Location
1.5 thumb widths lateral to the du4 at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 2nd lumbar vertebra.
Cautions
Avoid deep perpendicular needling.
Indications
Conditions for which BL23 is listed as indicated. An indication list is a reference index, not a prescription – see the protocols below for sourced treatments.
AsthmaMuscle WastingBenefit EarsBenefit EarsBenefit EssenceBenefit EssenceBenefit EyesBenefit EyesBenefit Regulate Water PassagesBenefit Tonify KidneysBenefit UrinationBenefit UrinationBenefit UterusBenefit UterusStomach RumblingStomach RumblingCommon ColdCold StomachCold StomachCold UterusCold UterusCold Uterus ChronicCold Uterus ChronicCold VomitingCold VomitingCoughDampExhaustion DeficiencyExhaustion DeficiencyDeafness Kidney DeficiencyDeafness Kidney DeficiencyQi DeficiencyQi DeficiencyDiarrheaStomach BloatingStomach BloatingErectile DysfunctionErectile / Impotence ProblemsUrinary ProblemsUrinary ProblemsDyspnoea ChronicDyspnoea ChronicEmaciation FemaleEmaciation FemaleBedwettingEyesight / Vision BlurredBlurred VisionEyesight / Vision DizzyDizzy VisionEyesight / Vision Night BlindnessNight Blindness VisionVaginal DischargeVaginal DischargeLeucorrhea Vaginal Discharge RedLeucorrhea Vaginal Discharge RedLeucorrhea Vaginal Discharge WhiteLeucorrhea Vaginal Discharge WhiteNocturnal Emission Wet DreamNocturnal Emission Wet DreamNourish Kidney YinNourish Kidney YinEdemaRib PainRib PainGenital PainGenital PainHypogastrium Acute PainHypogastrium Acute PainIrregular PeriodsPeriod / Menstruation IrregularPremature EjaculationRegulate Water PassagesCold StagnationCold StagnationUndigested Food in StoolUndigested Food in StoolDeficiency Taxation Oedema SyndromeDeficiency-taxation Oedema SyndromeTaxationThirsting ExcessiveThirsting ExcessiveTinnitusTonify KidneysFrequent UrinationFrequent UrinationUrination ScantyUrination ScantyUrine BloodUrine BloodUrine CloudyUrine CloudyUrine SemenUrine SemenUrine WhiteUrine WhiteBack Lumbar WeaknessBack Lumbar WeaknessQi Kidney WeaknessQi Kidney WeaknessYang WeaknessYang WeaknessWeight Low Despite AppetiteWeight Low Despite Appetite
Protocols using BL23
- Spinal Cord Injury, Bladder Dysfunction Neurogenic, Urinary Retention Chronic – SP06, SP09, BL23, BL28, CV02, CV03, CV04, CV06 (https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/9245186)
- Diarrhea, Abdominal Pain, Ulcerative Colitis, Blood In Stool – ST25, ST36, SP06, BL18, BL20, BL23, GV01 (https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-020-03101-4)
- Leg Pain, Buttock Pain, Low Back Pain, Stenosis Lumbar Spinal, Claudication Neurogenic, Gait Disturbance – BL23, BL32, BL39, BL51, BL52, BL54, BL57, GB30, GB34, GB39, GV03 (https://doi.org/10.2147/JPR.S438219)
- Leg Pain, Buttock Pain, Low Back Pain, Mobility Reduced, Spinal Stenosis Lumbar, Neurogenic Claudication – SP09, BL23, BL25, BL32, BL39, BL40, BL51, BL52, BL54, BL57, BL60, GB30, GB34, GB39, GV03 (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.imr.2025.101204)
- Proteinuria, Nephropathy Diabetic, Renal Function Impaired, Hemorheology Abnormal – SP06, BL13, BL21, BL23, KD03 (https://doi.org/10.13702/j.1000-0607.20210036)
- 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)
- Cognitive Impairment Memory, Mild Cognitive Impairment Amnestic – BL18, BL23, GV14, GV20 (https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000027686)
- 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)
- 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])
- Anxiety, Insomnia Chronic – SP06, HT07, BL15, BL19, BL20, BL23, BL62, KD06 (https://doi.org/10.27044/d.cnki.ggzzu.2024.000169)
- Lumbar Pain, Lumbar Disc Herniation, Disc Herniation Lumbar – ST25, BL23, BL25, BL57, KD09, KD10, LV08 (https://doi.org/10.27180/d.cnki.gjxzc.2024.000134)
- Radicular Pain, Low-back Pain, Paresthesia Lower-limb, Disc-herniation Lumbar – BL23, BL24, BL25, BL26, BL40, BL60, GB03, GV03 (https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/5871657)