Feishu Point (BL-13 / Lung Shu, Back Transporting Point of the Lung)
Disperses lung qi and relieves wheezing, stops cough and transforms phlegm, dispels wind and pathogens. Based on its properties, it is clinically used for colds, lung diseases, and skin disorders.
Indications
Cough with qi counterflow, chest fullness with wheezing and dyspnea, and spinal and back pain. (1) Exterior patterns: Cold, fever. (2) Respiratory disorders: Cough, hemoptysis, wheezing, chest tightness. (3) Skin disorders: Pruritus, urticaria, rashes, acne, psoriasis. (4) Others: Bone-steaming with tidal fever, night sweats, flaccidity syndrome, rhinitis, stye, etc.
Precise Location
In the spinal region, below the spinous process of the 3rd thoracic vertebra, 1.5 cun lateral to the posterior midline.
Location Method
First locate the spinous process of the 7th cervical vertebra (C7), then count down 3 thoracic spinous processes to T3 – the point is 2 finger-widths lateral to the lower edge of this spinous process.
Massage Method
① Massage: Press and knead with the thumb. ② Scraping therapy: Scrape from the center outward for 3–5 minutes. Press and knead Feishu with the thumb about 200 times, or for 3–5 minutes daily, to prevent and treat pulmonary disorders. Therapeutic actions: Disperses lung qi and relieves wheezing, stops cough and transforms phlegm, dispels wind and pathogens.
Compatibility
Cold: Combine with Zusanli (ST-36) and Waiguan (TE-5). Wind-cold cough: Combine with Lieque (LU-7), Hegu (LI-4), and Waiguan (TE-5). Wind-heat cough: Combine with Chize (LU-5), Quchi (LI-11), and Dazhui (GV-14). Phlegm-damp cough: Combine with Taiyuan (LU-9), Fenglong (ST-40), and Yinlingquan (SP-9). Acne: Combine with Xuehai (SP-10), Quchi (LI-11), Dazhui (GV-14), and Hegu (LI-4). Pruritus and skin rashes: Combine with Quchi (LI-11), Xuehai (SP-10), Sanyinjiao (SP-6), and Fengchi (GB-20). Asthma attack: Combine with Tiantu (RN-22), Dingchuan (EX-B1), and Tanzhong (RN-17). Night sweats: Combine with Fuliu (KI-7) and Yixi (BL-45). Hemoptysis: Combine with Geshu (BL-17), Kongzui (LU-6), Taiyuan (LU-9), and Yuji (LU-10). Bone-steaming with tidal fever: Combine with Gaohuang (BL-43) and Sanyinjiao (SP-6).
Efficacy & Actions
Feishu belongs to the Foot Taiyang Bladder Meridian and is the Back Transporting Point where lung meridian qi is transported to the back. Located close to the lung, it has a direct internal-external correspondence with the lung and can regulate lung meridian qi. It is a commonly used point for treating lung disorders – especially effective for asthma. First documented in Lingshu · Beishu. As it internally corresponds to the lung and is where lung meridian qi is transported, it is an important point for treating lung disorders – hence the name Feishu (Lung Shu). (1) Common Point for Treating Exterior Patterns: As a Bladder Meridian point and the Back Transporting Point of the lung – the Bladder governs the exterior, and the Lung governs the skin and body hair – it is highly effective for exterior patterns. Bloodletting, cupping, moxibustion, or needling may be used depending on the patient's condition. (2) Primary Point for Lung Disorders: As the Back Transporting Point of the lung – the point of lung qi transport and infusion, close to the lung with direct internal-external correspondence – it regulates lung qi and treats cough, wheezing, hemoptysis, and chest tightness. It is an important point for respiratory diseases, especially effective for asthma and chronic bronchitis. The Zhenjiu Jiayijing states: "Lung qi heat with inability to lie down due to breathing difficulty, qi counterflow with vomiting froth, continuous wheezing, chest fullness and hypochondriac tension, difficulty breathing... Feishu is the primary point." The Zhenjiu Zisheng Jing states: "When there is wheezing or asthma, pressing Feishu always causes soreness – moxibustion at Feishu cures it." Clinical methods include needling, moxibustion, herbal patches, thread embedding, bloodletting, and cupping. A case from Yu Zhen's Gujin Yian An: A patient with cough, hemoptysis, fever, and emaciation – treated for years without improvement. Zhu Danxi diagnosed with a choppy pulse and moxibusted both Feishu points – after five treatments, the chronic condition was cured. The fundamental principle for treating five zang disorders is to first use the corresponding Back Transporting Point – for lung disorders, Feishu is the first choice. (3) Common Point for Skin Disorders: Dispersing wind and pathogens, releasing the exterior and draining heat – used for various skin disorders such as pruritus, urticaria, acne, herpes zoster, dermatitis, and psoriasis. The principle is based on the lung governing the skin and body hair, and the Bladder governing the exterior. Needling combined with bloodletting is often used. (4) Other Therapeutic Effects: Also used for flaccidity syndrome, bone-steaming with tidal fever, night sweats, rhinitis, stye, various deficiency patterns, and upper jiao disorders – moxibustion is often preferred for these conditions.
Contraindications
The deep layer of Feishu contains the pleural cavity and lungs – vertical or deep needling should be avoided to prevent injury to internal organs. Oblique needling is generally used; vertical needling should not exceed 0.8 cun, adjusted according to the patient's body type – needling obliquely toward the spine is optimal. As the ancient saying goes: "The back is thin like a pancake, the abdomen deep like a well." Therefore, needling depth on the back requires special attention to prevent pneumothorax.
