EXT-21 - Four Blossoms

四花 - Sì huā

Point Region: Upper back

EXT

Extra Points

其他穴位 - Qítā Xuéwèi

Location & How to Find

Anatomical Location: On the back, forming a rectangular cluster across the thoracic spine, lateral to the midline.

Extra points have no international location standard, and Chinese texts number and place some of them differently. This location follows common teaching.

How to Locate:

  1. Locate points at the level of the shoulder blades
  2. Find two points on each side of the spine at mid-back level
  3. These form a rectangular pattern across the upper back
  4. These four points are EXT-21
(Illustration coming soon)

How to Apply Pressure

Because EXT-21 is a set of four points around the mid-back, use light fingertip pressure on each in turn rather than pressing onto the spine. Skip it after a thoracic spine injury or recent back surgery, and check with your doctor if poor appetite, dizziness, or fatigue has an unclear cause.

Traditional Indications

In TCM, this point is traditionally used for:

  • Fatigue
  • Poor appetite
  • Chronic illness
  • Digestive weakness
  • General debility
  • Poor circulation

Related Health Concerns

Fatigue

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

Important Precautions

Avoid this point with:

  • Thoracic spine injury
  • Severe back pain
  • Recent back surgery

Take care:

  • Avoid excessive pressure on spine
  • Be gentle with weakened patients
  • Use lighter pressure for elderly