Bladder Meridian
View all acupuncture points on this meridian and explore the channel pathway.
View meridian
BL-4
Safety Warnings
- Deep needling contraindicated - shallow insertion only
Needle Depth
0.5–1.0 cun
Needle Angle
10-15° (Transverse)
Body Area
Face — Forehead
Location
0.5 cun superior to the anterior hairline and 1.5 cun lateral to the anterior midline, at the junction of the medial third and lateral two-thirds of the distance from anterior midline to Touwei ST-8.
Main Actions
- Expels Wind-Heat and eases pain
- Benefits the eyes and nose
Indications
Anxiety
Eye pain
Rhinitis
Dyspnoea
No sweat
Headaches
Sore nose
Bloody nose
Blocked nose
Blurred vision
Vertex swelling
Commentary
Quchai BL-4 is not a major point of the Bladder Channel.
Like its neighboring point of Meichong BL-3, it is mainly used to expel Wind-Heat so as to ease pain, mainly on the eyes and nose.
Classical Sources
《针灸甲乙经》(Zhēnjiǔ Jiǎyǐ Jīng - The Systematic Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion): First recorded this point as belonging to the Foot Taiyang Bladder channel, establishing its location at the forehead.
Classical indication summary: Traditional texts indicate this point for headache, dizziness, nasal obstruction, nosebleed (epistaxis), and blurred or failing vision.
How to Locate
First locate Meichong BL-3 which is vertically above the medial extremity of the eyebrow (Zanzhu BL-2) and 0.5 cun within the anterior hairline. Quchai BL-4 is at the same level as BL-3 which is 0.5 cun within the anterior hairline. However, it is 1.5 cun lateral to the anterior midline, which is more lateral. Shenting DU-24 is also located 0.5 cun within the anterior hairline, but at the anterior midline. Touwei ST-8 is at the same level but on the corner of the forehead. The distance between these two points is 4.5 cun. Quchai BL-4 is at the junction of the medial third and lateral two-thirds of the distance of these two reference points.
Caution
Located on the scalp with relatively thin tissue over the frontal bone. Use transverse (subcutaneous) insertion only - perpendicular needling is not appropriate here. The frontal artery and vein run in this region, so apply firm pressure after needle removal to prevent bruising. The frontal branch of the trigeminal nerve is also present, so gentle technique is recommended.
Needle Angle
10-15° (Transverse)
Depth Category
Shallow
Standard Depth
0.5–1.0 cun
Needling Directions
Transversely 0.5–1 cun
Expected Deqi Sensation
Local distension and numbness spreading across the forehead. Some patients may feel a mild aching sensation radiating toward the eye or nose region. Deqi is typically mild at this location due to the thin musculature over the skull.
Moxibustion
Recommended
Duration: 5–10 minutes
Cupping
Contraindicated
Bloodletting
N/A
Gua Sha
Contraindicated
Related Resources
Browse All Points
Explore the complete collection of acupuncture points across all meridians.
View all meridians