BL23 Shenshu (Kidney Shu Point)

Location

1.5 thumb widths lateral to the GV04 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.

Asthma Muscle WastingUterine and Menstrual ConditionsStomach Rumbling Common Cold Cold StomachCold UterusCold Uterus ChronicCold VomitingCough DampExhaustion DeficiencyDeafness Kidney DeficiencyQi Deficiency Diarrhea Stomach Bloating Erectile Dysfunction Erectile / Impotence Problems Urinary ProblemsDyspnoea ChronicEmaciation FemaleBedwettingEyesight / Vision BlurredBlurred VisionEyesight / Vision DizzyDizzy VisionEyesight / Vision Night BlindnessNight Blindness VisionVaginal DischargeLeucorrhea Vaginal Discharge RedWhite Vaginal Discharge Nocturnal Emission Wet Dream Edema Rib Pain Genital PainHypogastrium Acute PainIrregular Periods Period / Menstruation Irregular Premature Ejaculation Cold StagnationUndigested Food in StoolDeficiency Taxation Oedema SyndromeDeficiency-taxation Oedema SyndromeTaxationThirsting ExcessiveTinnitusFrequent UrinationUrination ScantyUrine BloodUrine CloudyUrine SemenUrine WhiteBack Lumbar WeaknessQi Kidney WeaknessYang WeaknessWeight Low Despite Appetite

TCM actions

What classical sources say BL23 does in the terms of Chinese medicine theory. These describe the point, not a condition.

Benefit EarsBenefit EssenceBenefit EyesBenefit Regulate Water PassagesBenefit Tonify KidneysBenefit UrinationBenefit UterusNourish Kidney YinRegulate Water PassagesTonify Kidneys

Protocols using BL23

The 50 best-sourced of 1010, 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 ↗)
Period Short, Period Scanty, Period Low, Period Light, Warm Kidney Yang, Hypomenorrhea Ovulatory, Vitality Weakness, Hypomenorrhea Luteal, Period Short, Period Scanty, Period Low, Period Light, Warm Kidney Yang, Conduct Blood Downward, Hypomenorrhea Ovulatory, Vitality Weakness – SP01, BL23, KD03, CV04, CV06 (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 ↗)
Hypomenorrhea, Menstrual Irregular – SP01, BL23, KD03, CV04, CV06 (doi:10.1016/s0254-6272(09)60059-5 ↗)
Bronchial Asthma, Allergic Rhinitis, COPD, Bronchitis Chronic, Infection Respiratory Recurrent – BL13, BL15, BL17, BL23, BL43, CV17, GV14 (doi:10.1016/s0254-6272(10)60037-4 ↗)
Dysmenorrhea Primary – ST25, ST36, SP06, SP08, SP10, BL23, BL32, KD03, GB34, GB39, LV03, CV03, CV04, CV06, GV04 (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 ↗)
Dysmenorrhea Primary – BL23, LV03, CV04 (doi:10.1016/s0254-6272(09)60035-2 ↗)
Dysmenorrhea Primary – SP08, BL18, BL23, BL32 (doi:10.1016/s0254-6272(09)60035-2 ↗)
Cerebral Palsy, Motor Dysfunction, Posture Abnormalities – LI04, LI11, ST02, ST25, ST36, ST40, ST44, SP06, HT07, SI19, BL01, BL17, BL18, BL23, BL40, BL60, BL62, KD01, KD03, KD06, PC06, PC08, TB05, TB17, TB21, GB02, GB13, GB14, GB19, LV03, CV06, CV10, CV12, CV13, CV14, CV23, GV17, GV20, GV24 (doi:10.1016/s0254-6272(09)60074-1 ↗)
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 ↗)
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 ↗)
Asthma, Dyspnea, Tachypnea – LU09, ST40, BL13, BL23, KD03, TB06, CV08 (doi:10.1016/s0254-6272(09)60081-9 ↗)
Vascular Dementia, Memory Impairment, Cognitive Impairment – BL17, BL23, GV20 (doi:10.1016/s0254-6272(09)60058-3 ↗)
Leg Pain, Prolapse Of The Lumbar Intervertebral Disc, Low Back Pain – BL23, BL25, BL31, BL32, BL33, BL34, BL40, BL54 (doi:10.1016/s0254-6272(09)60003-0 ↗)
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 ↗)
Sneezing, Nasal Itching, Nasal Discharge Watery, Coldness Body And Limbs, Soreness Waist And Knee, Waist And Knee Weakness – LU09, LI20, BL13, BL23, GB20, GV04 (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 ↗)
Acne, Irregular Menstruation, Liver Stagnation, Yin Deficiency – BL18, BL23, KD03, LV03 (doi:10.1016/s0254-6272(08)60007-2 ↗)
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 ↗)
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 ↗)
Fatigue, Insomnia, Sleep Difficulty Falling Asleep, Sleep Early Awakening, Sleep Frequent Awakening, Memory Decreased – BL11, BL13, BL23, BL52, GV04, GV14 (doi:10.1016/s0254-6272(09)60025-x ↗)
Urinary Retention, Urination Difficulty, Abdominal Distending Pain – SP06, SP09, BL23, BL28, BL32, BL39, CV02, CV03, CV04 (doi:10.1016/s0254-6272(08)60020-5 ↗)
Low Back Pain, Disability Low Back – BL23, BL25, BL40, GV03, GV04 (doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0000919 ↗)
Back Low Pain, Disability Musculoskeletal – BL23, BL25, BL40, GV03, GV04 (doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0000919 ↗)
Immune Deficiency, Immune Dysregulation – ST36, BL18, BL20, BL23 (doi:10.1093/ecam/nel107 ↗)
Back Pain, Sciatica Pain, Herniated Nucleus Pulposus – BL23, BL24, BL25, BL26, BL31, BL32, BL33, BL34, BL40, BL57, BL60, GB30 (doi:10.1093/ecam/nep085 ↗)
Fatigue, Insomnia, Irritability, Hot Flashes – SP06, HT07, BL15, BL23, BL32, PC06, GB34, LV03, GV20 (doi:10.1016/j.urology.2010.03.033 ↗)
Glaucoma Open-angle, Intraocular Pressure Elevated, Retrobulbar Circulation Impaired – ST02, ST36, SP06, BL02, BL18, BL23, KD03, GB20, LV03 (doi:10.1155/2011/157090 ↗)
Dysmenorrhea, Menstrual Pain, Mood Changes, Cold Stagnation – LU07, ST36, SP06, BL23, KD06, CV03, CV04, CV06, GV04 (doi:10.1093/ecam/nep239 ↗)
Dysmenorrhea, Kidney Deficiency, Liver Deficiency, Menstrual Pain, Mood Changes – ST36, SP06, BL17, BL18, BL23, KD03, 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 ↗)
Exercise Capacity Reduced, Cardiorespiratory Fitness Low, Sedentary Lifestyle – LU01, ST36, BL17, BL23, BL52, PC06, GB34, CV04, CV17 (doi:10.6061/clinics/2012(02)18 ↗)
Glaucoma Open-angle, Circulation Retrobulbar Impaired – ST02, ST36, SP06, BL02, BL18, BL23, KD03, GB20, LV03 (doi:10.1155/2012/513638 ↗)
Lumbar Pain, Low-back Pain – BL23, BL24, BL25, BL26, BL32, BL40, BL60, GB30, GB34 (doi:10.1155/2013/872142 ↗)
Shortness of Breath, Tachycardia, Atrial Fibrillation, Chronic Bronchitis, Dampness, Yin Deficiency Liver, Yin Deficiency Kidney, Yin Deficiency Heart, Blood Stagnation – LU07, LI04, ST40, SP06, HT06, BL17, BL23, KD03, PC06, GB20, LV03, LV08 (doi:10.1136/acupmed-2013-010380 ↗)
Fatigue, Weakness, Constipation, Depression, Insomnia, Spasticity, Dysphagia, Atrophy Muscle, Limb Pain, Limb Numbness, Dyspnea Nocturnal, Dysarthria, Sweating Abnormal – LI04, LI11, ST36, SP06, BL23, KD03, PC06, CV04, CV06, CV12, GV14, GV20 (doi:10.1155/2013/613596 ↗)
Enuresis Nocturnal, Bedwetting – ST36, SP04, SP06, SP12, HT07, HT09, BL23, BL28, BL32, KD03, KD05, CV02, CV03, CV06, GV04, GV15, GV20 (doi:10.1177/147323000303100611 ↗)
Insomnia, Restless Legs Syndrome, Sleep Onset Difficulty, Sleep Maintenance Difficulty, Leg Discomfort Nocturnal – ST36, SP06, SP10, BL23, BL57, KD03, LV03, GV04 (doi:10.1155/2015/343201 ↗)
Sexual Dysfunction, Feet Numbness, Erectile Dysfunction, Low Sexual Desire, Back Lower Pain, Legs Numbness – BL23, BL24, CV01, CV04 (doi:10.3831/KPI.2014.17.029 ↗)
Dysmenorrhea, Menstrual Pain, Abdomen Lower Pain – ST36, SP06, SP08, SP10, BL23, BL32, LV03, CV03, CV04, CV06 (doi:10.1155/2015/752194 ↗)
Inflammation Intestinal, Crohn's Disease, Barrier Dysfunction Intestinal Epithelial – LI04, LI11, ST25, ST36, ST37, BL23, BL25, CV06, CV09 (doi:10.3748/wjg.v21.i16.4986 ↗)
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 ↗)
Fatigue Exercise-induced, Fatigue Physical – ST36, BL23, BL40, CV04 (doi:10.1155/2015/508302 ↗)
Lower Back Pain – BL23, BL24, BL25, BL40, GB30, GV03, GV04, GV05 (doi:10.1155/2015/808425 ↗)

Most often selected alongside BL23

How many sourced protocols in the index pair each point with BL23. Corpus frequency, not a combination to use.

ST36Leg Three Miles370 protocols
SP06Three Yin Intersection353 protocols
CV04Original Qi Gate283 protocols
BL20Spleen Shu Point282 protocols
KD03Great Stream220 protocols
BL25Large Intestine Shu Point211 protocols
BL18Liver Shu Point191 protocols
BL40Middle Of The Crease166 protocols
CV06Sea Of Qi162 protocols
GV20100 Convergences155 protocols
LV03Great Surge151 protocols
GV04Life Gate142 protocols