BL44 (Shentang, “Hall of the Spirit”) is an acupuncture point on the Bladder Meridian. It is located on the upper back, in a depression 3 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the fifth thoracic vertebra (T5), level with the Heart Shu (BL15). It calms the Spirit, unbinds the chest, relieves pain, and relaxes the sinews.
On the upper back, in a depression 3 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the fifth thoracic vertebra (T5), level with the Heart Shu (BL15).
Oblique insertion towards the spine, 0.5 to 1.0 cun. Deep perpendicular or medial oblique insertion carries a substantial risk of causing a pneumothorax.
Calms the Spirit, unbinds the chest, relieves pain, and relaxes the sinews.
Shoulder and back pain connecting to the chest, inability to bend forward or backward, shoulder pain, fullness of the chest and abdomen, shivering with alternating chills and fever, stiffness and rigidity of the spine and back, chest fullness, upward counterflow of qi, occasional esophageal constriction, back pain, cough, wheezing, asthma.
Shentang is located lateral to the Heart's Back-Shu point, and its name, 'Hall of the Spirit,' reflects its strong influence on the Shen. It is a key point for addressing emotional and psychological issues rooted in Heart disharmony, such as anxiety, insomnia, and palpitations, especially when accompanied by chest tightness or back pain. Locally, it is effective for stiffness and pain in the upper back, scapular region, and shoulders, particularly when movement is restricted.
Classical text; the translation was prepared with AI and is not clinical advice.
《針方六集》 Zhēnfāng Liùjí — Six Collections on Needling, Wu Kun, 1618 · 卷之五·紛署集 · 背自第二椎兩旁夾脊各三寸行至二十一椎下凡二十八穴第九 · Source: jicheng.tw ↗
神堂二穴，主多夢虛驚，狂走，肩脊強急，不可俯仰，胸腹滿，灑淅寒熱，氣逆上攻，時噎The text records that BL44 was used for excessive dreaming and fright from deficiency, manic running, stiff tight shoulders and spine preventing bending, fullness of chest and abdomen, shivering chills and fever, qi surging upward and occasional choking.
《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 ↗
神堂二穴，在第五椎下兩旁，相去各三寸，正坐取之，足太陽脈氣所發。 針入三分，可灸五壯It is located on both sides below the fifth vertebra, 3 cun from the midline, found sitting upright, according to this text, where the foot taiyang qi emerges; BL44 is needled 3 fen with up to 5 moxa cones.
《黃帝明堂灸經》 Huángdì Míngtáng Jiǔjīng — The Yellow Emperor's Bright Hall Moxibustion Classic, Tang · 卷中 · 揹人形第六 · Source: jicheng.tw ↗
神堂 二穴，在五椎下兩旁各三寸陷者中，正坐取之，灸三壯。 主肩背連胸痛不可俯仰，腰脊急強，逆氣上攻，時復噎也The text records that BL44, in the depression 3 cun on each side below the fifth vertebra, found sitting upright, was moxibusted with 3 cones for shoulder and back pain extending to the chest preventing bending, tight lumbar spine, counterflow qi surging upward and recurrent choking.
《類經圖翼》 Lèijīng Túyì — Illustrated Wings to the Classified Canon, Zhang Jiebin, 1624 · 卷七 · 經絡（五） · 足太陽膀胱經穴 · Source: jicheng.tw ↗
神堂 在五椎下，去脊中各三寸半陷中，正坐取之。 刺三分，灸五壯。 此穴主瀉五臟之熱，與諸臟俞同According to this text, BL44 lies in the depression 3.5 cun from the spine's centre below the fifth vertebra, found sitting upright; needle 3 fen, moxa 5 cones. It states that this point serves to drain heat from the five zang organs, like the organ shu points.
BL44 is one of 67 points on the Bladder Meridian. Nearby points:
BL44 (Shentang) is located on the upper back, in a depression 3 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the fifth thoracic vertebra (T5), level with the Heart Shu (BL15).
BL44 calms the Spirit, unbinds the chest, relieves pain, and relaxes the sinews. Common clinical indications include shoulder and back pain connecting to the chest, inability to bend forward or backward, shoulder pain, fullness of the chest and abdomen, shivering with alternating chills and fever, stiffness and rigidity of the spine and back, chest fullness, upward counterflow of qi, occasional esophageal constriction, back pain, cough, wheezing, asthma.
Oblique insertion towards the spine, 0.5 to 1.0 cun. Deep perpendicular or medial oblique insertion carries a substantial risk of causing a pneumothorax. Caution: The Zhen Jiu Ju Ying notes that the name 'Shentang' is also an alternate name for the Du Mai point Shangxing (DU23).
BL44 is a point on the Bladder Meridian (Zú Tài Yáng Páng Guāng Jīng).