# BL31 Shanghe (Upper Bone Hole) – Bladder Meridian

上髎 · shàng hé

Location: On the sacrum at the midpoint between posterior superior iliac spine and posterior midline just at the 1st posterior sacral foramen.

Cautions: Caution in sacroiliac dysfunction.

Canonical page: https://acuiq.com/points/bl31

## Indications

An indication list is a reference index, not a prescription – see the protocols below for sourced treatments.

Benefit Back Lumbar, Benefit Back Lumbar, Benefit Benefits Ovaries, Benefit Bladder, Benefit Bladder, Benefit Defecation, Benefit Defecation, Benefit Fallopian Tubes, Benefit Fallopian Tubes, Benefit Legs, Benefit Legs, Benefit Regulate Jiao Lower, Benefits Ovaries, Benefit Urination, Benefit Urination, Common Cold, Congestion Local, Congestion Local, Defecation Problems, Defecation Problems, Erectile Dysfunction, Erectile / Impotence Problems, Urinary Problems, Urinary Problems, Menstrual Cramps, Fever, Infertility, Inflammation, Genital Itching, Genital Itching, Vaginal Discharge, Vaginal Discharge, White Vaginal Discharge, White Vaginal Discharge, Malarial Chills, Nosebleed, Back Pain, Back Pain, Lower Back Pain, Lower Back Pain, Genital Pain, Genital Pain, Knee Pain, Knee Pain, Local Pain, Local Pain, Irregular Periods, Period / Menstruation Irregular, Uterine Prolapse, Uterine Prolapse, Regulate Jiao Lower, Vomiting

## Most often selected alongside BL31

Sourced protocols in the index pairing each point with this one. Corpus frequency, not a combination to use.

- BL32 (Second Bone Hole) – 39 protocols
- BL33 (Middle Bone Hole) – 35 protocols
- BL34 (Lower Bone Hole) – 34 protocols
- BL23 (Kidney Shu Point) – 14 protocols
- SP06 (Three Yin Intersection) – 11 protocols
- CV04 (Original Qi Gate) – 10 protocols
- CV03 (Central Pivot) – 8 protocols
- BL24 (Sea Of Qi Shu Point) – 7 protocols

## Protocols using BL31

| Symptoms | Points | Course | Source | Kind | Caveat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Back Pain, Sciatica Pain, Herniated Nucleus Pulposus | BL23, BL24, BL25, BL26, BL31, BL32, BL33, BL34, BL40, BL57, BL60, GB30 | 15 days | doi:10.1093/ecam/nep085 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Back Low Pain, Acute Pain, Referred Pain | LI04, BL29, BL30, BL31, BL32, BL40, BL54, BL58, BL62, KD03, GB30, LV03, GV03, GV04 | 1 days | doi:10.1186/1745-6215-12-241 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Fever, Anhidrosis | LU06, BL31 | – | doi:10.1155/2012/268237 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 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 | 84 days | doi:10.1136/acupmed-2015-010828 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Urinary Retention Post-stroke, Bladder Dysfunction Incomplete Emptying | BL31, BL32, BL33, BL34 | 14 days | doi:10.1186/s13063-016-1315-3 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Spinal Cord Injury, Bladder Dysfunction Neurogenic, Urinary Retention Chronic | SP06, SP09, BL23, BL28, BL31, BL32, BL33, BL34, CV02, CV03, CV04, CV06 | 14 days | doi:10.1155/2016/9245186 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Diarrhea, Abdominal Pain, Ulcerative Colitis, Blood In Stool | BL31, BL32, BL33, BL34 | 30 days | doi:10.1186/s12906-020-03101-4 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Insufficient Lactation, Urinary Retention Postpartum, Uterine Contraction Postpartum Pain, Depression Postpartum | BL31, BL32, BL33, BL34, KD01, CV08 | 3 days | doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.13261 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Fatigue, Nausea, Diarrhea, Waist Pain, Dysmenorrhea Primary, Menstrual Pain, Lower-abdomen Pain | SP06, BL31, BL32, BL33, BL34, CV04 | 30 days | doi:10.1155/2022/1281336 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Chronic Pain, Low Back Pain, Disability Low Back | SP06, BL23, BL31, BL32, BL33, BL60 | 28 days | doi:10.1016/j.jams.2018.02.002 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Depression Postpartum, Mood Disorder Postpartum, Anxiety Postpartum, Insomnia Postpartum, Postpartum Mood Changes | BL31, BL32, BL33, BL34, KD01, CV08 | 2 days | doi:10.1159/000543477 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Fecal Incontinence, Sleep Disturbance, Defecation Frequent, Evacuation Incomplete, Bowel Urgency | BL31, BL32, BL33, BL34, GV01 | 180 days | doi:10.3389/fmed.2025.1517325 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Fracture Coccyx, Sacrococcygeal Pain, Subluxation Coccyx, Difficulty Sitting | BL31, BL32, BL33, BL34 | 14 days | doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000044068 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Urinary Incontinence Stress, Pelvic Floor Dysfunction | ST36, SP06, BL23, BL24, BL31, BL32, BL33, BL34, BL35, CV03, CV04 | 28 days | doi:10.11817/j.issn.1672-7347.2025.240242 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Premature Ejaculation, Sexual Dysfunction | ST36, SP12, SP13, BL23, BL27, BL28, BL29, BL30, BL31, BL32, BL33, BL34, BL47, KD01, KD03, CV04, CV06 | 21 days | doi:10.4103/0973-6131.113408 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Childbirth Pain, Labor Pain | LI04, BL31, BL32, BL33, BL34, GB30, LV03 | 1 days | doi:10.2147/JPR.S46693 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Leg Pain, Leg Numbness, Leg Weakness, Radiculopathy Lumbar, Lower-back Pain | BL22, BL23, BL24, BL25, BL26, BL27, BL31, BL32, BL33, BL34, BL54, GB30, GV03, GV04 | – | doi:10.3831/KPI.2025.28.4.269 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Dysuria, Urinary Frequency, Urinary Urgency, Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms | BL31, BL32, BL33, BL34 | 28 days | doi:10.27465/d.cnki.gzzyc.2024.000579 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Urinary Tract Infection, Urinary Retention, Neurogenic Bladder | ST36, SP06, BL31, BL32, BL33, BL34, BL57, KD01, CV03, CV04, CV06, CV08, GV20 | 42 days | doi:10.16821/j.cnki.hsjx.2014.16.027 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Depression Post-stroke, Urinary Retention Post-stroke | SP06, BL31, BL32, BL33, BL34, PC06, GV20 | 28 days | doi:10.27026/d.cnki.ggszc.2023.000230 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Urinary Incontinence Stress Postpartum | BL31, BL32, BL33, BL34, CV08 | 28 days | doi:10.13359/j.cnki.gzxbtcm.2022.10.021 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Urinary Incontinence Stress Postpartum | BL31, BL32, BL33, BL34 | 28 days | doi:10.13359/j.cnki.gzxbtcm.2022.10.021 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Lumbar Pain, Herniation Lumbar Disc Acute, Restricted Lumbar Mobility | ST43, BL31, BL65, GB41 | 13 days | doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20240411-0001 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Spinal Cord Injury, Neurogenic Bladder, Urinary Dysfunction Retention | ST36, SP06, SP09, BL23, BL28, BL31, BL32, BL33, BL34, CV03, CV04, CV06 | – | doi:10.16294/j.cnki.1007-659x.2020.02.006 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Fecal Incontinence, Bowel Dysfunction Postoperative, Bowel Urgency, Fecal Incontinence, Bowel Urgency, Bowel Dysfunction, Rectal Cancer | BL23, BL31, BL32, BL33, BL34, GV04 | – | doi:10.3389/fmed.2026.1815559 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Urinary Retention, Spinal Cord Injury, Bladder Dysfunction Neurogenic, Spinal Cord Injury, Bladder Neurogenic | ST36, SP09, BL31, BL32, BL33, BL34, CV03, CV04 | 42 days | doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20221027-k0005 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Erectile Dysfunction | BL31, BL32, BL33, BL34 | 28 days | doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20240924-0001 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Incontinence Urinary Stress, Pelvic Floor Weakness | ST36, SP06, BL23, BL31, BL32, BL33, BL34, BL35, CV03, CV04, CV06 | 28 days | doi:10.11817/j.issn.1672-7347.2025.240242 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Low-back Pain, Radiculopathy Lumbar | BL24, BL25, BL31, GB30 | – | doi:10.1097/md.0000000000039720 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Constipation Functional, Straining Defecation, Defecation Difficulty | BL31, BL32, BL33, BL34 | – | doi:10.1097/md.0000000000046143 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Constipation Functional, Straining Defecation, Defecation Incomplete, Defecation Difficulty | BL31, BL32, BL33, BL34 | 84 days | doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000046143 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Bleeding Uterine, Intrauterine Residue Post-curettage | BL31, BL32, BL33, BL34 | 7 days | doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20200716-k0003 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Lactation Insufficiency, Urinary Retention | BL31, BL32, BL33, BL34, KD01, CV08 | 2 days | doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.13261 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Low Back Pain, Pelvic Girdle Pain | BL23, BL24, BL25, BL26, BL27, BL28, BL31, BL32, BL54 | – | doi:10.1186/s40814-016-0107-6 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Defecation Frequent, Bowel Urgency, Rectal Cancer Lower Post-operative, Fecal Incontinence | BL31, BL32, BL33, BL34, GV01 | – | doi:10.3389/fmed.2025.1517325 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Coccyx Pain, Fracture Coccyx, Sacrococcygeal Pain | BL31, BL32, BL33, BL34 | 14 days | doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000044068 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Urinary Incontinence, Incontinence Urinary Stress, Urinary Incontinence Stress | ST36, SP06, BL23, BL24, BL31, BL32, BL33, BL34, BL35, CV03, CV04 | 24 days | doi:10.11817/j.issn.1672-7347.2025.240242 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Labour Prolonged, Labour Prolonged, Labour Delayed, Labour Induce | LI04, SP06, BL31, BL32, BL60, BL67, GB21, LV03, LV05 | 7 days | Deadman, Al-Khafaji & Baker, A Manual of Acupuncture – point group actions | text | Point selection recorded in a clinical text or case report. |
| Heat Bladder, Damp Bladder, Heat Bladder, Damp Bladder | ST28, SP11, SP12, HT08, BL22, BL27, BL28, BL31, BL35, BL36, BL39, KD10 | 7 days | Yang Yong-Xuan, clinical point-selection notes | text | Point selection recorded in a clinical text or case report. |
| Liver Qi Stagnation, Liver Qi Stagnation | LI17, LI18, ST09, ST15, ST16, ST18, ST25, ST26, ST27, SP13, SP18, HT03, HT04, SI11, BL14, BL16, BL18, BL31, KD21, XB02T9 | 7 days | Yang Yong-Xuan, clinical point-selection notes | text | Point selection recorded in a clinical text or case report. |
| Dysmenorrhea Primary | ST28, BL20, BL31, BL32, BL33, BL34, LV03 | – | LIU Yong-jiu, et al. cited in ZHAO Li & LI Pei. A Survey of Acupuncture Treatment for Primary Dysmenorrhea. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2009, 29(1): 71-73 | text | Point selection recorded in a clinical text or case report. |
| Leg Pain, Prolapse Of The Lumbar Intervertebral Disc, Low Back Pain | BL23, BL25, BL31, BL32, BL33, BL34, BL40, BL54 | 110 days | ZHAO Bin-xiu et al. Clinical Effects of Acupuncture after Surgical Operation in Patients with Prolapse of the Lumbar Intervertebral Disc. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2008, 28(4): 250-254 | text | Point selection recorded in a clinical text or case report. |
| Sciatica, Intervertebral Disc Displacement, Sciatic Radiculopathy | BL23, BL24, BL25, BL26, BL31, BL32, BL54, GB30 | – | The Effectiveness of Doin (Conduction Exercise) of the Pelvic Joint for HLD With Radiating Leg Pain. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03571503 | text | Point selection recorded in a clinical text or case report. |
| PCOS, Kidney-yang Deficiency | BL31, BL32, BL33, BL34 | 90 days | 王任阳陈培芳夏德鹏陈燕军张雪飞高楠. 针刺结合隔姜灸八髎穴治疗肾阳虚证多囊卵巢综合征疗效观察. 亚太传统医药 ., 2023 [CNKI] | text | Point selection recorded in a clinical text or case report. |

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AcuiQ-authored prose (symptom and meridian descriptions, the wiki, the auricular crosswalk) is licensed CC-BY-4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/. The assembled protocol compilation is not: build on it with attribution, but do not redistribute it whole as a dataset – https://acuiq.com/terms. The underlying findings are the cited sources' claims – each entry carries its citation; verify against the source before relying on it. Not medical advice: https://acuiq.com/terms