Back-Shu of the Stomach · Earth · Bladder inner line
BL-21Wèi Shū 胃俞
Back-Shu of the Stomach 胃. Front-Mù pair: REN-12 Zhōng Wǎn.
Spinal level
T12
1.5 cùn lateral to the spine
Element
Earth
Front-Mù pair
REN-12 Zhōng Wǎn
Location
1.5 cùn lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of T12.
Actions
- Harmonises the Stomach and Middle Jiāo
- Descends rebellious Stomach Qi
- Resolves Damp and Food Stagnation
Indications
Epigastric pain, nausea, vomiting, borborygmus, bloating.
Combine with BL-20 for the full Middle Jiāo Shū pair.
Needling technique
Oblique toward the spine, 0.5–0.8 cùn.
Moxibustion
Excellent for cold in the Stomach, chronic nausea and epigastric coldness. Avoid in Stomach Heat.
Cautions
Pneumothorax risk if angled laterally.
Classical pairings
- ST-36 Zú Sān Lǐ — He-sea, harmonises Stomach
- REN-12 Zhōng Wǎn — Front-Mù of the Stomach and Huì-meeting of the Fǔ
- BL-20 Pí Shū — combined Middle Jiāo Shū pair
Open in the point database
View live location diagrams, additional research citations and full needling metadata for BL-21.
Open BL-21 in the point database →Educational reference for licensed practitioners and students. Not medical advice — always correlate with a full TCM assessment and Western clinical judgement.