Bladder Meridian
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BL-9
Safety Warnings
- Deep needling contraindicated - shallow insertion only
Needle Depth
0.3–0.5 cun
Needle Angle
10-15° (Transverse)
Body Area
Head — Occipital
Location
First identify Naohu DU-17 which is on the superior border of the external occipital protuberance. Yuzhen BL-9 is 1.3 cun lateral to Naohu DU-17.
Main Actions
- Expels Interior and Exterior Wind
- Subdues Liver Yang
- Calms the Mind
- Brightens the eyes
Indications
Commentary
Yuzhen BL-9 is a major point of the Bladder Channel with various functions.
First of all, it is able to expel Exterior Wind, characterized by symptoms such as aversion to cold, fever or body aches.
It pacifies Interior Wind as well, especially if it happens due to Liver Yang Rising. Typical symptoms are occipital headache, dizziness, neck pain with inability to turn the head, feeling of head heaviness , red face or even epilepsy and loss of consciousness.
The Liver opens to the eyes, thus BL-19 can also brightens the eyes by subduing Liver Yang.
Finally, it treats manic behavior by opening the Mind's orifices.
Classical Sources
Ling Shu (Classic of the Spiritual Pivot): The point first appears in the Ling Shu chapter on channels, named for its location on the occipital bone, which was traditionally called the 'jade pillow bone' (玉枕骨).
Zhen Jiu Jia Yi Jing (Systematic Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion): The name 'Yuzhen' derives from the ancient name for the occipital bone. The character 'Yu' (jade) signifies preciousness, reflecting that the head is the most noble part of the body and should be treated as carefully as precious jade.
Tong Ren Shu Xue Zhen Jiu Tu Jing (Illustrated Manual of Acupuncture Points of the Bronze Figure): Records the location as 1.5 cun posterior to Luoque (BL-8), lateral to Naohu (GV-17), in the depression above the external occipital protuberance.
How to Locate
First identify Naohu DU-17 in the depression directly superior to the upper border of the external occipital protuberance. Then locate Yuzhen BL-9 by measuring 1.3 cun in a lateral direction. BL-9 is vertically above Tianzhu BL-10 which is on the lateral side of trapezius muscle.
Caution
Due to its location over the occipital bone, only transverse (subcutaneous) needling is appropriate. Deep perpendicular needling is contraindicated as it could potentially affect underlying structures. The point lies over bone, so proper angle is essential to avoid patient discomfort and needle bending.
Needle Angle
10-15° (Transverse)
Depth Category
Shallow
Standard Depth
0.3–0.5 cun
Needling Directions
Transversely 0.5–1 cun.
Expected Deqi Sensation
Local distention and soreness spreading across the occiput. Deqi may radiate toward the vertex or down to the neck. Some patients report a sensation of heaviness or pressure in the back of the head.
Moxibustion
Recommended
Duration: 5–15 minutes
Cupping
Questionable
Bloodletting
N/A
Gua Sha
Recommended
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