Bladder Meridian
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BL-10
Window of Heaven
Safety Warnings
- Dangerous point - requires extra caution
- Deep needling contraindicated - shallow insertion only
Needle Depth
0.5–0.8 cun
Needle Angle
90° (Perpendicular), 45° (Oblique)
Body Area
Neck — Posterior, Head — Occipital
Location
1.3 cun lateral to Yamen DU-15 on the posterior midline, 0.5 cun above the posterior hairline, on the lateral side of trapezius muscle.
Main Actions
- Tonifies Yang and the Greater Yang Channels
- Expels Exterior Wind
- Pacifies Interior Wind and subdues Liver Yang
- Clears the Brain and benefits the sense orifices
- Calms the Mind
- Removes obstruction from the Channel
Indications
Fever
Epilepsy
Eye pain
Red eyes
Dizziness
Headaches
Weak legs
Back pain
Stiff neck
Heavy head
Body aches
Muscle ache
Poor memory
Tearfulness
Blocked nose
Shoulder pain
Blurred vision
Manic behavior
Hallucinations
Aversion to cold
Mental confusion
Excessive talking
Poor concentration
Difficult speaking
Occipital headaches
Generalized body pain
Loss of sense of smell
Commentary
The two Great Yang Channels (Small Intestine Hand and Bladder Foot) are the most 'Yang' and the most Exterior ones out of the 14 Channels. Tianzhu BL-10 is located around the occiput on top of the body. It acts like a Yang Qi gate balancing the Yang flow to and from the head, making it even more 'Yang' comparing to other points of the Great Yang Channels. It is a Window of Heaven point, which implies this Yang regulating function as well.
It is able to tonify Yang in case of Yang Deficiency in lower limbs. Thus it strengthens the legs in order to support the body.
On the other hand, it is indicated for Excess patterns such as Exterior Yang Pernicious Factors invasion such as Wind. Typical manifestations include aversion to cold, fever, stiff neck and general body aches.
It also extinguishes Interior Wind by subduing Liver Yang Rising or Rebellious Liver Qi from the upper body, characterized by symptoms such as dizziness, headache, muscle pain, stiff neck, epilepsy and general feeling of heaviness. Excess Yang may also cause mental disorders or manic behaviors such as incessant talking or hallucinations.
Furthermore, Tianzhu BL-10 can be used to clear the Brain and promote better memory and concentration. It is because it's the point where Bladder Channel goes to the Brain.
The Eye System also emerges from the Brain at BL-10, thus it benefits the eyes and other sense orifices. This is particularly the case if the disorders are due to Kidney Deficiency.
Finally, Tianzhu BL-10 removes obstructions from the Channel with Reducing Needle Method. Patients usually suffer from body pain, especially in the shoulders and back.
Classical Sources
Ling Shu (Spiritual Pivot), Chapter Ben Shu: First recorded the point Tianzhu as belonging to the Foot Taiyang Bladder channel.
Su Wen, Chapter 21: Lists Tianzhu BL-10 among the five original Window of Heaven points, indicated for "headache due to rebellion of Yang, fullness of the chest with difficulty in breathing."
Zhen Jiu Da Cheng (Great Compendium of Acupuncture): "Treats inability of the feet to support the body, shoulder and back pain wanting to break, eyes dim and unclear, head spinning with brain pain, head wind, nose cannot distinguish fragrant from foul, brain heavy as if falling off, top [of head] as if being pulled, neck stiff and unable to turn and look back."
How to Locate
The patients are recommended to put their head in a straight and relaxed position for better identification of the point. Locate Fengchi GB-20 below the lower border of the occiput and between the insertions of the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles. Locate Tianzhu BL-10 by palpating from GB-20 at 45° in a medial and inferior direction until reaching a halt against the bulge of the trapezius muscle. Or place left middle finger on GB-20 on the left side, then the index finger should point to BL-10.
Caution
Do NOT needle in a superior or medial-superior direction, as this risks injury to the medulla oblongata (brainstem). The occipital artery, occipital vein, and greater occipital nerve are located in this region. Keep needling shallow (0.5-0.8 cun) and perpendicular or slightly oblique in a dorsal/inferior direction only. This point requires careful technique due to proximity to vital neurovascular structures.
Needle Angle
90° (Perpendicular) / 45° (Oblique)
Depth Category
Shallow
Standard Depth
0.5–0.8 cun
Needling Directions
0.5–1 cun vertically or slightly obliquely in a dorsal direction. Caution: Do not needle in a superior direction.
Expected Deqi Sensation
Local aching or distension spreading to the occiput and posterior neck. Deqi may radiate upward toward the head or downward along the upper back and shoulders. Some patients report a sensation of heaviness or warmth in the posterior head region.
Moxibustion
Recommended
Duration: 5–10 minutes
Cupping
Recommended
Bloodletting
N/A
Gua Sha
Recommended
Special Point Classifications
Window of Heaven
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