BL19 Danshu (Gallbladder Shu Point)

膽俞dǎn shūDanshu

Bladder Meridian

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Location of acupuncture point BL19 Danshu (Gallbladder Shu Point)
33
Indications
54
Protocols
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Location

1.5 thumb widths lateral to the GV07 at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 10th thoracic vertebra.

Categories

  • Back-Shu point of the Gallbladder

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

Cautions

Avoid deep perpendicular needling.

Indications

Conditions for which BL19 is listed as indicated. An indication list is a reference index, not a prescription – see the protocols below for sourced treatments.

Common ColdTaxation Tidal Fever DeficiencyDeficiency-fever Taxation TidalSteaming Bone Fever DisorderChest BloatingCostal Lateral BloatingDry ThroatDry RetchingFrightTurning StiffnessImmobility TurningInsomniaJaundiceJaundice EyesMyalgia Back Long ExtensorsLower Back PainChest PainRib PainHeadacheSore ThroatPalpitationsPathogenic Factors ShaoyangRestlessness InsomniaShiveringSpontaneous SweatingArmpit SwellingDamp Heat Gallbladder SyndromeDamp-heat Gallbladder SyndromeDamp Heat Liver SyndromeDamp-heat Liver SyndromeTaste BitternessTongue DryVomiting

TCM actions

What classical sources say BL19 does in the terms of Chinese medicine theory. These describe the point, not a condition.

Benefit DigestionBenefit Tonify DeficiencyBenefit Tonify Qi GallbladderNourish Qi GallbladderTonify DeficiencyTonify Qi Gallbladder

Protocols using BL19

The 50 best-sourced of 54, ranked by strength of evidence. The count above is the full figure.

  • Chronic Pain, Post-thoracotomy Pain, Acute Pain – ST36, BL12, BL13, BL14, BL15, BL16, BL17, BL18, BL19 (doi:10.1016/j.jtcvs.2008.07.053 ↗)
  • Cancer Pain, Cancer Liver – BL18, BL19, LV14 (doi:10.1016/s0254-6272(13)60121-1 ↗)
  • Chemotherapy Nausea, Vomiting Chemotherapy-induced – ST36, BL17, BL19, CV12 (doi:10.1155/2017/9854893 ↗)
  • Pruritus, Urticaria Chronic, Wheals, Angioedema – BL17, BL19 (doi:10.1155/2020/6598708 ↗)
  • Vomiting, Nausea, Cholelithiasis, Bitter Taste, Back Pain, Abdomen Upper Pain, Gallstone, Gallbladder Tenderness, Abdomen Upper Fullness, Gallbladder Motility Impaired – BL19, GB24, GB34, LV13 (doi:10.1097/MCG.0000000000001487 ↗)
  • 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 ↗)
  • 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 ↗)
  • 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 ↗)
  • Anxiety, Fibromyalgia, Whole-body Pain, Mood Depressive – ST25, ST27, ST36, SP04, SP06, HT07, SI03, BL16, BL18, BL19, BL20, BL21, BL23, BL62, KD03, KD06, TB05, LV03, LV08 (doi:10.7759/cureus.74385 ↗)
  • Knee Pain, Osteoarthritis Knee, Stiffness Knee – ST34, BL19, BL21, BL23, BL25, BL27, BL40 (doi:10.1186/s12906-025-04891-1 ↗)
  • Atherosclerosis Carotid, Arterial Stiffness Carotid – ST09, BL15, BL17, BL19, PC06, GB34, CV04, CV06, CV10, CV12, GV20, GV24 (doi:10.13702/j.1000-0607.20230354 ↗)
  • Cancer Pain, Constipation Opioid-induced – BL18, BL19, BL20, BL21, CV12 (doi:10.3390/jcm12155083 ↗)
  • Heat Stress, Hyperthermia, Thermal Discomfort – LI11, BL15, BL19, GV14 (doi:10.5937/fme2403411z ↗)
  • Hypochondriac Pain, Colic Gallbladder – ST36, BL18, BL19, GB24, GB34, GB40, LV03, LV14 (doi:10.1016/j.jtcms.2025.09.006 ↗)
  • Insomnia, And Gallbladder Qi Heart Deficiency – BL15, BL19, GB40 (doi:10.1155/ijcp/6940576 ↗)
  • Fatigue, Digestive Weakness, Anxiety Generalized – BL14, BL15, BL18, BL19, BL20, BL23, BL62, KD06 (doi:10.19917/j.cnki.1005-0779.023178 ↗)
  • Anxiety, Insomnia Chronic – SP06, HT07, BL15, BL19, BL20, BL23, BL62, KD06 (doi:10.27044/d.cnki.ggzzu.2024.000169 ↗)
  • Dysmenorrhea, Endometriosis, Ovarian Cysts, Infertility Female, Acne Hormonal – LI04, ST25, ST29, ST36, SP06, SP09, BL18, BL19, BL20, BL21, BL25, BL32, GB20, GB34, LV03, CV02, CV04, CV07, CV13, GV14, XH01A (doi:10.3889/oamjms.2018.379 ↗)
  • Infertility Male, Sperm Motility Low, Sperm Quality Poor – LI04, ST25, ST29, ST36, SP06, SP09, BL18, BL19, BL20, BL21, BL25, BL32, GB20, GB34, LV03, CV02, CV04, CV07, CV13, GV14, XH01A (doi:10.3889/oamjms.2018.379 ↗)
  • Anxiety, Fibromyalgia, Whole-body Pain, Mood Depressive – ST25, ST27, ST36, SP04, SP06, HT07, SI03, BL16, BL18, BL19, BL20, BL21, BL23, BL62, KD03, KD06, TB05, LV03, LV08 (doi:10.7759/cureus.74385 ↗)
  • Fatigue, Anxiety, Insomnia, Cognitive Impairment, Depression Major, Mood Dysphoric – LI04, ST08, SP06, BL13, BL17, BL19, BL42, BL46, BL48, KD01, LV03, CV06, CV12, CV15, GV20, XH03 (doi:10.3389/fmed.2022.761419 ↗)
  • Depression Mild-to-moderate, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Depression Mild-moderate – LI04, ST25, ST36, ST37, ST39, SP09, BL15, BL17, BL18, BL19, BL25, LV03, CV04, CV06, CV09, CV10, CV12, GV20, XH03 (doi:10.27044/d.cnki.ggzzu.2024.000867 ↗)
  • Depression, Acute Depressive Disorder – BL13, BL17, BL19, BL42, BL46, BL48, KD01 (doi:10.2147/NDT.S601078 ↗)
  • Myopia, Reduced Visual Acuity, Eye Strain – LU01, LU02, LI20, ST01, ST02, ST03, ST36, ST40, SP03, SP06, SP09, SP10, SI18, BL02, BL13, BL15, BL18, BL19, BL20, BL21, BL23, BL40, BL57, KD01, KD03, PC06, PC08, TB05, TB17, TB23, GB01, GB14, GB20, GB34, LV03, GV04, GV14, GV16, XH03, XH04, XH05 (doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000046414 ↗)
  • Depression, Insomnia – LU07, LI04, BL15, BL19, BL23, KD06, LV03, GV20, XH03 (doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20230822-k0001 ↗)
  • Obesity Simple – LI04, LI11, LI14, ST24, ST25, ST27, ST32, ST34, ST36, ST40, SP04, SP06, SP10, SP15, BL13, BL15, BL17, BL18, BL19, BL20, BL21, BL23, BL25, BL27, PC06, LV03, CV04, CV06, CV10, CV12 (doi:10.1016/s0254-6272(08)60033-3 ↗)
  • Dementia Senile – ST36, ST40, SP03, SP06, BL15, BL18, BL19, BL20, BL23, KD01, KD03, PC06, PC08, LV02, LV03, LV13, LV14, CV04, CV06, CV14, CV17, XH01A, XH01B, XH01C, XH01D, XH05 (doi:10.1016/s0254-6272(09)60071-6 ↗)
  • Post-thoracotomy Pain, Postoperative Pain – ST36, BL12, BL13, BL14, BL15, BL16, BL17, BL18, BL19 (doi:10.1186/1471-2253-6-5 ↗)
  • Infertility, Infertility Female, Infertility Male – LI04, ST25, ST29, ST36, SP06, SP09, BL18, BL19, BL20, BL21, BL25, BL32, GB20, GB34, LV03, CV02, CV04, CV07, CV13, GV14, XH01A, XH01B, XH01C, XH01D (doi:10.3889/oamjms.2018.379 ↗)
  • Gallstones, Cholelithiasis – BL19, GB24, GB34, LV13, XL06 (doi:10.1097/MCG.0000000000001487 ↗)
  • Depression, Insomnia – BL15, BL19, PC06, GB34, GV20, XH03 (doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20220730-k0001 ↗)
  • Depression, Insomnia – LU07, LI04, BL15, BL19, BL23, KD06, LV03, GV20, XH03, XH16 (doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20230822-k0001 ↗)
  • Atherosclerosis Carotid – ST09, BL15, BL17, BL19, PC06, GB34, CV04, CV06, CV10, CV12, GV20, XH03 (doi:10.13702/j.1000-0607.20230354 ↗)
  • Insomnia, Weight Loss, Bloating Abdominal, Eating Disorder Arfid – LI04, ST19, ST20, ST24, ST25, ST36, ST40, SP04, SP06, HT07, SI03, BL15, BL19, BL20, BL21, BL22, KD06, PC06 (doi:10.7759/cureus.61912 ↗)
  • Fibromyalgia, Chronic Pain – ST25, ST27, ST36, SP04, SP06, SI03, BL19, BL21, BL62, KD03, KD06, TB05, LV08 (doi:10.7759/cureus.74385 ↗)
  • Myopia – LU01, LU02, LI20, ST01, ST02, ST03, ST36, ST40, SP03, SP06, SP09, SP10, SI18, BL02, BL13, BL15, BL18, BL19, BL20, BL21, BL23, BL40, BL57, KD01, KD03, PC06, PC08, TB05, TB17, TB23, GB01, GB14, GB20, GB34, LV03, GV04, GV14, GV16, XH03, XH04, XH05 (doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000046414 ↗)
  • Anxiety, Sleep Disorder, Depression Subthreshold – BL13, BL17, BL18, BL19, BL42, BL46, BL47, BL48, CV11, CV12 (doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20250609-0004 ↗)
  • Urticaria Chronic – BL17, BL19 (doi:10.1155/2020/6598708 ↗)
  • Esophagitis, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) – ST36, BL18, BL19, PC06, LV03, CV12 (doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.2017.07.012 ↗)
  • Depression – LI04, BL15, BL17, BL18, BL19, LV03, GV20, XH03 (doi:10.1016/J.WJAM.2019.07.003 ↗)
  • Hypochondriac Pain, Hypochondriac Pain – BL17, BL18, BL19, BL20, PC06, TB05, TB06, GB24, GB34, GB41, LV14 (Deadman, Al-Khafaji & Baker, A Manual of Acupuncture – point group actions)
  • Damp Liver, Damp Gallbladder, Heat Liver, Heat Gallbladder, Damp Liver, Damp Gallbladder, Heat Liver, Heat Gallbladder – LI11, ST02, ST19, ST20, ST25, SP09, SP16, SI04, BL01, BL02, BL19, XB02T10 (Yang Yong-Xuan, clinical point-selection notes)
  • Qi Rebellious Stomach, Qi Rebellious Stomach – LI11, ST09, ST10, ST11, ST12, ST19, ST20, ST24, ST34, ST44, SP14, BL14, BL16, BL17, BL19, BL21, KD18, KD19, KD21, KD23, KD24, KD25, KD26 (Yang Yong-Xuan, clinical point-selection notes)
  • Liver Cancer Pain, Moderate To Severe Pain – BL18, BL19, LV14 (Wang CJ, Tan W, Huang XH, Fu TT, Lin JZ, Bu JM, Wei GJ, Du Y. Curative effect of Dingqi analgesic patch on cancer pain: a single-blind randomized controlled trail. J Tradit Chin Med. 2013;33(2):176-180)
  • Anxiety, Depression, Sexual Dysfunction, Sleep Disorders, Loss Appetite – LI04, BL15, BL17, BL18, BL19, LV03, GV20 (Fan Ling, Fu Wenbin, Chen Zhao, Xu Nenggui, Liu Jianhua, Lǚ Aiping, Li Ziping, Su Shengyong, Wu Taixiang, Ou Aihua. Curative effect of acupuncture on quality of life in patient with depression: a clinical randomized single-blind placebo-controlled study. J Tradit Chin Med 2016; 36(2): 151-159)
  • Asthma – BL12, BL13, BL18, BL19, GV08, GV14 (Clinical Assessment of Acupuncture for the Treatment of Chronic Asthma. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01931696)
  • Jaundice – SI03, SI04, BL19, BL48, KD01, KD07, PC08, CV12, GV09 (杨薇付修文李月玲杨华升. 古代针灸歌赋中治疗黄疸的穴位分析. 继续医学教育 ., 2018 [CNKI])
  • Eczema, Atopic Dermatitis, Eczema Atopic, Pruritus Skin – LI11, ST25, ST36, SP10, BL13, BL15, BL17, BL19, BL22, BL40, CV12, GV14 (刘悦汤晓冬李伟红 翟舒婕余洋. 基于Apriori算法的针灸治疗特应性皮炎选取腧穴规律研究. 河北医学 ., 2023 [CNKI])
  • Acne, Damp-heat Pattern Skin – LI04, LI11, ST36, ST44, SP06, SP09, SI18, BL18, BL19, GV14 (刘慧萍. 刮痧结合针剌治疗湿热蕴结型痤疮的临床疗效观察. , [CNKI])
  • Depression – LI04, BL15, BL17, BL18, BL19, LV03, GV20, XH03 (Fan Ling et al.. [Impacts of acupuncture and moxibustion on outcome indeices of depression patients' subjective reports].. Zhongguo zhen jiu = Chinese acupuncture & moxibustion, 2012)

Most often selected alongside BL19

How many sourced protocols in the index pair each point with BL19. Corpus frequency, not a combination to use.

  • BL18Liver Shu Point30 protocols
  • BL15Heart Shu Point25 protocols
  • ST36Leg Three Miles23 protocols
  • BL17Diaphragm Shu Point20 protocols
  • LV03Great Surge19 protocols
  • BL20Spleen Shu Point17 protocols
  • SP06Three Yin Intersection16 protocols
  • BL21Stomach Shu Point15 protocols
  • LI04Junction Valley14 protocols
  • GB34Yang Mound Spring13 protocols
  • BL23Kidney Shu Point12 protocols
  • PC06Inner Gate12 protocols

Other points on the Bladder Meridian

BL01BL02BL03BL04BL05BL06BL07BL08BL09BL10BL11BL12BL13BL14BL15BL16BL17BL18BL20BL21BL22BL23BL24BL25BL26BL27BL28BL29BL30BL31BL32BL33BL34BL35BL36BL37BL38BL39BL40BL41BL42BL43BL44BL45BL46BL47BL48BL49BL50BL51BL52BL53BL54BL55BL56BL57BL58BL59BL60BL61BL62BL63BL64BL65BL66BL67