Lung Shu

肺俞Fèi Shū

Back-Shu points· Lung

Anatomical location

1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the third thoracic vertebra (T3), in the space between the third and fourth thoracic vertebrae.

Main function

Regulates Lung Qi, resolves Phlegm, relieves cough and asthma, strengthens the Wei Qi (Defensive Qi), benefits the skin, nourishes Lung Yin.

Back-Shu point of the Lung

Therapeutic indications

Cough
asthma
bronchitis
pneumonia
pulmonary tuberculosis
sore throat
hoarseness
back pain
spontaneous sweating
fever
common cold
skin diseases
hives
hemoptysis
sensation of chest tightness
night sweats
acne
itching
dyspnea
diabetes mellitus (Xiao Ke)
COPD and chronic bronchitis
allergic rhinitis
psoriasis
atopic dermatitis

Name and classical tradition

Feishu, 肺俞, is the back transport point of the Lung: 肺, the lung, and 俞 (腧), the place where Qi is transported, poured, and communicated. It opens the series of back Shu points (背俞穴), in which each Zang and Fu organ has a point along the Bladder channel, one and a half cun from the spine.

The Lingshu (Spiritual Pivot), in the chapter Bei Shu (背腧), lists the Shu points of the organs by vertebra number: “肺腧在三焦之間”, the Shu of the Lung is in the space of the third vertebra. The same chapter explains how to check the location: “按其處，應在中而痛解，乃其腧也”, on pressing, the response is felt inside and the pain is relieved; that is the point. This method of locating by palpation, which predates any system of measurement, is one of the most interesting facts about these points. The Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing (Systematic Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion) proposes measuring by the distance between the nipples, and the Tongren Shuxue Zhenjiu Tujing, in the Song period, adds a cross-palpation technique: “搭手，左取右，右取左”: resting the hand on the shoulder, the left hand is used to find the right side and the right hand the left.

Next to it, on the outer line, is BL42, Pohu, the “gate of the po,” which points to the spiritual aspect of the Lung.

The point that hurtsLung Back-Shu: third vertebra

Location of point BL13, Lung Shu — Reusable plate · CC BY-ND 4.0 (opens in a new tab)

View point on the 3D modelBL13 on the anatomy

Needling techniqueOblique insertion 0.5-0.8 cun toward the spine. It can also be needled horizontally toward BL14 (Jueyinshu). Avoid deep needling inward so as not to damage the lungs.

Depth0.5-0.8 cun

MoxibustionApplicable (3-7 cones or 5-15 minutes)

Patterns that use it · 16

Excess Heat in the LungRegulates Lung Qi and disperses Heat.
Lung Deficiency-ColdTonifies Lung Qi and warms Yang.
Lung Yin DeficiencyNourishes Lung Yin and regulates Qi.
Lung Qi DeficiencyTonifies Lung Qi.
Phlegm-Heat in the LungRegulates the Lung and eliminates phlegm.
Cold-Phlegm in the LungWarms the Lung and eliminates Cold-Phlegm.
Wind-Cold invading the LungStrengthens the Lung and disperses Cold.
Phlegm-Dampness in the LungRegulates the Lung and eliminates phlegm.
Lung Qi SinkingStrengthens and raises the Qi.
Lung Qi DeviationHarmonizes Lung Qi.
Lung Qi StagnationMoves Lung Qi.
Lung Xue DeficiencyNourishes the Lung and strengthens Xue.
Lung Xue StasisActivates circulation in the Lung.
Heat in the Lung BloodRegulates the Lung and disperses Heat.
Cold in the Lung BloodWarms the Lung and disperses Cold.
Lung Bleeding PatternRegulates the Lung and controls bleeding.

Classical combinations · 2

Supporting the exhausted Lung
- BL13
- BL43
- LU9
Lung Back-Shu point with the Vital Point and the Yuan-Source point: nourishes the Qi and Yin of the Lung.
Transform Phlegm and stop cough
The Luo-Connecting point of the Stomach cuts off Phlegm production at its source; the Mu and Shu points clear it from the chest.

Basic formulas from the vademecum · 1

View the vademecum

Named functional sets from the school: here the point does not act on its own, but through the role it plays within the maneuver.

Tonify the Upper JiaoShu-Mu technique for the chest: CV17 as the Front-Mu point of the Pericardium and Influential point of Qi, with the Back-Shu points of the Lung (BL13), Pericardium (BL14), and Heart (BL15).
- CV17
- BL13
- BL14
- BL15

Cover of the guide “Protocols for the 20 most common patterns”

Free guide · PDF

Protocols for the 20 patterns you see most in practice

Each pattern with its tongue, its pulse, the treatment principle and the points to tonify and disperse. Made for the treatment table, not the bookshelf.

Do you use BL13 with your patients?

In the Clinic you record it in the patient's file, next to the tongue, the pulse and the measurements, so at the next session you know exactly what you used. The Atlas is built in.

See the Clinic