BL20 (Pí Shū, “Spleen Shu”) is the Back-Shu of the Spleen point of the Bladder Meridian. It is located on the back, 1.5 cun lateral to the midline, below the spinous process of the eleventh thoracic vertebra (T11). It tonifies the Spleen and Stomach, resolves dampness, regulates the middle jiao, nourishes the blood, and harmonizes Qi and Blood.
On the back, 1.5 cun lateral to the midline, below the spinous process of the eleventh thoracic vertebra (T11).
Oblique insertion towards the spine, 0.5 to 1.0 cun. Perpendicular insertion is also used, but care must be taken to avoid puncturing the lung, especially in thin patients.
Tonifies the Spleen and Stomach, resolves dampness, regulates the middle jiao, nourishes the blood, and harmonizes Qi and Blood..
Jaundice, frequent yawning, poor appetite, fullness under the ribs, desire to vomit, body heaviness, disinclination to move, lassitude of the four limbs, accumulations of evil qi, abdominal pain, alternating fever and chills, abdominal distention, diarrhea, undigested food in stool, emaciation despite eating, abdominal masses (pi ji), accumulation and gathering, phlegm-malaria with cold and heat, edema, bloating with pain radiating to the spine, spleen cold, spleen distention, tetanus with fever, wasting and thirst (xiao ke),consumptive disease with hematuria and seminal emission, feeling of sadness in the heart, body swelling, urinary retention or difficult urination, coldness in the four limbs, indigestion, muscle wasting in children..
As the Back-Shu point of the Spleen, Pishu is the primary point for treating any Spleen-related disorder, whether deficient or excess. The classical texts emphasize its role in treating digestive issues like poor appetite, abdominal distention, and diarrhea, as well as its crucial function in resolving dampness, evidenced by its use for jaundice, edema, and body heaviness. Its application extends to conditions of malnourishment, such as emaciation and consumptive disease, highlighting its fundamental role in regulating post-natal Qi and Blood.
BL20 is one of 67 points on the Bladder Meridian. Nearby points:
BL20 (Pí Shū) is located on the back, 1.5 cun lateral to the midline, below the spinous process of the eleventh thoracic vertebra (T11).
BL20 tonifies the Spleen and Stomach, resolves dampness, regulates the middle jiao, nourishes the blood, and harmonizes Qi and Blood. Common clinical indications include jaundice, frequent yawning, poor appetite, fullness under the ribs, desire to vomit, body heaviness, disinclination to move, lassitude of the four limbs, accumulations of evil qi, abdominal pain, alternating fever and chills, abdominal distention, diarrhea, undigested food in stool, emaciation despite eating, abdominal masses (pi ji), accumulation and gathering, phlegm-malaria with cold and heat, edema, bloating with pain radiating to the spine, spleen cold, spleen distention, tetanus with fever, wasting and thirst (xiao ke),consumptive disease with hematuria and seminal emission, feeling of sadness in the heart, body swelling, urinary retention or difficult urination, coldness in the four limbs, indigestion, muscle wasting in children.
Oblique insertion towards the spine, 0.5 to 1.0 cun. Perpendicular insertion is also used, but care must be taken to avoid puncturing the lung, especially in thin patients. Caution: Overlies the thoracic cavity — risk of PNEUMOTHORAX. Needle obliquely or transversely, never deeply or perpendicularly toward the chest wall. The Su Wen states that needling too deeply and piercing the Spleen can cause death in ten days.
BL20 is a point on the Bladder Meridian (Zú Tài Yáng Páng Guāng Jīng).