Danshu BL-19 location
BL-19

Danshu BL-19

Gallbladder Shu · 胆俞 · Dǎn Shū
Bladder Meridian

Safety Warnings

  • Dangerous point - requires extra caution
  • Deep needling contraindicated - shallow insertion only

Needle Depth

0.5–0.8 cun

Needle Angle

45° (Oblique)

Body Area

Back — Upper (Thoracic)

Location

1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the 10th thoracic vertebra (T10).

Previous on channel

Ganshu BL-18

Next on channel

Pishu BL-20

Main Actions

  • Resolves Damp-Heat from the Liver and Gall Bladder
  • Subdues Rebellious Stomach Qi
  • Tonifies Gall Bladder Qi
  • Regulates the Lessor Yang
  • Tonifies Deficiency

Commentary

Danshu BL-19 is a major point of the Bladder Channel with various functions. 

As the Back Transporting-Shu point of the Gall Bladder, it resolves Damp-Heat in the Gall Bladder and Liver. Therefore it is able to treat cholecystitis, yellow sclera, bitter taste and jaundice.

The Gall Bladder is a part of the Lesser Yang, thus BL-19 can expel Pernicious Factors from the Lesser Yang Stage of the Six Stage Theory or eliminate Gall Bladder Heat within the Four Levels Theory. It regulates the Lesser Yang and can be used for symptoms such as alternation of feeling of heat and cold, dry throat, blurred vision and hypochondrial distension. 

Furthermore, it tonifies the Gall Bladder Qi and has some calming effect. Patients with Gall Bladder Qi Deficiency tend to be timid, undecisive and depressed. 

Danshu BL-19 also subdues Rebellious Stomach Qi, characterized by symptoms such as vomiting, difficult swallowing, belching, nausea as well as pain and distension of the chest and hypochondrium. 

Finally, it has a powerful effect in tonifying general Deficiency, especially the Yin Deficiency. Typical symptoms are night sweating, fever, dry throat and the feeling of 'steaming bones'. 

Classical Sources

Zhenjiu Jiayijing (针灸甲乙经, Systematic Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion): First documented the point name and location, establishing Danshu as the Back-Shu point of the Gallbladder, 1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of the 10th thoracic vertebra.

Qianjin Yaofang (千金要方, Essential Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold): Indicates BL-19 for treating jaundice, bitter taste in the mouth, and hypochondriac pain related to Gallbladder disorders.

Zhenjiu Dacheng (针灸大成, Great Compendium of Acupuncture and Moxibustion): Lists indications including jaundice, vomiting, bitter taste, chest and hypochondriac pain, and pulmonary tuberculosis with tidal fever.

How to Locate

First locate the spinous process of the 7th cervical vertebra (C7), which is still palpable when the neck is being flexed and extended, while the 6th cervical vertebra (C6) starts to slide anteriorly and gradually disappears. The spinous process of the 10th thoracic vertebra (T10) is ten spinous process below C7. Or first locate the spinous process of T7, which is level with the inferior angle of the scapula, when the patient is seated with their arms hanging down. T10 is three thoracic vertebra below. Danshu BL-19 is 1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of T10. Yanggang BL-48 is at the same level but 3 cun lateral to T10. Points located between Fufen BL-41 and Zhibian BL-54 are in the lateral branch of the Bladder Channel, while these between Fengmen BL-12 and Baihuanshu BL-30 are in the medial branch.

Caution

Risk of pneumothorax (collapsed lung) with perpendicular or deep insertion. Always needle obliquely toward the spine and limit depth to 0.5-0.8 cun. Perpendicular insertion is not advisable. Exercise extra caution in thin patients where the pleural cavity is closer to the surface.

Needle Angle

45° (Oblique)

Depth Category

Shallow

Standard Depth

0.5–0.8 cun

Needling Directions

0.5–1 cun obliquely towards the spine. Or 1 to 1.5 cun transversely towards the spine. This method applied more often as it allows the patients to lie in a supine position easily during needling retention. Caution: Pneumothorax.

Expected Deqi Sensation

Soreness and distension locally, with possible radiation to the hypochondrium (side of the ribcage) or around the lower thoracic area. Some patients may experience a sensation spreading toward the gallbladder region or lateral costal area.

Moxibustion

Recommended

Duration: 10–15 minutes

Cupping

Recommended

Bloodletting

N/A

Gua Sha

Recommended

Organ & Tissue Associations

Back-Shu Point for:

Gallbladder

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