Location
1.5 thumb widths lateral to the du5 at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 1st lumbar vertebra.
Cautions
Avoid deep perpendicular needling.
Indications
Conditions for which BL22 is listed as indicated. An indication list is a reference index, not a prescription – see the protocols below for sourced treatments.
Arthritis HipArthritis HipArthritis Sacroiliac JointArthritis Sacroiliac JointBackBenefit DigestionBenefit DigestionBenefit Regulate SanjiaoBenefit Regulate SpleenBenefit Regulate StomachBenefit Regulate Water PassagesStomach RumblingStomach RumblingChills AlternatingChills AlternatingConstriction OesophagusConstriction OesophagusDampDiarrheaGastrointestinal DisorderGastrointestinal DisorderReproductive System DisorderReproductive System DisorderAbdominal BloatingAbdominal BloatingDryness LipsDryness LipsDysenteryErectile DysfunctionErectile / Impotence ProblemsUrinary ProblemsUrinary ProblemsUrination Low ProblemsUrination Low ProblemsEmaciationEmaciation FemaleEmaciation FemaleEyesight / Vision DizzyDizzy VisionFeverFibroids / MassesFibroids MassesFibroids / Masses Ji Ju HypogastriumFibroids Masses Ji Ju HypogastriumFibroids / Masses Ji Ju ZangduFibroids Masses Ji Ju ZangduFibroids / Masses Zheng Ju FemaleFibroids Masses Zheng Ju FemaleHeatHigh Blood PressureHigh Blood PressureBack StiffnessShoulder StiffnessImmobility BackImmobility ShoulderInfertilityInjury HipInjury HipInjury Sacroiliac JointInjury Sacroiliac JointJaundiceLibido LossLibido LossMyalgia Back Long ExtensorsMyalgia Back Long ExtensorsEdemaLower Back PainLower Back PainHeadacheHeadacheHip PainHip PainJoint Sacroiliac PainJoint Sacroiliac PainLumbar Spine PainLumbar Spine PainStomach AcheStomach AchePeriod DysfunctionPeriod / Menstruation DysfunctionPeriod / Menstruation Premenstrual Syndrome / PmsPeriod Premenstrual Syndrome PmsRegulate SanjiaoRegulate SpleenRegulate StomachRegulate Water PassagesSanjiao StagnationSanjiao StagnationUndigested Food in StoolUndigested Food in StoolStressDeficiency Taxation SyndromeDeficiency-taxation SyndromeTaste BitternessTaste BitternessUrine BloodUrine BloodUrine WhiteUrine WhiteVomiting
Protocols using BL22
- Back Low Pain, Claudication Neurogenic, Leg Radiating Pain, Spondylolisthesis Lumbar Degenerative – LI04, ST36, BL22, BL23, BL24, BL25, LV03 (https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000010667)
- Headache, Sore Throat, Joint Pain, Muscle Pain, Fatigue Chronic, Sleep Unrefreshing, Memory Impaired, Fatigue Post-exertional, Cold Intolerance, Concentration Impaired, Yang Deficiency Spleen-kidney, Lumbar Weakness – BL11, BL13, BL14, BL15, BL17, BL18, BL19, BL20, BL21, BL22, BL23, BL25, GV02, GV03, GV04, GV05, GV06, GV07, GV08, GV09, GV10, GV11, GV12, GV13, GV14 (https://doi.org/10.1186/s12967-023-04250-z)
- 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)
- 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)
- Leg Pain, Buttock Pain, Low Back Pain, Mobility Reduced, Spinal Stenosis Lumbar, Neurogenic Claudication – ST36, ST40, BL22, BL23, BL24, BL25, BL26, BL53, BL54, GB30, GB31, GB34, LV03, GV03, GV04, GV05 (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.imr.2025.101204)
- Dysmenorrhea, Menstrual Pain, Mood Changes, Damp-heat Lower-jiao – LI11, ST28, ST29, ST40, SP06, SP09, BL22, BL32, GB34, LV02 (https://doi.org/10.1093/ecam/nep239)
- 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)
- Anxiety Procedural, Procedural Pain – BL21, BL22, BL23, BL52, GB25 (https://doi.org/10.1097/j.pain.0000000000000734)
- Constriction Oesophagus – LU10, ST18, SP04, BL17, BL22, BL43, BL44, LV13, CV14, CV16, CV17, CV22, GV20 (DEADMAN-COMPOSITE)
- Lumbar Spine Pain – LI04, ST28, BL16, BL22, BL28, BL29, BL39, BL56, KD15, GB20, GB40, LV13, CV07, GV04, GV09 (DEADMAN-COMPOSITE)
- Stomach Rumbling – LI03, LI06, LI07, LI09, ST16, ST19, ST20, ST21, ST22, ST25, ST36, ST37, ST43, ST44, SP03, SP04, SP05, SP06, SP07, SP17, BL16, BL21, BL22, BL23, BL25, BL32, BL34, BL47, BL48, BL53, KD16, KD19, PC06, GB25, LV03, LV13, CV07, CV08, CV09, CV13, GV09, XH47 (DEADMAN-COMPOSITE)
- Undigested Food in Stool – ST21, ST25, ST36, SP03, SP04, SP05, SP06, SP09, SP16, SP17, BL20, BL21, BL22, BL23, BL25, BL43, BL53, BL66, KD20, LV13, CV04, CV05, CV10, CV12, CV13 (DEADMAN-COMPOSITE)