BL-16 - Governor Shu
督俞 - Dū shū
Point Region: Upper back
Location & How to Find
Anatomical Location: On the upper back, level with the lower edge of the spinous process of the sixth thoracic vertebra (T6), 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:
- Find T7, the spinal bump level with the lower tips of the shoulder blades (standing, arms by your sides), then count one bump up to T6
- Go to the level just below the bump of T6
- The point is two finger-widths out from the midline (halfway between the spine and the inner edge of the shoulder blade)
How to Apply Pressure
Using a fingertip, apply gentle, steady pressure in the groove just below the bump of the sixth thoracic spinal bone (count one bump 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 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:
- Abdominal pain
- Fever with chills
- Spinal tension
- Intercostal neuralgia
Related Health Concerns
Related Acupoints
Select a point to see its location, how to find it, and its traditional uses.