Location
1.5 thumb widths lateral to the du6 at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 11th thoracic vertebra.
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 AppetitePoor AppetiteBenefit Regulate BloodBenefit Regulate Qi Jiao MiddleBenefit Tonify Qi SpleenBenefit Tonify Yang SpleenChillsCold Qi SpleenCold Qi SpleenCoughDamp(infant) Nutrition DeficiencyInfantile Nutrition DeficiencySpleen Qi DeficiencySpleen Qi DeficiencyDiarrheaAbdominal BloatingAbdominal BloatingFocal BloatingFocal BloatingDysenteryFeverFibroids / Masses Ju JuFibroids Masses Ju JuAbdominal FullnessAbdominal FullnessVomiting FullnessVomiting FullnessGhost Syndrome Childhood Fright Wind ChronicGhost Syndrome Childhood Fright Wind ChronicHaemorrhage ChronicHaemorrhage ChronicJaundiceMalarial DiseaseMenorrhagiaMyalgia Back Long ExtensorsMyalgia Back Long ExtensorsAbdominal PainAbdominal PainBack PainBack PainLower Back PainLower Back PainLower Back PainLower Back PainRib PainRib PainShoulder PainShoulder PainSkin PainSkin PainUterine ProlapseUterine ProlapseRegulate BloodRegulate Qi Jiao MiddleMuscle SpasmsMuscle SpasmsBlood in StoolBlood in StoolUndigested Food in StoolUndigested Food in StoolDeficiency Taxation SyndromeDeficiency-taxation SyndromeTonify Qi SpleenTonify Yang SpleenTympanites / Drum BellyTympanites Drum BellyUrine BloodUrine BloodUrine CloudyUrine CloudyUrine WhiteUrine WhiteVomiting BloodVomiting BloodWeight Low Despite AppetiteWeight Low Despite AppetiteYawning
Protocols using BL20
- Anxiety, Insomnia Chronic – SP06, HT07, BL15, BL19, BL20, BL23, BL62, KD06 (https://doi.org/10.27044/d.cnki.ggzzu.2024.000169)
- Post-stroke Depression – LU04, LI04, LI06, LI07, LI10, LI11, LI12, LI13, LI15, ST02, ST32, ST33, ST34, ST36, ST37, ST39, ST40, ST44, SP06, SP10, SP11, HT05, BL15, BL20, BL23, BL61, BL64, KD02, KD03, PC02, PC03, PC06, TB03, TB06, TB07, TB09, TB12, TB14, GB20, GB31, GB33, GB43, LV02, LV03, LV05, LV14, GV20, GV23, GV26 (Acupuncture for Ischemic Post-stroke Depression. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02472613)
- Nausea, Bloating, Epigastric Pain, Dyspepsia Functional – ST25, ST36, ST44, SP04, SP09, BL20, BL21, PC06, LV03, CV12 (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dcmed.2024.01.001)
- 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)
- Copd, Dyspnea Exertional, Exercise Intolerance, Fatigue Leg – LU01, LU09, LI18, ST36, BL13, BL20, BL23, KD03, GB12, CV04, CV12 (https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-024-04353-0)
- Obesity, Overweight – ST25, ST40, BL20, CV12 (https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2022.952373)
- Obesity, Overweight, Waist Circumference Elevated – LI11, ST24, ST25, ST36, ST40, BL20, BL21, TB06, CV09, CV12 (https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/4780019)
- Oral Pain, Stomatitis Aphthous Recurrent, Ulcer Oral Recurrent – ST36, BL15, BL20 (https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000036817)
- 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])
- Diarrhea, Abdominal Pain, Ulcerative Colitis, Blood In Stool – ST25, ST36, SP04, BL20, BL21, BL23, BL25, KD03, CV04, CV12 (https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-020-03101-4)
- Obesity, Appetite Excessive, Overweight – ST25, BL20, BL21, BL25, LV13, CV12 (https://doi.org/10.2147/DMSO.S487877)
- Dry Eye, Perimenopausal Syndrome – BL13, BL15, BL18, BL20, BL23, GB19 (https://doi.org/10.13702/j.1000-0607.20230536)