BL7 (Tongtian, “Tongtian”) is an acupuncture point on the Bladder Meridian. It is located on the head, 4.0 cun superior to the anterior hairline and 1.5 cun lateral to the midline, on a line connecting BL4 Qucha and BL8 Luoque. This places it 1.5 cun posterior to BL6 Chengguang. It dispels wind and clears the head, opens the nasal passages, alleviates pain, and calms the spirit.
On the head, 4.0 cun superior to the anterior hairline and 1.5 cun lateral to the midline, on a line connecting BL4 Qucha and BL8 Luoque. This places it 1.5 cun posterior to BL6 Chengguang.
Transverse (subcutaneous) insertion, 0.5 to 1.0 cun, often directed posteriorly or anteriorly along the scalp.
Dispels wind and clears the head, opens the nasal passages, alleviates pain, and calms the spirit.
Pain and heaviness of the head and neck, sudden collapse with stiffness, nasal obstruction, nosebleed, nasal sores, excessive clear nasal discharge, shortness of breath, dizziness, goiter, facial deviation, corpse-like collapse, head heaviness.
As its name 'Reaching Heaven' suggests, Tongtian is a primary point for disorders of the head, especially the nose. It is classically indicated for all manner of nasal problems, including obstruction, discharge, and bleeding, making it a key point for rhinitis, sinusitis, and epistaxis. Its ability to clear the head also makes it useful for headaches, dizziness, and heaviness of the head, particularly when associated with wind-pathogens or sinus congestion.
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 · 卷之一·神照集 · 足太陽膀胱經圖穴十四 · 足太陽膀胱經所發六十三穴 · Source: jicheng.tw ↗
通天二穴，一名天臼。 在承光後一寸五分，夾督脈兩旁亦各一寸五分。 《針經》刺入三分，留七呼，灸三壯According to this text, BL7 (also called Tianjiu) lies 1.5 cun behind BL6 and 1.5 cun to each side of the governor vessel; the Zhenjing gives needling of 0.3 cun retained for seven breaths, and 3 moxa cones.
《神灸經綸》 Shénjiǔ Jīnglún — Principles of Divine Moxibustion, Wu Yiding, 1851 · 卷之三 · 首部症治 · Source: jicheng.tw ↗
通天（左鼻灸右右鼻灸左左右病俱灸灸後當去一塊形如朽骨其痹自愈灸炷如小麥大七壯）The text records moxibustion at BL7 with 7 cones the size of a wheat grain: for the left nostril on the right side, for the right on the left, both sides for both; it says that afterwards a lump like rotten bone comes out and the blockage resolves of itself.
《針灸甲乙經》 Zhēnjiǔ Jiǎyǐ Jīng — Systematic Classic of Acupuncture & Moxibustion, c. 256–282 · 卷07 · Source: Wikisource ↗
頭項痛重，暫起僵仆，鼻窒鼽衄，喘息不得通，通天主之The text records that BL7 was used for heavy pain of the head and nape, falling down stiffly on suddenly rising, nasal blockage with nosebleed, and breathing obstructed.
BL7 is one of 67 points on the Bladder Meridian. Nearby points:
BL7 (Tongtian) is located on the head, 4.0 cun superior to the anterior hairline and 1.5 cun lateral to the midline, on a line connecting BL4 Qucha and BL8 Luoque. This places it 1.5 cun posterior to BL6 Chengguang.
BL7 dispels wind and clears the head, opens the nasal passages, alleviates pain, and calms the spirit. Common clinical indications include pain and heaviness of the head and neck, sudden collapse with stiffness, nasal obstruction, nosebleed, nasal sores, excessive clear nasal discharge, shortness of breath, dizziness, goiter, facial deviation, corpse-like collapse, head heaviness.
Transverse (subcutaneous) insertion, 0.5 to 1.0 cun, often directed posteriorly or anteriorly along the scalp.
BL7 is a point on the Bladder Meridian (Zú Tài Yáng Páng Guāng Jīng).