Pangguangshu Point (BL-28 / Bladder Shu, Back Transporting Point of the Bladder)
Discover the exact location and acupressure method for Pangguangshu (BL-28 / Bladder Shu). Learn its benefits for urinary disorders, enuresis, spermatorrhea, and constipation – the Back Transporting Point of the Bladder – plus classic combinations for comprehensive treatment.
Indications
Dark and scanty painful urination, urinary retention, enuresis (urinary incontinence), spermatorrhea, diarrhea, constipation, lumbosacral pain, difficult urination, and strangury.
Precise Location
In the sacral region, level with the 2nd posterior sacral foramen, 1.5 cun lateral to the sacral median crest.
Location Method
Sit upright or lie prone. The point is 2 finger-widths (approximately 1.5 cun) lateral to the midline of the sacral region, level with the 2nd posterior sacral foramen.
Massage Method
Massage: Press and knead with the thumb. Press and knead Pangguangshu with the thumb about 200 times, or for 3–5 minutes, to treat spermatorrhea, enuresis, diarrhea, and constipation. Therapeutic actions: Regulates the water passages, clears and benefits the Bladder, and tonifies the kidney to secure the bladder.
Compatibility
Difficult urination: Combine with Shenshu (BL-23). Dark and scanty painful urination and urinary retention: Combine with Zhongji (RN-3), Sanyinjiao (SP-6), and Yinlingquan (SP-9). Enuresis: Combine with Shenshu (BL-23), Guanyuan (RN-4), and Sanyinjiao (SP-6). Spermatorrhea: Combine with Shenshu (BL-23), Zhishi (BL-52), and Taixi (KI-3). Diarrhea and constipation: Combine with Tianshu (ST-25), Zusanli (ST-36), and Shangjuxu (ST-37). Lumbosacral pain: Combine with Dachangshu (BL-25), Weizhong (BL-40), and Shenshu (BL-23).
Efficacy & Actions
This point belongs to the Foot Taiyang Bladder Meridian and is the Back Transporting Point where qi of the Bladder is transported to the back. It regulates the water passages, clears and benefits the Bladder, and tonifies the kidney to secure the bladder. It is a key point for treating urogenital disorders. First documented in Zhenjiu Jiayijing. "Pangguang" refers to the Bladder; "Shu" means point of transport. This point is where Bladder Meridian qi is transported to the back – an important point for treating bladder disorders – hence the name Pangguangshu (Bladder Shu).
Contraindications
Located in the sacral region, needling should not be too deep – generally 0.8–1.2 cun vertically to avoid internal organ injury. Moxibustion is permissible.
