Bladder Channel

Pangguangshu BL-28

Chinese: 膀胱俞

Pinyin: Páng Guāng Shū

Location

At the level of the 2nd posterior sacral foramen, 1.5 cun lateral to the posterior midline, in the depression between the medial border of the posterior superior iliac spine  (PSIS) and the sacrum. 

How to locate

First locate the posterior superior iliac spine (PSIS). From the rima ani, palpate 3 cun (1 handbreadth) in a superior and lateral direction at a 45° angle, until feel a distinct bony ridge, which is often superficially visible by a dimple. 

Pangguangshu BL-28 is located slightly inferiorly and medially to the PSIS, 1.5 cun lateral to the midline on the level of the 2nd sacral foramen. 

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. Regulates the Bladder and benefits urination
  2. Resolves Damp-Heat
  3. Strengthens the lower back
  4. Removes Stagnation and resolves masses

Indications

Enuresis Sciatica Dark Urine Sacrum pain Turbid urine Vaginal pain Constipation Leg numbness Renal stones Buttocks pain Swelling penis Abdominal pain Abdominal mass Sacrum stiffnes Lower back pain Genitalia ulcers Vaginal swelling Urinary retention Genitalia swollen Genitalia itching Urinary difficulty Lower back stiffness

Needling

Vertically 0.5–1.5 cun.

For local disorders, slightly oblique insertion towards the iliosacral joint.

Commentary for Pangguangshu BL-28

As the Back Transporting-Shu point of the Bladder, Pangguangshu BL-28 is mostly used to regulate the Organ. It opens the water passages in the Lower Burner so as to treat urinary disorders, such as difficult urination, dark and turbid urine, retention of urine as well as enuresis. To ensure the dirty Body Fluids are properly transformed and excreted, BL-28 is often stimulated together with Pishu BL-20. 

Furthermore, it also resolves Damp-Heat from the Lower Burner. Typical symptoms include pain and burning urination as well as swelling, ulcers as well as pain and itching of genitals, vagina and penis. It also expel renal stones, if combined with Shenshu BL-23 and Yinlingquan SP-9. 

Like other Bladder points on the Lower back, BL-28 strengthens the lower back as well. It can be stimulated to treat stiffness and pain of the lower back, sacrum as well as buttocks and legs. 

Finally, Pangguangshu BL-28 removes Stagnation, characterized by abdominal pain and masses as well as constipation.