Location
1.5 thumb widths lateral to the du mai at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 12th thoracic vertebra.
Cautions
Avoid deep perpendicular needling.
Indications
Conditions for which BL21 is listed as indicated. An indication list is a reference index, not a prescription – see the protocols below for sourced treatments.
Appetite Strong Unable To EatAppetite Strong Unable To EatPoor AppetitePoor AppetiteBenefit Descend RebellionBenefit DigestionBenefit DigestionBenefit Regulate Jiao MiddleBenefit Regulate StomachStomach RumblingStomach RumblingCold StomachCold StomachContraction BackContraction Back(infant) Nutrition DeficiencyInfantile Nutrition DeficiencyDescend RebellionDiarrheaTurmoil DisorderTurmoil DisorderAbdominal BloatingAbdominal BloatingStomach BloatingStomach BloatingEyesight / Vision DimDim VisionFibroids / Masses Ji Abdomen Long TermFibroids Masses Ji Abdomen Long TermAbdominal FullnessAbdominal FullnessCostal Lateral FullnessCostal Lateral FullnessEpigastrium FullnessEpigastrium FullnessTendon Ligament Contraction StiffnessImmobility Tendon / Ligament ContractionJaundiceMalariaEdemaBack PainBack PainChest PainChest PainUpper Stomach PainUpper Stomach PainRectal ProlapseRectal ProlapseReflux StomachReflux StomachRegulate Jiao MiddleRegulate StomachUndigested Food in StoolUndigested Food in StoolTympanites / Drum BellyTympanites Drum BellyVomitingVomiting FluidVomiting FluidVomiting Milk (infant)Vomiting Milk InfantileVomiting Previous Day's FoodVomiting Previous Day's FoodWeight Low Despite AppetiteWeight Low Despite Appetite
Protocols using BL21
- Diarrhea, Abdominal Pain, Ulcerative Colitis, Blood In Stool – ST25, ST36, SP04, BL16, BL20, BL21, BL22, BL25, KD03, CV04, GV02, GV06 (https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-020-03101-4)
- Airway Hyperresponsiveness, Asthma Intermittent, Asthma Mild – LU01, LU05, LU07, LU09, LU11, LI04, LI06, LI20, ST13, ST25, ST36, ST40, ST44, SP03, SP06, SP09, SP10, HT03, HT05, HT07, SI03, BL13, BL17, BL18, BL20, BL21, BL23, KD03, KD06, KD08, KD27, PC06, TB05, TB15, GB03, GB34, GB40, GB41, LV02, LV03, LV08, LV13, CV04, CV06, CV09, CV17, CV21, GV04, GV13 (https://doi.org/10.1186/s13052-015-0155-1)
- 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)
- Hyperglycemia, Insulin Resistance, Type 2 Diabetes – LI04, LI11, ST36, SP06, SP09, SP10, BL13, BL17, BL20, BL21, BL22, BL23, BL52, KD03, CV04, CV06, CV12 (https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2017.4379)
- Renal Colic Pain – BL21, BL22, BL23, BL24, BL26, BL45, BL46, BL47, BL48, BL49 (Acupuncture Versus Titrated Morphine in Patients With Renal Colic. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02781415)
- Nausea, Bloating, Heartburn, Dyspepsia Functional, Abdominal Pain Epigastric, Early Satiety, Postprandial Fullness – BL21, CV12 (https://doi.org/10.1186/1745-6215-10-75)
- Obesity, Overweight, Waist Circumference Elevated – LI11, ST24, ST25, ST36, ST40, BL20, BL21, TB06, CV09, CV12 (https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/4780019)
- Obesity, Appetite Excessive, Overweight – ST25, BL20, BL21, BL25, LV13, CV12 (https://doi.org/10.2147/DMSO.S487877)
- 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)
- 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)
- Proteinuria, Nephropathy Diabetic, Renal Function Impaired, Hemorheology Abnormal – SP06, BL13, BL21, BL23, KD03 (https://doi.org/10.13702/j.1000-0607.20210036)
- Hyperglycemia, Prediabetes, Impaired Glucose Tolerance – LI04, ST36, ST37, ST39, ST40, SP06, SP09, BL18, BL20, BL21, LV03, LV13, LV14, CV12, GV09 (https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-017-2014-4)