BL-21 - Stomach Shu

胃俞 - Wèi 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 12th thoracic vertebra (T12), 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 T12, the spinal bump level with the midpoint between the lower tip of the shoulder blade and the top of the hip bone
  2. Go to the level just below the bump of T12
  3. The point is two finger-widths out from the midline (halfway between the spine and the inner edge of the shoulder blade)
BL-21 (Stomach Shu) acupressure point location: On the upper back, level with the lower edge of the spinous process of the 12th thoracic vertebra (T12), 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 12th thoracic spinal bone (the bump level with the midpoint between the lower tip of your shoulder blade and the top of your hip bone), 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:

  • Stomach pain
  • Bloating
  • Vomiting
  • Poor appetite
  • Muscle wasting
  • Acid reflux

Related Health Concerns

BloatingHeartburnStomach CrampsNausea and Vomiting

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