BL52 (Zhishi, “Zhishi”) is an acupuncture point on the Bladder Meridian. It is located on the lower back, 3 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the second lumbar vertebra (L2), level with the Kidney Shu point (BL23) and the Du Mai point Ming Men (DU4). It strengthens the Kidneys and fortifies the lumbar region, regulates urination, dispels dampness, and resolves hardness and stagnation in the abdomen.
On the lower back, 3 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the second lumbar vertebra (L2), level with the Kidney Shu point (BL23) and the Du Mai point Ming Men (DU4).
Perpendicular or slightly oblique insertion, 1.0 to 1.5 cun. Deep needling carries a risk of injuring the kidney, so caution is advised, especially on thin patients.
Strengthens the Kidneys and fortifies the lumbar region, regulates urination, dispels dampness, and resolves hardness and stagnation in the abdomen.
Abdominal hardness and tension, back pain with inability to bend forward or backward, genital swelling, genital pain, urinary dripping or incontinence, dream-emission, seminal loss, lumbar spinal stiffness, difficulty with forward and backward bending, indigestion, vomiting, reversal cold, sharp pain in the hypochondria, choleraic disorders, lumbar pain with spinal rigidity, urinary-syndrome.
As the outer point of the Kidney Shu, Zhishi strongly tonifies Kidney Qi and Yang, making it a primary point for chronic lower back pain, weakness, and stiffness, especially when associated with Kidney deficiency. It is also used for disorders of the genitourinary system, such as impotence, seminal emission, and difficult urination, reflecting its close relationship with the Kidney organ. Its ability to treat abdominal hardness suggests a function in resolving stagnation and accumulation in the lower jiao.
Classical text; the translation was prepared with AI and is not clinical advice.
《針灸甲乙經》 Zhēnjiǔ Jiǎyǐ Jīng — Systematic Classic of Acupuncture & Moxibustion, c. 256–282 · 卷09 · Source: Wikisource ↗
先脅中滿，少腹堅急，志室主之The text records that BL52 was used when fullness first arises in the flanks, with hardness and tension of the lower abdomen.
《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 ↗
志室二穴，在第十四椎下兩旁，相去各三寸陷中，足太陽脈氣所發。 針入五分，可灸三壯It is located in the depression on both sides below the fourteenth vertebra, 3 cun from the midline, according to this text, where the foot taiyang qi emerges; BL52 is needled 5 fen with up to 3 moxa cones.
《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 ↗
志室二穴，主腰背強痛，飲食不消，腹中堅急，陰痛下腫，遺精，小便淋瀝，吐逆霍亂The text records that BL52 was used for stiff painful lower back, undigested food, hardness and tension in the abdomen, genital pain and swelling, seminal emission, dribbling urination, and vomiting in sudden turmoil (huoluan).
《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 ↗
志室 二穴，在第十四椎下兩旁各三寸半陷者中，正坐微俯而取之，灸七壯。 主腰痛脊急，兩脅脹滿，大便難，食飲不下，背氣俯仰不得也The text records that BL52, in the depression 3.5 cun on each side below the fourteenth vertebra, found sitting and leaning slightly forward, was moxibusted with 7 cones for low back pain with tight spine, distension of both flanks, difficult defecation, inability to get food down, and back qi preventing bending.
BL52 is one of 67 points on the Bladder Meridian. Nearby points:
BL52 (Zhishi) is located on the lower back, 3 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the second lumbar vertebra (L2), level with the Kidney Shu point (BL23) and the Du Mai point Ming Men (DU4).
BL52 strengthens the Kidneys and fortifies the lumbar region, regulates urination, dispels dampness, and resolves hardness and stagnation in the abdomen. Common clinical indications include abdominal hardness and tension, back pain with inability to bend forward or backward, genital swelling, genital pain, urinary dripping or incontinence, dream-emission, seminal loss, lumbar spinal stiffness, difficulty with forward and backward bending, indigestion, vomiting, reversal cold, sharp pain in the hypochondria, choleraic disorders, lumbar pain with spinal rigidity, urinary-syndrome.
Perpendicular or slightly oblique insertion, 1.0 to 1.5 cun. Deep needling carries a risk of injuring the kidney, so caution is advised, especially on thin patients.
BL52 is a point on the Bladder Meridian (Zú Tài Yáng Páng Guāng Jīng).