BL-18 - Liver Shu

肝俞 - Gān 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 ninth thoracic vertebra (T9), 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 down to T9
  2. Go to the level just below the bump of T9
  3. The point is two finger-widths out from the midline (halfway between the spine and the inner edge of the shoulder blade)
BL-18 (Liver Shu) acupressure point location: On the upper back, level with the lower edge of the spinous process of the ninth thoracic vertebra (T9), 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 ninth thoracic spinal bone (count two bumps down 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:

  • Flank pain
  • Dizziness
  • Red eyes
  • Digestive issues
  • Chest fullness
  • Liver disorders
  • Emotional irritability

Related Health Concerns

High Blood PressureFeeling Faint

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