BL-24 - Sea of Qi Shu
气海俞 - Qì hǎi shū
Point Region: Lower back
Location & How to Find
Anatomical Location: On the lower back, level with the lower edge of the spinous process of the third lumbar vertebra (L3), 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 L4, the spinal bump level with the highest points of the hip bones, then count one bump up to L3
- Go to the level just below the bump of L3
- The point is two finger-widths out from the midline
How to Apply Pressure
Using a fingertip, apply gentle, steady pressure in the groove just below the bump of the third lumbar spinal bone (one bump above the bump level with the highest points of your hip bones), 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:
- Lower back pain
- Painful menstruation
- Hemorrhoids
- Pelvic pain
Related Health Concerns
Related Acupoints
Select a point to see its location, how to find it, and its traditional uses.