Location
1.5 thumb widths lateral to the du mai at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 2nd thoracic vertebra.
Cautions
Avoid deep perpendicular needling.
Indications
Conditions for which BL12 is listed as indicated. An indication list is a reference index, not a prescription – see the protocols below for sourced treatments.
Aversion ColdAversion ColdAversion WindAversion WindBenefit Descend Qi LungBenefit NoseBenefit NoseBenefit Regulate Qi LungCarbuncle BackCarbuncle BackCommon ColdNasal CongestionNasal CongestionCoughCoughing BloodCoughing BloodCough ExcessiveCough ExcessiveDescend Qi LungDesire Keep Eyes ClosedDesire Keep Eyes ClosedDischarge Nasal ClearDischarge Nasal ClearDischarge Nasal ExcessiveDischarge Nasal ExcessiveDischarge Nasal WateryDischarge Nasal WateryDizzinessShortness of BreathEyesight / Vision DizzyDizzy VisionFeverFlaccidity IntersticesFlaccidity IntersticesHeat ChestHeat ChestHead StiffnessStiff NeckImmobility HeadImmobility NeckInjury ColdInjury ColdNosebleedBack PainBack PainLower Back PainLower Back PainChest PainChest PainHeadacheHeadacheShoulder PainShoulder PainRegulate Qi LungRelease ExteriorRelease ExteriorRestlessness InsomniaRestlessness InsomniaRhinitisShiveringExcessive SneezingExcessive SneezingWind Cold SyndromeWind-cold SyndromeWind Cough Taxation SyndromeWind-cough Taxation SyndromeWind Exhaustion SyndromeWind-exhaustion SyndromeHivesVomitingExterior WeaknessExterior WeaknessQi Defensive WeaknessQi Defensive WeaknessWind
Protocols using BL12
- Headache Migraine, Headache Migraine Episodic – LI04, ST08, SP06, BL02, BL12, TB05, GB04, GB08, GB20, GB34, LV03, GV20 (https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2020.570335)
- Asthma – BL12, BL13, BL18, BL19, GV08, GV14 (Clinical Assessment of Acupuncture for the Treatment of Chronic Asthma. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01931696)
- Cough, Asthma, Shortness Of Breath, Chest Tightness, Wheeze – BL12, BL13, GV14 (https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-015-0947-z)
- Neck Pain, Cervicalgia – SI12, SI14, BL11, BL12, TB15, GB21 (https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-025-04891-1)
- Chronic Pain, Post-thoracotomy Pain, Acute Pain – ST36, BL12, BL13, BL14, BL15, BL16, BL17, BL18, BL19 (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtcvs.2008.07.053)
- Cough Chronic, Copd, Dyspnea, Exercise Intolerance, Sputum Production – ST36, BL12, CV17 (https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/8165296)
- Pain, Lung Cancer – ST36, BL12, GB34 (Acupuncture for Post-Thoracotomy Pain. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00142532)
- Copd, Reduced Lung Function – ST36, BL12, CV04, CV06, CV08, CV12 (https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-020-02899-3)
- Cough, Copd, Dyspnea – BL12, BL13, BL20, BL23, CV04, CV22 (https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2026.1786971)
- Cough, Phlegm, Wheezing, Copd – ST36, ST40, BL12, BL20, KD01 (https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-020-02899-3)
- Cough, Phlegm, Copd – LU07, LU09, ST36, ST40, SP06, BL12, BL13, BL20, BL23, KD03, CV12 (https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-020-02899-3)
- Urticaria Chronic Wind-cold Type – SI12, BL12, TB17, GB20, GB31, GV16 (https://doi.org/10.27021/d.cnki.gfjzc.2025.000109)