BL-25 - Large Intestine Shu

大肠俞 - Dà cháng shū

Point Region: Lower back

BL

Bladder Meridian

足太阳膀胱经 - Zú Tàiyáng Pángguāng Jīng

Location & How to Find

Anatomical Location: On the lower back, level with the lower edge of the spinous process of the fourth lumbar vertebra (L4), 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 L4, the spinal bump level with the highest points of the hip bones
  2. Go to the level just below the bump of L4
  3. The point is two finger-widths out from the midline
BL-25 (Large Intestine Shu) acupressure point location: On the lower back, level with the lower edge of the spinous process of the fourth lumbar vertebra (L4), 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 fourth lumbar spinal bone (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:

  • Diarrhea
  • Constipation
  • Abdominal bloating
  • Lumbar stiffness
  • Indigestion
  • Intestinal disorders

Related Health Concerns

Lower Back PainConstipationBloating

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