Location
1.5 thumb widths lateral to the du8 at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 9th thoracic vertebra.
Cautions
Avoid deep perpendicular needling.
Indications
Conditions for which BL18 is listed as indicated. An indication list is a reference index, not a prescription – see the protocols below for sourced treatments.
AngerBenefit EyesBenefit EyesBenefit Regulate Liver BloodBenefit Regulate Qi LiverBenefit Tendon LigamentBenefit Tendon / LigamentCoughCoughing BloodCoughing BloodCrampingCramping AbdomenCramping AbdomenDepressionPsychological DisorderPsychological DisorderShan DisorderShan DisorderCostal Lateral BloatingCostal Lateral BloatingFocal BloatingFocal BloatingDizzinessDry MouthDry MouthBreathing Shortness Of Breath ProblemsBreathing Shortness Of Breath ProblemsEpilepsyEyesight / Vision BlurredBlurred VisionEyesight / Vision DizzyDizzy VisionEyesight / Vision Night BlindnessNight Blindness VisionEyesight / Vision Superficial ObstructionSuperficial Obstruction VisionFibroids / Masses JiFibroids Masses JiFibroids / Masses JuFibroids Masses JuChest FullnessChest FullnessCostal Lateral FullnessCostal Lateral FullnessHypogastrium FullnessHypogastrium FullnessHeat FireHeat FireStiff NeckSpinal StiffnessImmobility NeckImmobility SpineItchiness Eye Canthus MedialItchiness Eye Canthus MedialJaundiceLachrymation ExcessiveLachrymation ExcessiveNosebleedNourish Liver BloodNourish Liver BloodOculogyric Crisis Eyes Staring UpwardsOculogyric Crisis Eyes Staring UpwardsOpisthotonosLower Abdominal PainLower Abdominal PainLower Back PainLower Back PainChest PainChest PainRib PainRib PainUpper Stomach PainUpper Stomach PainLower Abdominal PainLower Abdominal PainNeck PainNeck PainNose PainNose PainRedness PainRedness PainShoulder PainShoulder PainSpine PainSpine PainSupraorbital PainSupraorbital PainTendon Ligament PainTendon / Ligament PainRed EyesRed EyesRegulate Liver BloodRegulate Qi LiverSaliva BloodSaliva BloodDamp Heat SyndromeDamp-heat SyndromeTetanusTetanyVomiting BloodVomiting BloodWind
Protocols using BL18
- Cerebral Palsy, Motor Dysfunction, Posture Abnormalities – LI04, LI11, ST02, ST25, ST36, ST40, ST44, SP06, HT07, SI19, BL01, BL17, BL18, BL23, BL40, BL60, BL62, KD01, KD03, KD06, PC06, PC08, TB05, TB17, TB21, GB02, GB13, GB14, GB19, LV03, CV06, CV10, CV12, CV13, CV14, CV23, GV17, GV20, GV24 (Yu Hai-bo, Liu Yong-feng & Wu Li-xiong. Acupuncture Combined with Music Therapy for Treatment of 30 Cases of Cerebral Palsy. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2009, 29(4): 243-246)
- 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)
- Hair Loss, Alopecia Seborrheic – BL13, BL17, BL18, GB20, GV14, GV20 (https://doi.org/10.27044/d.cnki.ggzzu.2023.001384)
- Ischemia-reperfusion Injury Liver, Liver Function Impairment, Hepatic Dysfunction Post-operative – BL18 (https://doi.org/10.27137/d.cnki.ghusu.2022.001708)
- Tic Disorders – LI04, LI11, ST04, ST06, ST32, BL02, BL18, KD03, KD17, TB05, GB13, GB20, GB34, LV03, GV08, GV20, GV24 (Acupuncture Treatment in Pediatric Patients With Tic Disorders: A Prospective, Single-Center, Randomized Controlled Trial. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT07071428)
- Cognitive Impairment Memory, Mild Cognitive Impairment Amnestic – BL18, BL23, GV14, GV20 (https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000027686)
- Anxiety, Sweating, Depression, Insomnia, Hot Flashes, Menopause Perimenopause, Mood Disturbance – BL17, BL18, LV03, GV20 (https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2025.1726927)
- Psoriasis, Skin Lesion Plaque – BL13, BL17, BL18, GV14 (https://doi.org/10.13703/j.0255-2930.2014.05.020)
- Anxiety, Low Mood, Depression Cancer-related – ST40, SP06, BL18, BL62 (https://doi.org/10.3389/fonc.2022.1036634)
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fatigue Mental, Fatigue Physical – BL13, BL15, BL18, BL20, BL23 (陈三三刘然吴彬陈晟郭昉薛晓琳王军. 针刺五脏背俞穴治疗慢性疲劳综合征:随机对照试验（英文） OA. World Journal of Acupuncture-Moxibustion ., 2018 [CNKI])
- Epilepsy Drug-resistant, Seizures Focal, Seizures Tonic-clonic – ST40, BL15, BL18, GB34, GV14, GV20 (https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/5871991)
- Dizziness, Headache, Constipation, Depression, Insomnia, Forgetfulness, Palpitation, Dry Mouth, Chest Distress – ST25, ST36, ST37, ST40, SP03, SP06, BL18, KD03, PC06, LV02, LV03, LV14, CV15, GV14, GV20, GV24 (Liu Lan-ying, Lu Qian, Wang Ling-ling. Influence of Electro-Acupuncture on the Side Effects of Fluoxetine on Depression Patients. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2009, 29(4): 271-274)