BL 33 — Zhōng Liáo (中髎) — Middle Bone Hole
On this page
1. Overview
BL 33 — Zhōng Liáo (中髎) — is an acupuncture point on the Bladder meridian. Its English name, Middle Bone Hole, 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, practising at my clinic in Wokingham, Berkshire.
2. Location
In the third sacral foramen.
3. Actions
- Regulates the lower Jiao
- Promotes urination and defaecation
- Relieves sacral and lumbar pain
- Resolves Damp-Heat in the Lower Jiao
4. Indications
- Sacral pain and lumbar stiffness
- Constipation and difficult defaecation
- Urinary difficulty
- Leucorrhoea and vaginal discharge
- Sciatica at the sacral level
5. Needling
Perpendicular insertion 1.0–1.5 cun into the foramen.
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 33 is the third sacral foramen point of the Eight Liao. It is particularly used for constipation and urinary difficulty via its access to S3 nerve roots which innervate the bladder and rectum. Often combined with BL 32 and BL 34 for comprehensive sacral nerve stimulation.
7. Treatment at my clinic
I use BL 33 as part of tailored acupuncture prescriptions for conditions including Back pain, Sciatica, Urinary tract infections. 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.
