BL-11 - Great Shuttle

大杼 - Dà zhù

Point Region: Upper back

BL

Bladder Meridian

足太阳膀胱经 - Zú Tàiyáng Pángguāng Jīng

Location & How to Find

Anatomical Location: On the upper back, level with the lower edge of the spinous process of the first thoracic vertebra (T1), 1.5 cun out from the midline.

Distances are in cun, a unit that scales with each person's body. As a guide, the width of your thumb at its joint is 1 cun, and your four fingers held together, measured across the middle joints, are 3 cun.

How to Locate:

  1. Find C7, the most prominent bump at the base of the neck (it moves when you turn your head), then count one bump down to T1
  2. Go to the level just below the bump of T1
  3. The point is two finger-widths out from the midline (halfway between the spine and the inner edge of the shoulder blade)
BL-11 (Great Shuttle) acupressure point location: On the upper back, level with the lower edge of the spinous process of the first thoracic vertebra (T1), 1.5 cun out from the midline.

How to Apply Pressure

Using a fingertip, apply gentle, steady pressure in the groove just below the bump of the first spinal bone below the most prominent bump at the base of your neck (T1), two finger-widths out from the midline. Firm but never painful pressure is enough; stop if it hurts. If you cannot reach the spot comfortably, skip it rather than strain, and skip this point over irritated or broken skin.

Traditional Indications

In TCM, this point is traditionally used for:

  • Cough
  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Stiff neck
  • Shoulder blade pain
  • Bone disorders
  • Upper respiratory infections

Related Health Concerns

Cold and Flu OnsetHeadacheNeck and Shoulder PainFatigue

Select a point to see its location, how to find it, and its traditional uses.