BL 18 — Gān Shū (肝俞) — Liver Back-Transporting Point
On this page
1. Overview
BL 18 — Gān Shū (肝俞) — is an acupuncture point on the Bladder meridian. Its English name, Liver Back-Transporting Point, reflects the point’s classical character and location. It is used regularly in acupuncture practice for a range of conditions.
I am Dr (TCM) Attilio D’Alberto, a member of the British Acupuncture Council with over 25 years of clinical experience. I practise at my clinic in Wokingham, Berkshire.
2. Location
1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of T9.
3. Actions
- Back-Shu point of the Liver — tonifies and regulates the Liver
- Nourishes Liver Blood and Yin
- Spreads Liver Qi and resolves stagnation
- Benefits the eyes
4. Indications
- All Liver disorders — Qi stagnation, Blood deficiency, Yang rising
- Eye disorders from Liver Blood deficiency
- Irregular menstruation from Liver Qi stagnation
- Depression, irritability and anxiety
5. Needling
Oblique medial insertion 0.5–0.8 cun.
Important: Acupuncture should only be performed by a fully qualified practitioner. All needles I use are sterile, single-use and disposed of in a clinical sharps container immediately after treatment.
6. Clinical notes
BL 18 is the Back-Shu point of the Liver and is used in virtually every fertility treatment — Liver Qi must flow smoothly for the menstrual cycle to be regular, and Liver Blood is essential for follicular development and endometrial thickness. Combined with LV 3 (Yuan-Source point) it forms the Back-Shu / Yuan-Source pair for direct Liver regulation.
7. Treatment at my clinic
I use BL 18 as part of tailored acupuncture prescriptions for conditions including Fertility, Irregular menstrual cycle, Depression. Each treatment is individually designed following a full TCM assessment.
I see patients in person at my clinic in Wokingham, Berkshire. Visit the prices page for consultation fees. Return to the acupuncture points directory or the acupuncture main page.
