BL15 Xinshu (Heart Shu Point)

心俞xīn shūXinshu

Bladder Meridian

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Location of acupuncture point BL15 Xinshu (Heart Shu Point)
64
Indications
185
Protocols
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Location

1.5 thumb widths lateral to the GV11 at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 5th thoracic vertebra.

Categories

  • Back-Shu point of the Heart

The classical groups this point belongs to, from Deadman, Al-Khafaji & Baker, A Manual of Acupuncture.

Cautions

Avoid deep perpendicular needling – risk of pneumothorax. New, worsening or unstable cardiac symptoms need medical assessment before treatment.

Indications

Conditions for which BL15 is listed as indicated. An indication list is a reference index, not a prescription – see the protocols below for sourced treatments.

Angina Microvascular Cardiac SyndromeAnxietyBoil / Furuncle WoollyBoil Furuncle WoollyCautiousnessClove SoresCoughCoughing BloodHeart DeficiencyQi (infant) Heart DeficiencyQi Infantile Heart DeficiencyDementiaDepressionDepression CryingDisease Heart AcuteDisease StomachDermatological DisorderPsychological DisorderPsychological Mad Walking DisorderDisorientationAbdominal BloatingDreaming ExcessiveBreathing Shortness Of Breath ProblemsEpilepsyFrightGrief ExcessiveHeat FireHeat HeartHemiplegiaInsomniaJaundiceWatery EyesPoor MemoryNosebleedNumbnessOppression ChestBack PainChest PainEye PainHeart PainShoulder PainPalpitationsPapulesParalysisPulse / Heart Rate IrregularPulse Heart Rate IrregularLips RednessRestlessnessOppression Chest SensationSpeech Delayed DevelopmentBlood StagnationStrokeSweatingNight SweatsSweating Night-timeWind Cold Acute SyndromeWind-cold Acute SyndromeWind Cold Interior SyndromeWind-cold Interior SyndromeUrine WhiteVomitingVomiting BloodHeart Zang WeaknessTongue Root Weakness

TCM actions

What classical sources say BL15 does in the terms of Chinese medicine theory. These describe the point, not a condition.

Benefit DigestionBenefit Regulate Qi HeartBenefit Tonify HeartCalm Spirit ShenNourish HeartRegulate Qi HeartTonify HeartUnbind Chest

Protocols using BL15

The 50 best-sourced of 185, ranked by strength of evidence. The count above is the full figure.

  • Bronchial Asthma, Allergic Rhinitis, COPD, Bronchitis Chronic, Infection Respiratory Recurrent – BL13, BL15, BL17, BL23, BL43, CV17, GV14 (doi:10.1016/s0254-6272(10)60037-4 ↗)
  • Hives, Itching – LI11, SP06, SP10, HT07, BL12, BL13, BL15, BL17, BL18, BL20, BL23, KD16, GB20, GB31, CV06, CV09, GV14, GV20, GV24 (doi:10.1016/s0254-6272(09)60041-8 ↗)
  • Palpitation, Ventricular Premature Beat, Obstruction Of Qi Chest – ST36, SP06, HT07, BL14, BL15, KD03, PC04, PC06, PC07, LV03, CV17, GV20 (doi:10.1016/s0254-6272(08)60021-7 ↗)
  • Sweating, Lassitude, Poor Appetite, Palpitation, Chest Precordial Pain, Loose Stool – LI04, ST36, HT06, BL15, BL17, PC06, LV03, CV14, CV17 (doi:10.1016/s0254-6272(08)60034-5 ↗)
  • Fatigue, Dizziness, Headache, Depression, Lassitude, Knee Pain, Head Vertex Pain, Dyspnea, Heaviness Lower Limbs, Lower Back Pain – LI04, ST36, SP06, HT07, BL15, BL17, BL18, BL20, BL21, BL23, BL26, KD03, PC06, GB20, LV03, CV06, CV12, GV20, GV24 (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ↗)
  • Dizziness, Insomnia, Palpitation, Precordial Pain – ST36, HT07, BL13, BL15, BL20, PC06, PC07, CV06, CV14, CV17, GV20, GV24 (doi:10.1016/s0254-6272(08)60052-7 ↗)
  • Bedwetting, Restlessness, Mental Retardation, Slow Reaction, Glossolalia, Salivation, Feeble Neck – LI04, ST04, ST36, ST40, SP06, SP09, HT07, BL10, BL15, BL18, BL20, BL23, PC06, GB13, GB20, LV03, CV04, CV06, CV12, CV23, GV14, GV15, GV17, GV20 (doi:10.1016/s0254-6272(10)60036-2 ↗)
  • Insomnia Heart And Spleen Deficiency – SP06, HT07, BL15, BL20 (doi:10.1016/s0254-6272(10)60038-6 ↗)
  • Insomnia, Dream-disturbed Sleep, Difficulty Falling Asleep, Frequent Wakening, Early Wakening – ST36, SP06, BL15, BL20, BL23, KD03, PC06, GV20 (doi:10.1016/s0254-6272(10)60006-4 ↗)
  • Dizziness, Tinnitus, Insomnia, Abdominal Distention, Palpitation, Dream-disturbed Sleep, Loose Stool, Difficulty Falling Asleep, Frequent Wakening, Poor Memory – ST36, SP06, BL15, BL20, BL23, KD03, PC06, GV20 (doi:10.1016/s0254-6272(10)60006-4 ↗)
  • Insomnia – ST25, ST36, ST40, SP06, SP09, HT07, BL14, BL15, BL18, BL20, BL21, BL23, KD03, PC06, GB20, GB41, LV03, CV04, CV06, CV12, CV17, GV20, GV23, GV24 (doi:10.1016/s0254-6272(09)60009-1 ↗)
  • Insomnia, Lassitude, Abdominal Distension, Forgetfulness, Palpitation, Loose Stool, Sleep Dreamy, Decreased Food Intake – SP06, SP09, HT07, BL15, BL17, BL20 (doi:10.1016/s0254-6272(08)60004-7 ↗)
  • Fatigue, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Insomnia, Dreaming, Spermatorrhea, Poor Memory, Appetite Poor, Nocturnal Emission, Lack Of Energy, Low Back Weakness, Soreness Knee – SP06, HT07, BL15, BL20, BL23, BL52, KD03, PC06, CV04, GV20, GV24 (doi:10.1016/s0254-6272(09)60090-x ↗)
  • Chronic Pain, Post-thoracotomy Pain, Acute Pain – ST36, BL12, BL13, BL14, BL15, BL16, BL17, BL18, BL19 (doi:10.1016/j.jtcvs.2008.07.053 ↗)
  • Fatigue, Insomnia, Irritability, Hot Flashes – SP06, HT07, BL15, BL23, BL32, PC06, GB34, LV03, GV20 (doi:10.1016/j.urology.2010.03.033 ↗)
  • Hot Flashes, Vasomotor Symptoms, Menopause Perimenopause, Menopause Postmenopause – LI04, LI11, ST36, SP06, HT07, BL15, BL18, BL20, BL23, KD03, PC06, GB34, LV03, CV06, CV17, GV14, GV20 (doi:10.1097/gme.0b013e31821f9171 ↗)
  • Headache, Muscle Pain, Fatigue Chronic, Fatigue Unexplained, Sleep Unrefreshing, Memory Impaired, Malaise Post-exertional – BL11, BL13, BL15, BL18, BL20, BL23, GB20, GV20 (doi:10.1186/1745-6215-14-147 ↗)
  • Headache, Muscle Pain, Fatigue Chronic, Fatigue Unexplained, Sleep Unrefreshing, Memory Impaired, Malaise Post-exertional – LU08, SP03, HT08, BL15, CV06 (doi:10.1186/1745-6215-14-147 ↗)
  • Chest Discomfort, Angina Stable, Chest Pain Ischemic – BL14, BL15, PC06, CV17 (doi:10.1155/2014/619706 ↗)
  • Memory Impaired, Cognitive Impairment Vascular, Dementia Vascular No Dementia, Stroke Post – ST36, SP10, HT05, BL15, BL45, KD06, CV06, CV12, CV17, GV16, GV20 (doi:10.1186/1745-6215-15-442 ↗)
  • Joint Pain, Muscle Pain, Fatigue Chronic, Sleep Unrefreshing, Fatigue Post-exertional – BL11, BL13, BL15, BL18, BL20, BL23, GB20, GV20 (doi:10.1186/s13063-015-0857-0 ↗)
  • Joint Pain, Muscle Pain, Fatigue Chronic, Sleep Unrefreshing, Fatigue Post-exertional – LU08, SP03, HT08, BL15, CV06 (doi:10.1186/s13063-015-0857-0 ↗)
  • Tic Disorder Motor, Tic Disorder Vocal, Tourette Syndrome – BL15, BL18, BL23, GB20, GV16, GV20 (doi:10.1186/s13063-015-0873-0 ↗)
  • Hyperlipidemia, Elevated Ldl-c, Elevated Tc, Elevated Tg – ST25, ST40, BL15, BL18, BL20, BL23, CV14 (doi:10.1186/s13063-017-2029-x ↗)
  • COPD, Reduced Quality Of Life – BL13, BL15, BL18, BL20, BL23 (doi:10.1186/s12906-020-02899-3 ↗)
  • Anxiety, Depression, Insomnia, Angina Pectoris, Chest Pain, Ischemia Cardiac – LU06, LU09, ST36, ST40, HT05, HT07, BL15, PC06, CV17 (doi:10.1155/2020/1931839 ↗)
  • Anxiety, Insomnia, Lethargy, Diarrhea, Psychomotor Retardation, Depression Bipolar, Malaise General – LI04, ST25, ST27, ST36, SP06, BL15, BL18, BL20, PC06, GB20, GB21, LV03, CV04, GV20 (doi:10.1177/1179547620967379 ↗)
  • Depression Post-stroke, Stroke Sequelae, Depression Moderate-severe – LI04, ST10, ST36, SP06, HT07, BL15, KD03, PC06, LV03, GV20 (doi:10.1186/s12906-021-03277-3 ↗)
  • Depression Post-stroke, Stroke Sequelae – LI04, ST36, SP06, HT07, BL15, KD03, PC06, LV03, GV20 (doi:10.1186/s12906-021-03277-3 ↗)
  • Dysuria, Leg Pain, Lower Back Pain, Spasticity, Balance Impaired, Lower Extremity Weakness, Gait Disturbance – LU08, ST34, ST36, ST37, SP01, SP02, SP03, SP10, HT08, BL15, BL16, BL17, BL18, BL19, KD03, KD07, LV01 (doi:10.12998/wjcc.v9.i31.9691 ↗)
  • Cough, Insomnia, Malaise, Shortness Of Breath, Olfactory Dysfunction Post-covid, Taste Dysfunction – LI20, SP03, SP09, HT07, BL10, BL14, BL15, KD03, PC06, PC07, GB20, LV03, CV17, GV12, GV20 (doi:10.3389/fneur.2022.916944 ↗)
  • Fatigue, Palpitations, Insomnia, Malaise, Heaviness Head, Olfactory Dysfunction Post-covid – LI20, SP03, SP09, BL10, BL14, BL15, KD03, PC06, PC07, GB20, LV03, CV17, GV12, GV20 (doi:10.3389/fneur.2022.916944 ↗)
  • Asthma, Respiratory Wheezing, Respiratory Dyspnea – BL13, BL15, BL17, BL20, BL23, CV04, GV14 (doi:10.19852/j.cnki.jtcm.2023.01.013 ↗)
  • Headache, Sore Throat, Joint Pain, Muscle Pain, Fatigue Chronic, Sleep Unrefreshing, Memory Impaired, Fatigue Post-exertional, Cold Intolerance, Concentration Impaired, Yang Deficiency Spleen-kidney, Lumbar Weakness – BL11, BL13, BL14, BL15, BL17, BL18, BL19, BL20, BL21, BL22, BL23, BL25, GV02, GV03, GV04, GV05, GV06, GV07, GV08, GV09, GV10, GV11, GV12, GV13, GV14 (doi:10.1186/s12967-023-04250-z ↗)
  • Anxiety, Sweating, Palpitations, Hot Flashes, Cancer Prostate Androgen Deprivation Therapy Side Effects – SP06, SP09, BL15, BL23, BL33 (doi:10.1186/s12906-023-04218-y ↗)
  • Epilepsy Drug-resistant, Seizures Focal, Seizures Tonic-clonic – ST40, BL15, BL18, GB34, GV14, GV20 (doi:10.1155/2023/5871991 ↗)
  • Fatigue, Constipation, Insomnia, Weight Loss, Eating Disorder Arfid, Food Avoidance, Abdominal Bloating, Taste Disturbance, Tongue Pain – LI04, ST19, ST20, ST24, ST25, ST36, ST40, SP04, SP06, HT07, SI03, BL15, BL19, BL20, BL21, BL22, KD06, PC06, GV20 (doi:10.7759/cureus.61912 ↗)
  • Constipation, Vomiting, Insomnia, Nausea, Erythromelalgia, Night Sweats, Chronic Pain, Burning Extremities Pain, Extremities Redness, Hot Flashes Extremities, Thirst Excessive – ST44, SP06, BL15, BL17, BL23, KD06, KD07, PC07, LV03, GV20 (doi:10.7759/cureus.65890 ↗)
  • Depression Post-stroke, Stroke Sequelae, Heart-spleen Deficiency – ST36, HT07, BL15, BL20, PC06, LV03, GV20 (doi:10.2147/NDT.S525238 ↗)
  • Anxiety, Insomnia, Restlessness Insomnia, Insomnia Chronic, Fatigue Daytime, Mood Disturbance, Liver-fire Heart-disturbance – HT07, BL15, BL18, LV03 (doi:10.2147/NSS.S521578 ↗)
  • Tic Disorder Motor, Tic Disorder Vocal, Eye Blinking, Mouth Twitching, Sniffing, Throat Clearing – BL14, BL15, BL18, KD07, GB20, GV20 (doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000045844 ↗)
  • Atherosclerosis Carotid, Arterial Stiffness Carotid – ST09, BL15, BL17, BL19, PC06, GB34, CV04, CV06, CV10, CV12, GV20, GV24 (doi:10.13702/j.1000-0607.20230354 ↗)
  • Dry Eye, Perimenopausal Syndrome, Perimenopause, Dry Eye Perimenopausal – BL13, BL15, BL18, BL20, BL23, GB19 (doi:10.13702/j.1000-0607.20230536 ↗)
  • Anxiety, Low Mood, Depression Cancer-related – BL13, BL15, BL17, BL18, BL20, BL23 (doi:10.3389/fonc.2022.1036634 ↗)
  • Oral Pain, Stomatitis Aphthous Recurrent, Ulcer Oral Recurrent – ST36, BL15, BL20, BL23, KD03, CV04 (doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000036817 ↗)
  • Oral Pain, Stomatitis Aphthous Recurrent, Ulcer Oral Recurrent – ST36, BL15, BL20 (doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000036817 ↗)
  • Oral Pain, Stomatitis Aphthous Recurrent, Ulcer Oral Recurrent – ST36, BL15, BL20 (doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000036817 ↗)
  • Heat Stress, Hyperthermia, Thermal Discomfort – LI11, BL15, BL19, GV14 (doi:10.5937/fme2403411z ↗)
  • Insomnia, And Spleen Heart Deficiency – ST36, BL15, BL20 (doi:10.1155/ijcp/6940576 ↗)
  • Insomnia, Disharmony Heart And Kidney – BL15, BL23, KD03 (doi:10.1155/ijcp/6940576 ↗)

Most often selected alongside BL15

How many sourced protocols in the index pair each point with BL15. Corpus frequency, not a combination to use.

  • BL20Spleen Shu Point83 protocols
  • BL23Kidney Shu Point76 protocols
  • GV20100 Convergences76 protocols
  • HT07Spirit Gate76 protocols
  • BL18Liver Shu Point70 protocols
  • PC06Inner Gate63 protocols
  • ST36Leg Three Miles63 protocols
  • SP06Three Yin Intersection57 protocols
  • LV03Great Surge50 protocols
  • BL17Diaphragm Shu Point41 protocols
  • BL13Lung Shu Point40 protocols
  • KD03Great Stream38 protocols

Other points on the Bladder Meridian

BL01BL02BL03BL04BL05BL06BL07BL08BL09BL10BL11BL12BL13BL14BL16BL17BL18BL19BL20BL21BL22BL23BL24BL25BL26BL27BL28BL29BL30BL31BL32BL33BL34BL35BL36BL37BL38BL39BL40BL41BL42BL43BL44BL45BL46BL47BL48BL49BL50BL51BL52BL53BL54BL55BL56BL57BL58BL59BL60BL61BL62BL63BL64BL65BL66BL67