BL19 (Dǎn Shū, “Gallbladder Shu”) is the Back-Shu point 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 tenth thoracic vertebra (T10). The point is located while the person is sitting upright. It clears Damp-Heat from the Liver and Gallbladder, harmonizes the Middle Jiao, subdues rebellious Qi, resolves phlegm, and soothes the sinews.
On the back, 1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the tenth thoracic vertebra (T10). The point is located while the person is sitting upright.
Perpendicular-oblique insertion towards the spine, 0.5 to 1.0 cun. Deep insertion carries a risk of pneumothorax.
Clears Damp-Heat from the Liver and Gallbladder, harmonizes the Middle Jiao, subdues rebellious Qi, resolves phlegm, and soothes the sinews.
Chest and hypochondriac fullness and pain, inability to turn the body, inability to lie down due to flank pain, abdominal distension, bitter taste in the mouth, dry tongue, throat pain, vomiting, dry heaving where nothing is expelled, inability to eat, phlegm stuffiness, bone-steaming consumptive heat, jaundice, mouth and tongue dryness.
As the Back-Shu point of the Gallbladder, BL19 is a primary point for treating Gallbladder organ patterns, especially those involving Damp-Heat. It is frequently used for jaundice, bitter taste, and hypochondriac pain. Its ability to address vomiting and digestive issues reflects the Gallbladder's role in assisting the Stomach's descending function. It is also a key point in the 'Four Flower' (Si Hua) combination with BL17 for treating consumptive disorders like tuberculosis, which were characterized by 'bone-steaming' fever.
Classical text; the translation was prepared with AI and is not clinical advice.
《針灸逢源》 Zhēnjiǔ Féngyuán — Sources of Acupuncture & Moxibustion, Li Xuechuan, 1815 · 卷四 · 經穴考正 · 足太陽膀胱經穴考 · Source: jicheng.tw ↗
膽腧 在十椎下兩旁。 開脊中二寸。 （針三分灸三壯止二七壯○刺中膽一日半死其動為嘔）治口苦咽乾According to this text, BL19 lies on both sides below the tenth vertebra, 2 cun from the spine's centre; needle 3 fen, moxa 3 up to 14 cones. It warns that piercing the gallbladder leads to death in a day and a half, the sign being vomiting, and records use for a bitter taste in the mouth and dry throat.
《鍼灸聚英》 Zhēnjiǔ Jùyīng — Gathering of Eminent Acupuncturists, Gao Wu, 1529 · Source: Wikisource ↗
膽俞 十椎下。 兩旁相去脊中各一寸五分。 正坐取之It is located below the tenth vertebra, 1.5 cun on each side of the spine's centre, according to this text, and BL19 is located with the patient sitting upright.
《黃帝明堂灸經》 Huángdì Míngtáng Jiǔjīng — The Yellow Emperor's Bright Hall Moxibustion Classic, Tang · 卷中 · 揹人形第三 · Source: jicheng.tw ↗
膽俞 二穴，在第十椎下兩旁各一寸半，正坐取之陷者中，灸五壯。 主胸脅支滿，嘔無所出，舌乾飲食不下The text records that BL19, 1.5 cun on each side below the tenth vertebra in a depression found sitting upright, was moxibusted with 5 cones for propping fullness of chest and flanks, retching without bringing anything up, dry tongue and inability to take food and drink.
《醫宗金鑑·刺灸心法要訣》 Yīzōng Jīnjiàn · Cìjiǔ Xīnfǎ Yàojué — Golden Mirror of Medicine: Essential Teachings on Acupuncture & Moxibustion, Wu Qian et al., 1742 · 卷七 · 背部主病針灸要穴歌 · Source: jicheng.tw ↗
膽俞主灸脅滿嘔，驚悸臥睡不能安，兼灸酒疸目黃色，面發赤斑灸自痊The verse records that moxibustion at BL19 was used for fullness of the flanks with vomiting, fright palpitations and restless sleep, and also for alcohol jaundice with yellow eyes and red facial spots, which it says would subside with moxa.
BL19 is one of 67 points on the Bladder Meridian. Nearby points:
BL19 (Dǎn Shū) is located on the back, 1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the tenth thoracic vertebra (T10). The point is located while the person is sitting upright.
BL19 clears Damp-Heat from the Liver and Gallbladder, harmonizes the Middle Jiao, subdues rebellious Qi, resolves phlegm, and soothes the sinews. Common clinical indications include chest and hypochondriac fullness and pain, inability to turn the body, inability to lie down due to flank pain, abdominal distension, bitter taste in the mouth, dry tongue, throat pain, vomiting, dry heaving where nothing is expelled, inability to eat, phlegm stuffiness, bone-steaming consumptive heat, jaundice, mouth and tongue dryness.
Perpendicular-oblique insertion towards the spine, 0.5 to 1.0 cun. Deep 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 cited in the Zi Sheng Jing, warns: 'Puncturing the Gallbladder causes death in one and a half days.' This highlights the risk of deep needling in this area.
BL19 is a point on the Bladder Meridian (Zú Tài Yáng Páng Guāng Jīng).