Bladder Meridian
View all acupuncture points on this meridian and explore the channel pathway.
View meridian
BL-48
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)
Location
3 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the 10th thoracic vertebra (T10).
Main Actions
- Regulates the Gall Bladder and clears Damp-Heat
- Regulates the Middle Burner
Indications
Fever
Jaundice
Indolence
Diarrhoea
Dark Urine
Borborygmi
Yellow eyes
Yellow face
Poor appetite
Abdominal pain
Dysenteric disorder
Difficult ingestion
Abdominal distention
Irregular defecation
Lateral costal region pain
Commentary
Yanggang BL-48 is at the same level as Danshu BL-19, which is the Back Transporting-Shu point of the Gall Bladder. Therefore, it shares some BL-19's functions, despite that the point itself is much less important.
First of all, BL-48 regulates the Gall Bladder and clears Damp-Heat, characterized by symptoms such as fever, jaundice, pain of the lateral costal region as well as dark and hesitant urination.
It also regulates Qi in the Middle Burner, so as to ease symptoms such as distention and pain in the abdomen, irregular defection and digestive issues.
Classical Sources
The classical texts describe BL-48 Yanggang in relation to its position at the same level as the Gallbladder Back-Shu point (BL-19 Danshu). The name 'Yang Gang' (阳纲) refers to the 'headrope' or 'key link' of Yang—the gallbladder being a Yang organ. Classical indications include fever, jaundice, abdominal distention, borborygmus, diarrhea, dark urine, poor appetite, and hypochondriac pain.
The point's therapeutic actions center on regulating the Gallbladder and clearing Damp-Heat from the hepatobiliary system, as well as harmonizing the Middle Jiao (digestive center).
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. Yanggang BL-48 is 3 cun lateral to the lower border of T10. Danshu BL-19 is at the same level but 1.5 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
PNEUMOTHORAX RISK: This point lies over the thoracic cavity. Deep perpendicular insertion or needling in the wrong direction carries substantial risk of causing pneumothorax (collapsed lung). Always needle obliquely toward the lateral direction, keeping depth shallow (0.3-0.5 cun). Avoid in patients with respiratory compromise or lung disease. Never needle deeply or perpendicularly.
Needle Angle
45° (Oblique)
Depth Category
Shallow
Standard Depth
0.3–0.5 cun
Needling Directions
Obliquely 0.3–0.8 cun. Caution: Pneumothorax.
Expected Deqi Sensation
Localized distending or aching sensation at the point, which may radiate along the intercostal space toward the lateral costal region. Some patients experience a spreading warmth or heaviness in the upper back area.
Moxibustion
Recommended
Duration: 10–15 minutes
Cupping
Recommended
Bloodletting
N/A
Gua Sha
Recommended
Related Resources
Browse All Points
Explore the complete collection of acupuncture points across all meridians.
View all meridians