Yixi Point (BL-45 / Sighing Sound, also known as Wuqushu)
Discover the exact location and acupressure method for Yixi (BL-45 / Sighing Sound). Learn its benefits for cough, wheezing, shoulder and back pain, and hypochondriac pain – plus classic combinations for comprehensive treatment.
Indications
Cough, wheezing, shoulder and back pain, hypochondriac pain, chest and hypochondriac fullness, malaria, and dizziness.
Precise Location
In the spinal region, below the spinous process of the 6th thoracic vertebra, 3 cun lateral to the posterior midline. At the level where the line connecting the inferior angles of the scapulae intersects with the spine (approximately the 7th thoracic vertebra), count 1 vertebra upward to the 6th thoracic vertebra – the point is 4 finger-widths (approximately 3 cun) lateral to the lower edge of this spinous process.
Location Method
Sit upright or lie prone. First locate the spinous process of the 7th thoracic vertebra (at the level of the inferior angle of the scapulae), count 1 vertebra upward to the spinous process of the 6th thoracic vertebra – the point is 4 finger-widths (approximately 3 cun) lateral to the lower edge of this spinous process.
Massage Method
① Massage: Press and knead with the thumb. ② Moxibustion: Apply mild-warm moxa stick. Press and knead Yixi with the thumb about 200 times, or for 3–5 minutes daily, to treat shoulder and back pain, cough, and wheezing. Therapeutic actions: Disperses lung qi and stops cough, regulates qi and relieves wheezing, relaxes the sinews and unblocks the collaterals, dispels wind and relieves pain.
Compatibility
Shoulder and back pain: Combine with Dazhui (GV-14) and Jianwaishu (SI-14). Cough and wheezing: Combine with Feishu (BL-13), Tiantu (RN-22), and Tanzhong (RN-17). Hypochondriac pain and chest fullness: Combine with Yanglingquan (GB-34) and Zhigou (TE-6). Malaria: Combine with Dazhui (GV-14) and Houxi (SI-3).
Efficacy & Actions
This point belongs to the Foot Taiyang Bladder Meridian. It disperses lung qi and stops cough, regulates qi and relieves wheezing, relaxes the sinews and unblocks the collaterals, dispels wind and relieves pain. It is a commonly used key point for treating lung-related and shoulder-back disorders. First documented in Lingshu · Jingmai. "Yixi" is an onomatopoeia for sighing or groaning. Located on the back, patients often make sighing sounds when needled here – hence the name Yixi (Sighing Sound). It is also known as "Wuqushu."
Contraindications
Located on the back, needling should not be too deep – generally oblique needling at 0.5–0.8 cun to avoid injury to internal organs. Moxibustion is permissible.
