Bladder Meridian
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BL-14
Safety Warnings
- Dangerous point - requires extra caution
- Deep needling contraindicated - shallow insertion only
Needle Depth
0.5–0.8 cun
Needle Angle
45° (Oblique), 10-15° (Transverse)
Body Area
Back — Upper (Thoracic)
Location
1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the 4th thoracic vertebra (T4).
Main Actions
- Regulates the Heart
- Opens the chest and eases pain
Indications
Commentary
Jueyinshu BL-14 is an important point, widely used in various Heart disorders. It has a powerful effect on invigorating Qi on the chest and eliminating pain there. Typical diseases include arrhythmia, tachycardia, angina pectoris and coronary heart disease.
It should be used with Reducing Needling method to resolve Qi or Blood Stagnation in the chest.
Classical Sources
Zhenjiu Dacheng (針灸大成): Lists Jueyinshu (also called Juéyú 厥俞) at the level of the fourth thoracic vertebra as part of the Back-Shu point sequence.
Shisi Jing Fahui (十四經發揮): Places Jueyinshu below the fourth thoracic vertebra in the classical channel pathway description, noting the sequence from Feishu (BL-13) at T3 to Jueyinshu (BL-14) at T4 to Xinshu (BL-15) at T5.
Jing Luo Shu Xue Xue (經絡腧穴學): Describes the anatomical layers as skin → subcutaneous tissue → trapezius → rhomboid muscle → erector spinae, with innervation from the medial cutaneous branches of the 4th and 5th thoracic posterior rami.
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 4th thoracic vertebra (T4) is four spinous process below C7. Or locate the spinous process of the 3th thoracic vertebra (T3), which is generally on the level of the medial end of the scapular spine, when the patient is seated with their arms hanging down. Count one spinous process down and locate T4. Jueyinshu BL-14 is 1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of T4. Gaohuangshu BL-43 is at the same level but 3 cun lateral to T4. 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 with perpendicular or deep insertion. Always needle obliquely toward the spine at a shallow angle. Avoid needling away from the spine as this increases pneumothorax risk. Exercise extra caution in thin patients with prominent ribs. Do not exceed 0.8 cun depth.
Needle Angle
45° (Oblique) / 10-15° (Transverse)
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
Localized distention and soreness at the point site, which may radiate along the intercostal space toward the chest or spread across the upper back. Some patients experience a warm sensation moving into the chest area.
Moxibustion
Recommended
Duration: 10–15 minutes
Cupping
Recommended
Bloodletting
N/A
Gua Sha
Recommended
Organ & Tissue Associations
Back-Shu Point for:
Pericardium
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