BL-23Shèn Shū 腎俞
Back-Shu of the Kidney 腎. Front-Mù pair: GB-25 Jīng Mén.
Location
1.5 cùn lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of L2, at the level of Míng Mén (DU-4).
Actions
- Tonifies Kidney Yīn, Yáng, Jīng and Qi
- Strengthens the lumbar region and knees
- Benefits the ears and nourishes the brain
- Warms Míng Mén and holds the Qi
Indications
Low back pain, tinnitus, impotence, enuresis, chronic fatigue, infertility, chronic asthma.
The most-used Back-Shu — pair with KI-3 for Kidney Yin/Yang tonification and Míng Mén warmth.
Needling technique
Perpendicular 0.8–1.2 cùn. Tonifying technique for deficiency; even technique for local low back pain.
Moxibustion
Direct or indirect moxa is a signature Kidney Yáng tonifying treatment. Also warms Míng Mén.
Cautions
Do not exceed 1.5 cùn — Kidney sits close. Avoid strong stimulation in Yīn deficiency with empty heat.
Classical pairings
- KI-3 Tài Xī — Yuán-source of the Kidney
- DU-4 Míng Mén — warms Kidney Yáng
- REN-4 Guān Yuán — tonifies Yuán Qi and Jīng
Open in the point database
View live location diagrams, additional research citations and full needling metadata for BL-23.
Open BL-23 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.