BL57 (Chengshan, “Support the Mountain”) is an acupuncture point on the Bladder Meridian. It is located on the posterior lower leg, in the depression formed below the two bellies of the gastrocnemius muscle when the muscle is tensed or the foot is plantarflexed. It is located in the division of the calf muscle, inferior to Chengjin (BL56). It relaxes the sinews and alleviates cramping, activates the channel and alleviates pain, treats hemorrhoids and constipation, regulates qi in the lower leg.
On the posterior lower leg, in the depression formed below the two bellies of the gastrocnemius muscle when the muscle is tensed or the foot is plantarflexed. It is located in the division of the calf muscle, inferior to Chengjin (BL56).
Perpendicular insertion, 1 to 2 cun deep.
Relaxes the sinews and alleviates cramping, activates the channel and alleviates pain, treats hemorrhoids and constipation, regulates qi in the lower leg.
Hemorrhoids, constipation, leg cramps, cholera with muscle spasms, shivering and inability to stand, beriberi, knee swelling, sore shins, heel pain, tense sinews with pain, beriberi with swelling below the knee, difficulty with sudden food intake, water retention in Taiyang disease, nosebleed, qi in the shins, lumbar pain, calf muscle tearing sensation.
Chengshan is a primary distal point for treating conditions of the lower back, legs, and anus. It is renowned for its immediate effect on acute lumbar sprain, sciatica, and especially calf cramps, often providing instant relief. Its classical application for hemorrhoids and constipation highlights its ability to influence the terminal section of the large intestine via the Bladder channel pathway.
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 · 卷之六·兼羅集 · 九般痔疾五十四 · Source: jicheng.tw ↗
承山，穴在腨腸下分肉間陷者中。 針入七分，可灸二七壯。 治疼痛便血臟毒，單瀉According to this text, BL57 lies in the hollow between the muscles below the belly of the calf; it records needling 0.7 cun, moxa up to 14 cones, and use for pain, bloody stools and 'visceral toxin', with draining technique only.
《扁鵲心書》 Biǎn Què Xīnshū — Bian Que's Heart Book, Dou Cai, 1146 · 卷上 · 扁鵲灸法 · Source: jicheng.tw ↗
承山二穴，在腿肚下，挺腳指取之。 治腳氣重，行步少力According to this text, BL57 lies below the belly of the calf and is located with the toes stretched; it records use for heavy jiaoqi (leg qi) with weakness in walking.
BL57 is one of 67 points on the Bladder Meridian. Nearby points:
BL57 (Chengshan) is located on the posterior lower leg, in the depression formed below the two bellies of the gastrocnemius muscle when the muscle is tensed or the foot is plantarflexed. It is located in the division of the calf muscle, inferior to Chengjin (BL56).
BL57 relaxes the sinews and alleviates cramping, activates the channel and alleviates pain, treats hemorrhoids and constipation, regulates qi in the lower leg. Common clinical indications include hemorrhoids, constipation, leg cramps, cholera with muscle spasms, shivering and inability to stand, beriberi, knee swelling, sore shins, heel pain, tense sinews with pain, beriberi with swelling below the knee, difficulty with sudden food intake, water retention in Taiyang disease, nosebleed, qi in the shins, lumbar pain, calf muscle tearing sensation.
Perpendicular insertion, 1 to 2 cun deep. Caution: The Huangdi Neijing warns that deep needling into the calf muscle (腨腸) can cause swelling.
BL57 is a point on the Bladder Meridian (Zú Tài Yáng Páng Guāng Jīng).