Bladder Channel

Danshu BL-19

Chinese: 胆俞

Pinyin: Dǎn Shū

Location

1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the 10th thoracic vertebra (T10). 

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. 

Danshu BL-19 is 1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of T10. Yanggang BL-48 is at the same level but 3 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.

Main actions

  1. Resolves Damp-Heat from the Liver and Gall Bladder
  2. Subdues Rebellious Stomach Qi
  3. Tonifies Gall Bladder Qi
  4. Regulates the Lessor Yang
  5. Tonifies Deficiency

Indications

Nausea Jaundice Vomiting Retching Timidity Belching Dithering Chest pain Depression Dry throat Palpitation Night sweat Cholecystitis Blurred vision Chest distension Dull-yellow sclera Hypochondriac pain Difficulty swallowing HypochondriaI distension Bitter taste in the mouth Alternation of hot and cold feeling

Needling

0.5–1 cun obliquely towards the spine.

Or 1 to 1.5 cun transversely towards the spine. This method applied more often as it allows the patients to lie in a supine position easily during needling retention. 

Caution: Pneumothorax. 

Commentary for Danshu BL-19

Danshu BL-19 is a major point of the Bladder Channel with various functions. 

As the Back Transporting-Shu point of the Gall Bladder, it resolves Damp-Heat in the Gall Bladder and Liver. Therefore it is able to treat cholecystitis, yellow sclera, bitter taste and jaundice.

The Gall Bladder is a part of the Lesser Yang, thus BL-19 can expel Pernicious Factors from the Lesser Yang Stage of the Six Stage Theory or eliminate Gall Bladder Heat within the Four Levels Theory. It regulates the Lesser Yang and can be used for symptoms such as alternation of feeling of heat and cold, dry throat, blurred vision and hypochondrial distension. 

Furthermore, it tonifies the Gall Bladder Qi and has some calming effect. Patients with Gall Bladder Qi Deficiency tend to be timid, undecisive and depressed. 

Danshu BL-19 also subdues Rebellious Stomach Qi, characterized by symptoms such as vomiting, difficult swallowing, belching, nausea as well as pain and distension of the chest and hypochondrium. 

Finally, it has a powerful effect in tonifying general Deficiency, especially the Yin Deficiency. Typical symptoms are night sweating, fever, dry throat and the feeling of 'steaming bones'.