BL-12 - Wind Gate

风门 - Fēng mén

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 second thoracic vertebra (T2), 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 T3, the spinal bump on the line joining the inner ends of the bony ridges of the shoulder blades (standing, arms by your sides), then count one bump up to T2
  2. Go to the level just below the bump of T2
  3. The point is two finger-widths out from the midline (halfway between the spine and the inner edge of the shoulder blade)
BL-12 (Wind Gate) acupressure point location: On the upper back, level with the lower edge of the spinous process of the second thoracic vertebra (T2), 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 second thoracic spinal bone (count one bump up from the bump level with the inner ends of your shoulder blades), two finger-widths out from the midline. Firm but never painful pressure is enough; stop if it hurts. Do not use this point during a fever or other acute febrile illness. 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:

  • Cold and flu
  • Headache
  • Chest heat
  • Insomnia
  • Nausea
  • Stiff neck
  • Skin abscesses
  • Respiratory infections

Related Health Concerns

Cold and Flu OnsetHeadacheInsomniaNausea and VomitingNeck and Shoulder Pain

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

Important Precautions

Avoid this point with:

  • Avoid in acute febrile conditions