Bladder Channel

Xinshu BL-15

Chinese: 心俞

Pinyin: Xīn Shū

Location

1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the 5th thoracic vertebra (T5). 

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 5th thoracic vertebra (T5) is five spinous process below C7.

Or locate the spinous process of the 3th thoracic vertebra (T3) first, which is generally on the level of the medial end of the scapular spine, when the patient is seated with their arms hanging down. Count two spinous process down and locate T5. 

Xinshu BL-15 is 1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of T5. Shentang BL-44 is at the same level but 1.5 cun lateral to T5. 

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

Calms the Mind

Indications

Fear Anxiety Weeping Insomnia Depression Heart pain Chest pain Poor memory Palpitations Disorientation Chest fullness Excessive dreams Mental confusion Poor concentration Delayed speech development

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. 

Commentary for Xinshu BL-15

As the Heart Back Transporting point, Xinshu BL-15 is a major point, used for various Heart patterns. 

First of all, it calms the Mind by eliminating Heart Fire or Heart Empty Heat. Thus it treats symptoms such as anxiety, weeping, fright, insomnia, excessive dreaming and manic depression. Reducing Needling method should be applied for this type of Excess case. 

Secondly, the point invigorates the Qi and Blood, so that it eases pain and fullness in the chest caused by Blood Stagnation. 

On the other hand, Xinshu BL-15 is also able to nourish the Heart with Tonifying Needling method or direct moxibustion. Thus it treats symptoms such as poor memory and concentration, disorientation, mental confusion, depression as well as delayed speech development in children due to Heart Yin Deficiency. It stimulates the Brain and, at the same time, calms the Mind.