BL-15 - Heart Shu

心俞 - Xīn shū

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 fifth thoracic vertebra (T5), 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 T7, the spinal bump level with the lower tips of the shoulder blades (standing, arms by your sides), then count two bumps up to T5
  2. Go to the level just below the bump of T5
  3. The point is two finger-widths out from the midline (halfway between the spine and the inner edge of the shoulder blade)
BL-15 (Heart Shu) acupressure point location: On the upper back, level with the lower edge of the spinous process of the fifth thoracic vertebra (T5), 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 fifth thoracic spinal bone (count two bumps up from the bump level with the lower tips of your shoulder blades), two finger-widths out from the midline. Firm but never painful pressure is enough; stop if it hurts. If you have a severe heart condition, check with your doctor before pressing this point. 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:

  • Palpitations
  • Anxiety
  • Insomnia
  • Memory loss
  • Emotional distress

Related Health Concerns

Panic AttackAnxietyInsomnia

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

Important Precautions

Avoid this point with:

  • Caution in severe heart conditions