Bladder Meridian
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BL-42
Safety Warnings
- Dangerous point - requires extra caution
- Deep needling contraindicated - shallow insertion only
Needle Depth
0.3–0.5 cun
Needle Angle
45° (Oblique)
Body Area
Back — Upper (Thoracic), Shoulder
Location
3 cun (about 4 finger-breadths) lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the 3rd thoracic vertebra (T3).
Main Actions
- Benefits the Corporeal Soul (Po)
- Tonifies the Lung Qi
- Subdues Rebellious Lung Qi
Indications
Commentary
Pohu BL-42 has influence over both physical and psychological disorders.
As its name indicates, it treats disorders of the Corporeal Soul (Po) and emotional disorders related to Lung disharmony. It strengthens and roots the Corporeal Soul in the Lungs, by releasing emotional feelings such as long-term worry, sadness and grief. It has the effect to calm the Mind and sooth the spirit, so that the patient turns inwards and become more comfortable with themselves.
On the physical aspect, BL-42 strongly tonifies the Lung Qi when the Organ is in severe exhaustion. It is indicated for consumption, Lung atrophy and dry cough. Gaohuangshu BL-43 has similar effect.
Furthermore, BL-42 promotes the descending of Lung Qi. Thus it also treats wheezing, dyspnoea and breathlessness.
Classical Sources
Jia Yi Jing (Systematic Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion): Lists BL-42 for treatment of cough, dyspnea, and pulmonary conditions.
Ling Shu (Spiritual Pivot): The Lungs store the Po (Corporeal Soul), and BL-42 serves as the 'door' for the Po, regulating the spirit aspect associated with the Lung.
Name Analysis: "Po" (魄) refers to the Corporeal Soul stored in the Lungs; "Hu" (户) means door or gate. The name indicates this point is the gateway where Lung Qi and the Po spirit are accessed and regulated.
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 3rd thoracic vertebra (T3) is three spinous process below C7. Or directly 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. Pohu BL-42 is 3 cun lateral to the lower border of T3. Feishu BL-13 is at the same level but 1.5 cun lateral to T3. 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 deep or perpendicular insertion. Always needle obliquely toward the lateral direction. Do not needle deeply or perpendicularly. This point lies over the thoracic cavity; practitioners must be mindful of the underlying pleura and lung tissue. Use shallow oblique insertion only.
Needle Angle
45° (Oblique)
Depth Category
Shallow
Standard Depth
0.3–0.5 cun
Needling Directions
Obliquely 0.3–0.5 cun. Caution: Pneumothorax.
Expected Deqi Sensation
Local aching or distension around the scapular border. The sensation may radiate to the shoulder or toward the chest. Some patients report a sense of warmth spreading through the upper back area.
Moxibustion
Recommended
Duration: 10–15 minutes
Cupping
Recommended
Bloodletting
N/A
Gua Sha
Recommended
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