BL20 Pishu (Spleen Shu Point)

脾俞pí shūPishu

Bladder Meridian

Location of acupuncture point BL20 Pishu (Spleen Shu Point)
43
Indications
489
Protocols
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Location

1.5 thumb widths lateral to the GV06 at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 11th thoracic vertebra.

Categories

  • Back-Shu point of the Spleen

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 BL20 is listed as indicated. An indication list is a reference index, not a prescription – see the protocols below for sourced treatments.

Poor AppetiteChillsCold Qi SpleenCoughDamp(infant) Nutrition DeficiencyInfantile Nutrition DeficiencySpleen Qi DeficiencyDiarrheaAbdominal BloatingFocal BloatingDysenteryFeverFibroids / Masses Ju JuFibroids Masses Ju JuAbdominal FullnessVomiting FullnessGhost Syndrome Childhood Fright Wind ChronicHaemorrhage ChronicJaundiceMalarial DiseaseMenorrhagiaMyalgia Back Long ExtensorsAbdominal PainBack PainLower Back PainRib PainShoulder PainSkin PainUterine ProlapseMuscle SpasmsBlood in StoolUndigested Food in StoolDeficiency Taxation SyndromeDeficiency-taxation SyndromeTympanites / Drum BellyTympanites Drum BellyUrine BloodUrine CloudyUrine WhiteVomiting BloodWeight Low Despite AppetiteYawning

TCM actions

What classical sources say BL20 does in the terms of Chinese medicine theory. These describe the point, not a condition.

Benefit Regulate BloodBenefit Regulate Qi Jiao MiddleBenefit Tonify Qi SpleenBenefit Tonify Yang SpleenRegulate BloodRegulate Qi Jiao MiddleTonify Qi SpleenTonify Yang Spleen

Protocols using BL20

The 50 best-sourced of 489, ranked by strength of evidence. The count above is the full figure.

  • Period Short, Period Scanty, Period Low, Period Light, Hypomenorrhea Follicular, Kidney Qi Weakness, Kidney Jing Weakness, Mai Ren Deficiency, Mai Chong Deficiency, Restore Yin, Yang Weakness, Facial Paralysis, Facial Paralysis, Period Short, Period Scanty, Period Low, Period Light, Hypomenorrhea Follicular, Kidney Qi Weakness, Kidney Jing Weakness, Mai Ren Deficiency, Mai Chong Deficiency, Restore Yin, Yang Weakness – BL17, BL20, BL23, KD03, CV04 (doi:10.1016/S0254-6272(09)60059-5 ↗)
  • Facial Paralysis, Facial Paralysis – BL17, BL20, BL23, KD03, CV04 (doi:10.1016/S0254-6272(09)60059-5 ↗)
  • Hypomenorrhea, Menstrual Irregular – BL17, BL20, BL23, KD03, CV04 (doi:10.1016/s0254-6272(09)60059-5 ↗)
  • Dysmenorrhea Primary – ST28, BL20, BL31, BL32, BL33, BL34, LV03 (doi:10.1016/s0254-6272(09)60035-2 ↗)
  • Dysmenorrhea Primary – ST25, BL18, BL20, BL23, CV03, CV04, GV20 (doi:10.1016/s0254-6272(09)60035-2 ↗)
  • 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 ↗)
  • Lassitude, Abdominal Distention, Chloasma, Shoulder Pain, Loose Stool, Neck Muscular Pain, Quick Temper – LI04, ST02, ST04, ST06, ST36, SP06, SP10, HT07, SI18, BL13, BL17, BL18, BL20, BL23, PC06, LV03 (doi:10.1016/s0254-6272(09)60017-0 ↗)
  • 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 ↗)
  • Limbs Numbness, Limbs Pain, Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy, Abnormal Sensation Limbs – LI04, LI10, LI11, LI15, ST09, ST31, ST32, ST34, ST36, ST40, ST43, ST44, SP03, SP06, SP08, SP09, SP10, BL13, BL17, BL18, BL20, BL23, GB34, CV04, CV06 (doi:10.1016/s0254-6272(10)60003-9 ↗)
  • Abdominal Distention, Limbs Weakness, Nasal Obstruction, Sneezing, Loose Stool, Nasal Itching, Nasal Discharge Watery – LU09, LI20, ST36, BL13, BL20, GB20 (doi:10.1016/s0254-6272(09)60062-5 ↗)
  • 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 ↗)
  • Cough Chronic – LI04, BL13, BL20, BL21, CV12, CV17, CV22 (doi:10.1016/s0254-6272(09)60022-4 ↗)
  • Sputum, Cough Chronic, Appetite Poor – LI04, BL13, BL20, BL21, CV17, CV22 (doi:10.1016/s0254-6272(09)60022-4 ↗)
  • 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 ↗)
  • Immune Deficiency, Immune Dysregulation – ST36, BL18, BL20, BL23 (doi:10.1093/ecam/nel107 ↗)
  • Dysmenorrhea, Menstrual Pain, Mood Changes, Qi-blood Deficiency – ST36, SP06, SP08, BL17, BL20, BL32, CV04, CV06 (doi:10.1093/ecam/nep239 ↗)
  • 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 ↗)
  • Knee Pain, Osteoarthritis Knee, Stiffness Joint – ST06, ST34, ST35, ST36, SP04, SP05, SP06, SP09, SP10, BL20, BL40, BL57, BL58, BL60, BL62, KD03, KD10, GB33, GB34, LV08 (doi:10.1155/2013/182528 ↗)
  • Joint Pain, Muscle Pain, Fatigue Chronic, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Sleep Unrefreshing, Fatigue Post-exertional – BL11, BL13, BL15, BL18, BL20, BL23, GB20, GV20 (doi:10.1186/s13063-015-0857-0 ↗)
  • Incontinence Urinary Stress, Incontinence Urinary Mixed, Incontinence Urinary Urgency – SP03, SP06, BL14, BL18, BL20, BL23, BL28, BL31, BL32, BL33, BL34, KD03, KD07, PC06, LV03, CV03, CV04, CV06, GV04, GV20 (doi:10.1136/acupmed-2015-010828 ↗)
  • Asthma, Wheezing, Dyspnea – BL13, BL20, BL23, GV14 (doi:10.1155/2015/846851 ↗)
  • Anxiety, Back Pain, Miscarriage Threatened, Bleeding Vaginal, Cramping Abdominal – LU07, LI11, ST36, ST37, SP01, SP04, HT07, BL20, BL23, BL57, BL62, KD06, KD09, KD21, KD27, PC06, TB04, TB05, TB06, GB30, GB34, GB41, LV02, LV03, CV04, GV04, GV20 (doi:10.1186/s12884-016-1092-8 ↗)
  • COPD, Dyspnea Exertional, Respiratory Obstruction – LU01, LU09, LI18, ST36, BL13, BL20, BL23, GB12 (doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000004879 ↗)
  • Hyperglycemia, Prediabetes, Impaired Glucose Tolerance – LI04, ST36, ST37, ST39, ST40, SP06, SP09, BL18, BL20, BL21, LV03, LV13, LV14, CV12, GV09 (doi:10.1186/s13063-017-2014-4 ↗)
  • Bone Pain, Back Low Pain, Osteoporosis Primary – BL20, BL23, GV03, GV04 (doi:10.12659/MSM.909725 ↗)
  • Weight Loss, COPD, Dyspnea, Malnutrition, Exercise Intolerance – LU01, LU09, LI18, ST36, BL13, BL20, BL23, KD03, GB12, CV04, CV12 (doi:10.1186/s12906-018-2341-3 ↗)
  • Osteoporosis, Bone Pain, Muscle Weakness, Fracture Risk – ST36, SP06, BL11, BL20, BL23, BL40, KD03, CV04, GV03, GV04 (doi:10.1155/2019/2705263 ↗)
  • Dysmenorrhea Primary, Menstrual Pain, Pelvic Pain – LI04, ST28, ST36, SP10, BL20, BL32, BL54, LV03 (doi:10.1155/2019/7978180 ↗)
  • Lung Cancer, Dyspnea, Pneumonitis Radiation, Inflammation Pulmonary – LU01, LU02, LU09, LI04, ST36, BL13, BL20, BL23, KD03, PC06, GB12, LV03, CV04, CV12, GV14 (doi:10.1177/1534735420908327 ↗)
  • Cough, Phlegm, COPD – LU07, LU09, ST36, ST40, SP06, BL12, BL13, BL20, BL23, KD03, CV12 (doi:10.1186/s12906-020-02899-3 ↗)
  • Cough, Phlegm, Wheezing, COPD – ST36, ST40, BL12, BL20, KD01 (doi:10.1186/s12906-020-02899-3 ↗)
  • COPD, Reduced Quality Of Life – BL13, BL15, BL18, BL20, BL23 (doi:10.1186/s12906-020-02899-3 ↗)
  • Overweight, Obesity Simple, Bmi Elevated – LI04, LI11, ST21, ST24, ST25, ST26, ST27, ST28, ST32, ST34, ST36, ST37, ST39, ST40, ST44, SP04, SP06, SP09, SP14, SP15, SP16, BL20, BL21, TB06, GB26, LV13, CV04, CV06, CV07, CV09, CV10, CV12, CV13 (doi:10.1155/2020/2367610 ↗)
  • Diarrhea, Abdominal Pain, Ulcerative Colitis, Blood In Stool – ST25, ST36, SP04, BL20, BL21, BL23, BL25, KD03, CV04, CV12 (doi:10.1186/s12906-020-03101-4 ↗)
  • Diarrhea, Abdominal Pain, Ulcerative Colitis, Blood In Stool – ST25, ST36, SP06, BL18, BL20, BL23, GV01 (doi:10.1186/s12906-020-03101-4 ↗)
  • Diarrhea, Abdominal Pain, Ulcerative Colitis, Blood In Stool – ST25, ST36, SP04, BL16, BL20, BL21, BL22, BL25, KD03, CV04, GV02, GV06 (doi:10.1186/s12906-020-03101-4 ↗)
  • 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 ↗)
  • Proteinuria, Chronic Kidney Disease, Renal Insufficiency, Elevated Creatinine – ST36, SP06, BL20, BL23, CV04, GV04 (doi:10.1155/2020/6128673 ↗)
  • Vomiting, Nausea, Abdominal Pain, Abdominal Bloating, Postprandial Fullness, Satiety Early, Gastroparesis Diabetic, Loss Of Appetite – ST21, ST25, ST36, SP06, BL18, BL20, BL21, BL23, PC06, CV12 (doi:10.1155/2021/6649331 ↗)
  • Anxiety, Stool Loose, Menstruation Irregular, Vision Visual Field Defect, Vision Blind Spot, Neck Myofascial Pain – LI04, LI10, ST36, SP03, SP06, SP09, SP10, HT08, SI03, SI13, BL10, BL18, BL20, BL22, BL23, BL65, PC06, PC07, GB20, GB21, GB34, LV03, GV14, GV20, MS14 (doi:10.1177/21649561211021081 ↗)
  • Obesity, Obesity Abdominal, Overweight, Waist Circumference Elevated – LI11, ST24, ST25, ST36, ST40, BL20, BL21, TB06, CV09, CV12 (doi:10.1155/2022/4780019 ↗)
  • Fatigue, Depression, Insomnia, Poor Appetite, Lower Limb Weakness, Upper Limb Weakness, Muscle Atrophy Progressive, Paralysis Motor Neuron – LI04, LI10, LI11, LI15, ST32, ST36, ST41, SP06, BL18, BL20, BL23, KD03, PC06, TB05, GB20, GB34, CV04, CV06, CV12, CV23, GV14, GV20 (doi:10.1155/2022/6541600 ↗)
  • Obesity, Overweight – ST25, ST40, BL20, CV12 (doi:10.3389/fendo.2022.952373 ↗)
  • Cough, Wheezing, Spontaneous Sweating, Dyspnea, Shortness Of Breath, Chest Tightness, Sputum Expectoration, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease – BL13, BL20, BL23 (doi:10.1155/2022/4084505 ↗)

Most often selected alongside BL20

How many sourced protocols in the index pair each point with BL20. Corpus frequency, not a combination to use.

  • ST36Leg Three Miles285 protocols
  • BL23Kidney Shu Point283 protocols
  • SP06Three Yin Intersection162 protocols
  • BL18Liver Shu Point155 protocols
  • CV04Original Qi Gate147 protocols
  • CV12Stomach Centre125 protocols
  • BL13Lung Shu Point113 protocols
  • BL21Stomach Shu Point110 protocols
  • CV06Sea Of Qi100 protocols
  • BL15Heart Shu Point93 protocols
  • PC06Inner Gate82 protocols
  • LI04Junction Valley81 protocols

Other points on the Bladder Meridian

BL01BL02BL03BL04BL05BL06BL07BL08BL09BL10BL11BL12BL13BL14BL15BL16BL17BL18BL19BL21BL22BL23BL24BL25BL26BL27BL28BL29BL30BL31BL32BL33BL34BL35BL36BL37BL38BL39BL40BL41BL42BL43BL44BL45BL46BL47BL48BL49BL50BL51BL52BL53BL54BL55BL56BL57BL58BL59BL60BL61BL62BL63BL64BL65BL66BL67