Element
Ba Gua
Primary Function
The Bladder channel is the longest and most extensive channel. It has little effect on its related fu (the bladder) but connects with most channels, regions and areas of the body. The back-shu points, the points on the foot and the points on the head are all very important points for the zangfu and the brain. Regulate the Zangfu via the back shu connections – which also affect the associated tissues and sense organs.
Areas / Symptoms
Back erector spinae hamstrings occiput
Brief Psychology
ControlControl external to be safedrivenwithdrawalnever restWillVigilance
Related Emotions
TCM Muscles
Primary functions
Heart and brain integrationheadbrain and sense organspsycho-emotional disordersDisorders of the eyesDisorders of the noseDisorders of the headDisorders of the faceRegulate the Zangfu via the back shu connections
Points
Bl-1
Bl-2
Bl-3
Bl-4
Bl-5
Bl-6
Bl-7
Bl-8
Bl-9
Bl-10
Bl-11
Bl-12
Bl-13
Bl-14
Bl-15
Bl-16
Bl-17
Bl-18
Bl-19
Bl-20
Bl-21
Bl-22
Bl-23
Bl-24
Bl-25
Bl-26
Bl-27
Bl-28
Bl-29
Bl-30
Bl-31
Bl-32
Bl-33
Bl-34
Bl-35
Bl-36
Bl-37
Bl-38
Bl-39
Bl-40
Bl-41
Bl-42
Bl-43
Bl-44
Bl-45
Bl-46
Bl-47
Bl-48
Bl-49
Bl-50
Bl-51
Bl-52
Bl-53
Bl-54
Bl-55
Bl-56
Bl-57
Bl-58
Bl-59
Bl-60
Bl-61
Bl-62
Bl-63
Bl-64
Bl-65
Bl-66
Bl-67
Overview
Begins at inner canthus of eye, ascends to vertex, intersects with GB15, Gv24, Gv20, from vertex a branch descends to the temples intersecting GB7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12, another branch descends from the vertex to the occiput 1 bin either side of the midline, another branch from the vertex enters the brain and meets GV17 then emerges to nape of neck where it splits into two branches. The first branch travels alongside the spine 1.5 bin lateral to the midline, intersecting Gv13 and Gv14, penetrates deep into the body, the paravertebral muscles, kidneys and bladder. A sub-branch separates in the lumber region, descends along the sacrum, buttocks to Bl40 at the knee. The second branch descends 3 bin lateral to the spine, crosses the buttock to intersect with GB30, descends on the lateral part of the leg to meet the other branch at Bl40, descends through the gastrocnemius, emerges behind the lateral malleolus at Bl60, and runs to Bl67.
Zangfu Connections
Meetings with
6 Channel Partner
Divergent Channel
Separates at the popliteal fossa, ascends to a point 5 bin inferior to the sacrum, winds around the anus, connects with Bl and Ki, ascends along spine and disperses in the region of the heart, emerges at the neck to rejoin Bl primary channel.
Luo Connecting Channel
Separates at Bl58 and connects with Ki channel
Sinew Channel
Originates at the little toe ascends to bind at lateral aspect of knee, another branch separates below the ankle, binds at the heel, ascends along Achilles tendon to popliteal fossa, binds at the buttock, ascends to the nape of the neck, a branch penetrates to bind at the tongue, the main channel binds at the occiput, ascends over the crown to bind at the bridge of the nose, circles the eyes and binds at the cheekbones, another branch ascends the back and binds at LI15, another branch crosses beneath the armpit to the supraclavicular fossa and rises to the cheek bone.
Channel Meeting points
GB15, Gv20, Gv24, GB7, GB8, GB9, GB10, GB11, GB12, GB30,
Gv17, Gv14, Gv13, LI4, SI10, GB23
Time of Day
3pm to 5pm
Negative Aspects
dormant scattered restless dreamy orthodox stinginess overly generous
Positive Aspects
clever able to rest full of life concentration focus
Cutaneous region
Key aspects
- Connects with kidneys, brain, organs (back shu points), eyes, ears, nose, heart
- Urination
- Balancing the organs
- Heart brain issues
- Hamstrings, erector spinae, gastrocnemius and soleus
Points
Point | Special Point | Balances | Balance for: |
---|---|---|---|
Bl-1 | Spirit PointYin Qiao Mai | destinyclarityvisionSpirit live our truth connection to spirit spirit transformation letting go held back original nature | |
Bl-2 | Fear fear based anxiety facing fears separation failure fear of failure fear of intimacy vigilance fear of fear | ||
Bl-3 | |||
Bl-4 | yielding pushing restraining desires to connect yielding to what is seeing what is no judgement yield to flow of life striving vs hopeless reaching and yielding | ||
Bl-5 | |||
Bl-6 | Jing Well Ying Spring Shu Stream Jing River He Sea | ||
Bl-7 | Key Point | ||
Bl-8 | yielding pushing restraining desires to connect yielding to what is seeing what is no judgement yield to flow of life striving vs hopeless reaching and yieldingBrain IntegrationConfusionDizzinessDepression | ||
Bl-9 | Neurological | Activate SocNSOveractive SNSOveractive PNSBrain IntegrationConfusionDizzinessDepression | |
Bl-10 | Activate SocNSOveractive SNSOveractive PNSFor Brainhead and throatcoughvomiting and headachewhere there is disharmony between Qi of body and headFor people not connected to their body or feelings.Body connectionFear fear based anxiety facing fears separation failure fear of failure fear of intimacy vigilance fear of fearBrain IntegrationConfusionDizzinessDepression | ||
Bl-11 | body feels bigdo not feel right but no obvious sicknessfeel reduced but not obvious sicknessbody feels smalltired with self at war with self being whole facing parts of self discomfort with selfbalancing parts of bodybody systems Yin organs yang organs qi lung qi heart qi sinews tightness muscle pain joint pain blood vessels blood flow neck pain back pain spine pain lumber pain weakness contraction in limbs pain in limbsqizangyinfuyangbloodSinewsmusclesvesselsbonemarrowbrain | ||
Bl-12 | |||
Bl-13 | Back-Shu Point | ||
Bl-14 | Back-Shu Point | trauma betrayal intimacy trauma sexual repression heartbreak sexual traumaexpression of heart connection to spirit connection to heart | |
Bl-15 | Key PointBack-Shu Point | open hearted fear of opening spirit gate open within flexible boundaries bitterness penetrating inside repressed emotions | |
Bl-16 | Back-Shu Point | tired with self at war with self being whole facing parts of self discomfort with self | |
Bl-17 | Heartbreak grief letting go past hurt unresolved ancestral issues heart traumabalancing parts of bodybody systems Yin organs yang organs qi lung qi heart qi sinews tightness muscle pain joint pain blood vessels blood flow neck pain back pain spine pain lumber pain weakness contraction in limbs pain in limbsqizangyinfuyangbloodSinewsmusclesvesselsbonemarrowbrain | ||
Bl-18 | Key PointBack-Shu Point | rageFearfreezeshockfrightpleasurefightflightLive truly difficult to assimilate truth vision of inner truth true to inner child value truth grounded thinking drawing on roots interpret meaning coming back to centre reborn | |
Bl-19 | Back-Shu Point | rageFearfreezeshockfrightpleasurefightflightfixed perspectives expectations overly focused re-evaluation failure fear of failure inaction due to fear of failure intuitive solutions | |
Bl-20 | Key PointBack-Shu Point | ||
Bl-21 | Back-Shu Point | ||
Bl-22 | Back-Shu Point | ||
Bl-23 | Key PointBack-Shu Point | ||
Bl-24 | |||
Bl-25 | Back-Shu Point | improving digestionconstipationdiarrheoa | |
Bl-26 | Key Point | ||
Bl-27 | Back-Shu Point | improving digestionconstipationdiarrheoa | |
Bl-28 | Back-Shu Point | ||
Bl-29 | |||
Bl-30 | allow tears to flow let go to move forward let go of old patterns purity of spirit capacity to let go fear of separation cry of sadness grief letting go of projects letting go of grief fear of letting go loss | ||
Bl-31 | |||
Bl-32 | |||
Bl-33 | |||
Bl-34 | |||
Bl-35 | |||
Bl-36 | |||
Bl-37 | |||
Bl-38 | |||
Bl-39 | Key PointHe SeaLower He Sea | Jing Well Ying Spring Shu Stream Jing River He SeaQi FlowTonificationSedationconnection being of service to connect core connection to heart empty mind to access knowing deeper selfDisorders of the stomach and intestines Eating and drinking Points on knee influence the fu (yang organs) Skin disorders | |
Bl-40 | Key PointHe SeaEarth Point | Jing Well Ying Spring Shu Stream Jing River He SeaQi FlowTonificationSedationDisorders of the Abdomen Lumber region and back Head and nape Face and mouth Chest and lateral costal region ResuscitationHeadache Headache and speech Sinews arms hand skin Digestion Skin throat cold Speech anger eating Lumber pain stiffness of bones and sinews Constipation lumber pain knee Short breath groaning cramps Hip and leg pain Knee and leg Vision fright fits walkingcalmnessstillnesssafetybelongingstabilityinsecuritiesFear fear based anxiety facing fears separation failure fear of failure fear of intimacy vigilance fear of fearDisorders of the stomach and intestines Eating and drinking Points on knee influence the fu (yang organs) Skin disorders | |
Bl-41 | Fear fear based anxiety facing fears separation failure fear of failure fear of intimacy vigilance fear of fearallow tears to flow let go to move forward let go of old patterns purity of spirit capacity to let go fear of separation cry of sadness grief letting go of projects letting go of grief fear of letting go loss | ||
Bl-42 | Spirit Point | Letting Gosense of selforiginal selfspirittrue selftrue natureself esteem | |
Bl-43 | Heartbreak grief letting go past hurt unresolved ancestral issues heart trauma | ||
Bl-44 | Spirit Point | express our true selvessense of proprietyexpression of heart connection to spirit connection to heart | |
Bl-45 | |||
Bl-46 | Heartbreak grief letting go past hurt unresolved ancestral issues heart trauma | ||
Bl-47 | Spirit Point | move beyond judgement to just be allow our soul to flow being our true selves | |
Bl-48 | |||
Bl-49 | Spirit Point | quiets the mindworry about otherstue intentConnection to the Dao or spiritexpressing soul | |
Bl-50 | Live truly difficult to assimilate truth vision of inner truth true to inner child value truth grounded thinking drawing on roots interpret meaning coming back to centre reborn | ||
Bl-51 | Heartbreak grief letting go past hurt unresolved ancestral issues heart trauma | ||
Bl-52 | Spirit Point | spirit purpose life purpose destiny heart original nature | |
Bl-53 | trauma betrayal intimacy trauma sexual repression heartbreak sexual trauma | ||
Bl-54 | |||
Bl-55 | |||
Bl-56 | |||
Bl-57 | Headache Headache and speech Sinews arms hand skin Digestion Skin throat cold Speech anger eating Lumber pain stiffness of bones and sinews Constipation lumber pain knee Short breath groaning cramps Hip and leg pain Knee and leg Vision fright fits walking | ||
Bl-58 | Luo Point | Toxic Emotions Fear Withdrawal Anger Frustration Lack of joy Embarrassment Hurt Sympathy (Excess sensitivity) Grief Disconnect Guilt Paranoia Disconnected Resentment Confused Bitterness Shame Defensive Disgust Disdain Worthless Immobilised Pointless Secrecy Intimidating Aloof Passive aggression Seething Always looking for a new answer Lying Sarcastic Teasing Blush and hide React and push back Prickly Ingratiation Complaining Direct people to be happy Superior Snide Push people away Lack of inspiration FutileEmotionsControlFear fear based anxiety facing fears separation failure fear of failure fear of intimacy vigilance fear of fearQi Flow | |
Bl-59 | Xi-Cleft | pain acute conditionsfull energy of yang movement activity immobile sluggish stuck dull toxic slow smelly stagnation | |
Bl-60 | Key PointJing RiverFire Point | Jing Well Ying Spring Shu Stream Jing River He SeaQi FlowTonificationSedationHeadache Headache and speech Sinews arms hand skin Digestion Skin throat cold Speech anger eating Lumber pain stiffness of bones and sinews Constipation lumber pain knee Short breath groaning cramps Hip and leg pain Knee and leg Vision fright fits walkingtrust trust ourselves trust others vigilenceShort breath and asthma Speech and voice Sinews and bones | |
Bl-61 | counsel from heaven guidance faith flow struggle follow heart | ||
Bl-62 | Master PointKey Point | inner nature express true self move forward easeentitiesghostsBrain IntegrationbrainConfusionDizzinessDepression | |
Bl-63 | Xi-Cleft | Toxic Emotions Fear Withdrawal Anger Frustration Lack of joy Embarrassment Hurt Sympathy (Excess sensitivity) Grief Disconnect Guilt Paranoia Disconnected Resentment Confused Bitterness Shame Defensive Disgust Disdain Worthless Immobilised Pointless Secrecy Intimidating Aloof Passive aggression Seething Always looking for a new answer Lying Sarcastic Teasing Blush and hide React and push back Prickly Ingratiation Complaining Direct people to be happy Superior Snide Push people away Lack of inspiration Futilepain acute conditionsinner essence beauty within beauty outside flow in life true path overcome fear driven impotent outwardly flow dissipate fears | |
Bl-64 | Yuan Point | QiLingEmotionsFearDrivenFocusedOriginal Qiconnection being of service to connect core connection to heart empty mind to access knowing deeper selfQi Flow | |
Bl-65 | Shu StreamWood Point | Jing Well Ying Spring Shu Stream Jing River He SeaQi FlowTonificationSedationFor Yin channels – for tonifying and harmonising their respective zang yin organsFor yang channels – treat disorders of their channel (not the fu) Heaviness of the body and pain of the joints Intermittent diseases such as malaria | |
Bl-66 | Key PointYing SpringWater Point | Virtue Negative Aspects of Self intimacy openness warm protected spontaneous control connection propriety (appropriate action) self mastery social interaction propriety external connection balance understanding of others understood by others discernment communication insight receptive valuable connected with heaven acting rightly pure inspired self worth letting go acknowledged alone sufficiency - having enough non-attached wisdom to treat myself well wisdom overcoming fear will driven clever able to rest full of life concentration focus meeting needs inside integrating myself into the wider world altruism reciprocity adaptability nourished understand myself true giving integrity interested in others adaptable giving and receiving self-esteem vision planning benevolent patient free flexible choice guarded vulnerable isolated unsafe betrayed hurt pained controllingJing Well Ying Spring Shu Stream Jing River He SeaQi FlowTonificationSedationHeat in body Diseases of the yang channels zang pathogens along channel and at distal end | |
Bl-67 | Jing WellMetal Point | Jing Well Ying Spring Shu Stream Jing River He SeaQi FlowTonificationSedationrecovery of the lost selflost selfjinginternal selfcore selfspiritfatigueshed fictional selfshed maskre-establishing connection with spiritliving our truth Clearing heat restoring consciousness rescuing collapse excess and heat from distal end of channel Stagnation and fullness in chest Disorders of the spirit |