Location
1.5 thumb widths lateral to the du9 at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 7th thoracic vertebra.
Cautions
Avoid deep perpendicular needling.
Indications
Conditions for which BL17 is listed as indicated. An indication list is a reference index, not a prescription – see the protocols below for sourced treatments.
Aversion ColdAversion ColdBenefit Descend Rebellion QiBenefit DigestionBenefit DigestionBenefit Regulate BloodBenefit Regulate DiaphragmBleedingBoil / Furuncle WoollyBoil Furuncle WoollyClove SoresConstriction OesophagusConstriction OesophagusCoughCoughing BloodCoughing BloodDepressionDescend Rebellion QiDisease BloodDisease BloodDisease Heart AcuteDisease Heart AcuteDisease StomachDisease StomachPsychological DisorderPsychological DisorderSteaming Bone DisorderSteaming Bone Disorder BloatingDizzinessEating ProblemsEating ProblemsShortness of BreathFeverFever TidalFever TidalAbdominal FullnessAbdominal FullnessCostal Lateral FullnessCostal Lateral FullnessHeat BloodHeat BloodHeavinessHiccupsSpinal StiffnessImmobility SpineJaundiceLethargyNosebleedNourish BloodNourish BloodNumbnessOppression ChestOppression ChestPainBack PainBack PainBone PainBone PainUpper Stomach PainUpper Stomach PainHeart PainHeart PainHeart On Eating PainHeart On Eating PainHeart Stabbing PainHeart Stabbing PainSkin PainSkin PainPapulesParalysisPharyngitisReflux StomachReflux StomachRegulate BloodRegulate DiaphragmSaliva BloodSaliva BloodExcessive SleepinessBlood StagnationBlood StagnationBlood in StoolBlood in StoolStretching ExcessiveStretching ExcessiveStrokeSweatingSpontaneous SweatingSpontaneous SweatingNight SweatsSweating Night-time SwellingBi Arthralgia Body SyndromeBi / Arthralgia Body SyndromeWind Cold Acute SyndromeWind-cold Acute SyndromeWind Cold Interior SyndromeWind-cold Interior SyndromeHivesVomitingVomiting BloodVomiting BloodVomiting Previous Day's FoodVomiting Previous Day's FoodHeart Zang WeaknessHeart Zang WeaknessLimbs WeaknessLimbs WeaknessYawning ExcessiveYawning Excessive
Protocols using BL17
- Depression Bipolar – BL13, BL15, BL17, BL18, BL20, BL23 (2024 [CNKI])
- Lactation Insufficiency, Breastfeeding Postpartum – LU01, LI04, ST17, ST18, SP20, SI01, BL17, BL18, BL20, BL21, GB21, CV17 (https://doi.org/10.22038/ijp.2020.54458.4305)
- Hypogalactia, Breastfeeding Insufficiency, Lactation Postpartum – LU01, LI04, ST17, ST18, SP20, SI01, BL17, BL18, BL20, BL21, GB21, CV17 (https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-025-02773-8)
- 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 (https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2022.761419)
- Hypogalactia, Breastfeeding Insufficiency, Lactation Postpartum – LI04, ST11, ST17, SP20, SI01, BL17, BL18, BL20, BL21, GB21, CV16, CV17 (https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-025-02773-8)
- Chemotherapy Nausea, Vomiting Chemotherapy-induced – ST36, BL17, BL19, CV12 (https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/9854893)
- Psoriasis, Skin Lesion Plaque – BL13, BL17, BL18, GV14 (https://doi.org/10.13703/j.0255-2930.2014.05.020)
- Hair Loss, Alopecia Seborrheic – BL13, BL17, BL18, GB20, GV14, GV20 (https://doi.org/10.27044/d.cnki.ggzzu.2023.001384)
- Ischemic Stroke, Persistent Hiccups – BL17 (https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2026.1698913)
- Ischemic Stroke, Persistent Hiccups – ST36, BL17, PC06, CV12, CV17, CV22 (https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2026.1698913)
- Stroke, Persistent Hiccups – ST36, BL17, PC06 (https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2026.1698913)
- 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)