BL 67 — Zhì Yīn (至阴) — Reaching Yin
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1. Overview
BL 67 — Zhì Yīn (至阴) — is an acupuncture point on the Bladder meridian. Its English name, Reaching Yin, 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 67 as part of individually tailored acupuncture prescriptions at my clinic in Wokingham, Berkshire.
2. Location
On the lateral side of the small toe, 0.1 cun posterior to the corner of the nail.
3. Actions
- Corrects malposition of the fetus — the primary point for breech presentation
- Clears Heat from the head and eyes
- Activates the meridian and relieves headache
- Well (Jing) point of the Bladder meridian
4. Indications
- Breech presentation — moxibustion at BL 67 has a 72.5% success rate for turning breech babies
- Difficult labour and retained placenta
- Headache and eye pain from Heat in the Bladder channel
- Nasal congestion
5. Needling
Shallow insertion 0.1 cun, or prick to bleed. Moxibustion at this point is the classical treatment for breech presentation — use a moxa stick held 1–2 cm from the point for 15–20 minutes bilaterally.
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 67 is the Well (Jing) and Metal point of the Bladder meridian. Its use for breech presentation is one of the most consistently researched applications in acupuncture, supported by multiple RCTs and a Cochrane systematic review. The standard protocol is moxibustion (not needling) applied bilaterally at BL 67 for 15–20 minutes per session, once or twice daily, for one to two weeks, ideally between 33 and 36 weeks of pregnancy. A Cochrane review found the technique significantly reduces the proportion of non-cephalic presentations at birth and reduces the need for external cephalic version (ECV).
7. Treatment at my clinic
I use BL 67 as part of tailored acupuncture prescriptions for conditions including Breech baby. 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.
