Bladder Channel

Dazhu BL-11

Chinese: 大杼

Pinyin: Dà Zhù

Location

On the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 1st thoracic vertebra (T1), 1.5 cun (about 2 finger-breadths) lateral to the posterior midline.

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 1st thoracic vertebra (T1) is one spinous process below C7. 

Dazhui BL-11 is 1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of T1. Taodao DU-13 is on the same level. 

 

Main actions

  1. Nourishes Blood
  2. Expels Wind and firms the Exterior
  3. Nourishes Bone
  4. Descends the Lung Qi

Indications

Fever Cough Anaemia Dizziness Headaches Back pain Arthritis Stiff neck Scapula pain Blurred vision Breathlessness Spine stiffness Lower back pain Chronic rhinitis Aversion to cold Bone deformities Tendency to get colds Feeling of fullness in the chest

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 Dazhu BL-11

Dazhui BL-11 is a very important point with various functions. 

First of all, as the Sea of Blood point, it nourishes the Blood, but mainly on the body surface such as the space between the skin and muscles (腠理 Cou Li). Therefore it is able to strengthens this space against Wind Invasion with Tonifying Needle method or direct moxa. Thus it treats allergies such as chronic rhinitis or prevents common cold.  

The function of Dazhu BL-11 is similar to the formula of Gui Zhi Tang, which reinforces the Nutritive Qi to expels Wind-Heat or Wind-Cold as well as firms the Exterior. In this case, Reducing Needling method or cupping should be applied.

Secondly, it is the Gathering-Hui point for Bones. Thus it nourishes the bones and promotes bone formation in children as well as prevent bone degeneration in the elderly. It can also treat bone deformities in chronic arthritis or general muscle pain caused by Painful Obstructions Syndrome from Wind. 

Thirdly, Dazhu BL-11 regulates and descends the Lung Qi, especially in the beginning stage of Wind invasion. Typical symptoms include coughing, breathlessness and feeling of chest fullness.

This point has other names such as 'Dashu' (Big Transporting), 'Beishu' (Back Transporting) and Bailao (one hundred fatigues). The first two names indicate its ability to influence all the Back Transporting-Shu points and strengthen the back. 

The third name indicates the point's tonifying effect for chronic Blood or Yin Deficiency.