BL 11 — Dà Zhù (大杼) — Great Shuttle
BL 11 (Da Zhu, “Great Shuttle”) is the Influential point of the Bones (Hui-meeting point) — the master point of all skeletal disorders. Located 1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of T1, it is used for bone, joint and posture-related complaints, particularly cervical spine pain.
On this page
1. About BL 11 (Da Zhu)
BL 11 — Dà Zhù — is the Hui-meeting point of the bones, one of the “eight influential points” of classical acupuncture. It is the principal point for bone disorders and is also a meeting point of the Small Intestine and Bladder channels.
2. BL 11 location
1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of T1 (level with the inner border of the scapular spine when arms are at the sides).
3. Actions
- Influential point of the Bones
- Expels Wind from the head and neck
- Strengthens the upper back and shoulders
- Tonifies the Lung (proximity to BL 13)
4. Indications
- Cervical spine disorders — cervical spondylosis, stiffness, pain
- Osteoporosis and skeletal weakness
- Bone Bi syndrome (deep joint pain)
- Upper back pain and shoulder blade pain
- Cough and chest disorders (proximity to BL 13)
- Fever from Wind invasion
5. Needling
Oblique insertion towards the spine 0.3–0.5 cun. Deep perpendicular needling is contraindicated — risk of pneumothorax.
6. Clinical notes
As the Hui-meeting of the bones, BL 11 is used in any chronic bony pathology — from osteoporosis prophylaxis to cervical spondylosis. For osteoporosis it is combined with BL 23 (Kidney back-shu) and KD 3, tonifying the Kidney which “governs the bones”.
7. Treatment at my clinic
I use BL 11 within tailored acupuncture prescriptions for cervical spine pain, chronic neck and upper back tension and skeletal complaints. I see patients at my clinic in Wokingham, Berkshire.
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