BL-10 - Celestial Pillar

天柱 - Tiān zhù

Point Region: Head

BL

Bladder Meridian

足太阳膀胱经 - Zú Tàiyáng Pángguāng Jīng

BL-10 Tianzhu, meaning 'Celestial Pillar,' is one of the most vital points on the Bladder channel, acting as a direct support system for the head and spirit. Located at the back of the neck, it is the 'pillar' that holds up our head, both physically and energetically. This point is a gateway between the body and the sky, helping to regulate the flow of energy and blood to the brain.

Think of Tianzhu as the foundation of your mental and physical posture. It's the go-to point for releasing neck stiffness, relieving headaches, and calming an overactive mind. By strengthening this 'Celestial Pillar,' we can restore our sense of balance, clarity, and inner strength.

In traditional practice, BL-10 is used to clear a wide range of symptoms, from dizziness and insomnia to mental fog and lack of focus. Its ability to support the head and neck makes it a cornerstone for anyone looking to alleviate the pressures of modern life.

Location & How to Find

Anatomical Location: 1.3 cun lateral to the midline, in the depression on the lateral aspect of the trapezius muscle, on the level of the upper border of the spinous process of C2.

How to Locate:

  1. Sit up straight and tilt your head slightly forward
  2. Feel the thick neck muscles on either side of your spine
  3. Find the depression just beside these muscles, about one finger-width from the center
  4. This tender spot at the base of your skull is BL-10
Location illustration for 1.3 cun lateral to the midline, in the depression on the lateral aspect of the trapezius muscle, on the level of the upper border of the spinous process of C2.

Primary Functions

Musculoskeletal System

  • Relieves neck stiffness and pain
  • Treats cervical spine disorders
  • Reduces muscle tension in shoulders

Nervous System

  • Alleviates headaches and migraines
  • Treats dizziness and vertigo
  • Improves mental clarity

Respiratory System

  • Clears nasal congestion
  • Treats respiratory disorders

Clinical Applications

Primary Indications

  • Stiff neck
  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Nasal congestion with tearing
  • Shoulder pain
  • Visual disturbances
  • Neck pain

Related Health Concerns

Common Conditions:

Car SicknessHeadacheHeadache - OccipitalHeadache - TensionNeck/Shoulder Pain

Select a point to learn about its location, primary functions, clinical applications, and protocols.

Combined Applications:

BL-10 + GB-20
Amplifies relief for occipital headaches, neck stiffness, and wind-cold invasion
BL-10 + GV-16
Calms the spirit and clears the brain in cases of dizziness, foggy thinking, or insomnia

BL-10 Protocols

Neck Tension & Mental Clarity (4 minutes)

  1. Sit upright or lie down with head supported
  2. Locate BL-10 (1.3 cun lateral to GV-15, at the base of the skull)
  3. Apply gentle circular massage with fingertips for 1 minute on each side
  4. Hold steady pressure for 30 seconds to calm the mind and release neck tension
  5. Finish with slow neck rolls and deep breathing

Important Precautions

  • Excessive force due to proximity to vertebral artery
  • Avoid in severe cervical instability