns: "Puncturing into the Liver, death in five days." This highlights the classical awareness of the danger of needling too deeply at this location.
BL18 is a point on the Bladder Meridian (Zú Tài Yáng Páng Guāng Jīng).