BL 23 — Shèn Shū (肾俞) — Kidney Back-Transporting Point

On this page

1. Overview
2. Location
3. Actions
4. Indications
5. Needling
6. Clinical notes
7. Treatment at my clinic

1. Overview

BL 23 — Shèn Shū (肾俞) — is an acupuncture point on the Bladder meridian. Its English name, Kidney Back-Transporting Point, reflects the point’s classical character and location. It is one of the most clinically important points in acupuncture practice and is used regularly in the treatment of 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 use BL 23 as part of individually tailored acupuncture prescriptions at my clinic in Wokingham, Berkshire.

2. Location

1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of L2.

3. Actions

1. Tonifies the Kidneys — Yin, Yang and Essence
2. Nourishes Jing (Essence) and strengthens the bone and marrow
3. Benefits the ears and eyes
4. Strengthens the lower back
5. Promotes urination and resolves Dampness
6. Back-Shu point of the Kidney

4. Indications

1. Low back pain and weakness from Kidney deficiency — the most important point for Kidney-related back pain
2. Infertility, impotence and sexual dysfunction from Kidney deficiency
3. Tinnitus and hearing loss from Kidney Essence deficiency
4. Urinary disorders including frequent urination and incontinence
5. Premature ageing, fatigue and bone weakness
6. Menopausal symptoms from Kidney Yin deficiency
7. Sperm quality — tonifies Kidney Jing to improve spermatogenesis

5. Needling

Perpendicular insertion 0.8–1.2 cun. Moxibustion powerfully and frequently applied — one of the most important moxibustion points for tonification.

Important: Acupuncture should only be performed by a fully qualified practitioner. Never attempt self-needling. All needles I use are sterile, single-use and disposed of immediately after treatment in a clinical sharps container.

6. Clinical notes

BL 23 is the Back-Shu (transporting) point of the Kidney and is the most important point for tonifying Kidney Qi, Yin, Yang and Essence. Back-Shu points directly tonify their corresponding organs and are powerfully enhanced by moxibustion. BL 23 is an essential component of virtually all fertility treatment protocols, all Kidney deficiency patterns and all back pain prescriptions with a deficiency component. It is typically combined with BL 52 (Zhishi) for Kidney Essence deficiency and with GV 4 (Mingmen) for Kidney Yang deficiency.

7. Treatment at my clinic

I use BL 23 as part of tailored acupuncture prescriptions for conditions including Fertility, Back pain, Menopausal symptoms, Tinnitus, Male infertility, Luteal phase defect. 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.