Lung Shu (BL-13) Pressure Point: Benefits & Technique

The Lung Shu pressure point (BL-13) is most commonly used to support cough and asthma symptoms and is located on the upper back beside the spine at the level of the third thoracic vertebra (T3) (about two finger-widths from the midline, on each side).

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), BL-13 is also called Lung Shu, Feishu, and sometimes written as UB-13 (Urinary Bladder 13). It’s the Back-Shu (Transporting) point of the Lung, traditionally used to help regulate Lung Qi, support Defensive (Wei) Qi, and address patterns like Wind invasion, phlegm, or Lung Heat.

Summary Table

Attribute	Details
Pressure Point Name	BL-13 – Lung Shu (Feishu)
Body Area	Body
Exact Location	Beside the spine at T3 level, ~2 finger-widths (about 4–5 cm) from the midline
Common Uses	Cough, asthma/wheezing, night sweats, skin conditions (immune/Wei Qi support), chronic “consumptive” lung weakness
Stimulation Technique	Firm thumb or finger pressure, 1–3 minutes (often 2–5 minutes per side in practice)
Contraindications	Avoid strong pressure in pregnancy; use caution with severe lung disease; avoid deep/perpendicular techniques over the chest cavity

Clinical Significance & Associated Conditions

BL-13 is a cornerstone point in many respiratory-focused protocols because it sits over the thoracic region associated with lung function and is classically indicated for cough, wheezing, shortness of breath, and phlegm.

From a combined TCM + modern clinical framing, practitioners often choose BL-13 when symptoms cluster into one of these patterns:

• Acute cough/cold presentation (exterior pattern)
  Often paired with nearby Bladder channel points such as Wind Gate (BL-12) to help the body’s surface defenses (Wei Qi) respond appropriately.
• Phlegm and chest congestion
  Used when cough is productive, chest feels full, or breathing feels “stuck.”
• Heat-type respiratory irritation
  For cough with yellow sputum, sore throat, or feverish sensations (TCM “Lung Heat” framing).
• Deficiency-type presentations
  Chronic cough, low voice, fatigue, recurrent infections, or night sweating (often discussed as Lung Qi deficiency or Lung Yin deficiency, depending on the full picture).
• Skin and immune-related complaints (TCM linkage)
  In TCM, the Lung governs the skin and body hair and is closely tied to Defensive (Wei) Qi, so BL-13 is sometimes included for recurrent colds or certain skin conditions in broader plans.

This point can also be relevant when upper-back tension accompanies respiratory symptoms, as the paraspinal tissues at T3 may become guarded with frequent coughing.

Location

BL-13 is on the upper back, on both sides of the spine.

To find it with practical landmarks (no special tools needed):

1. Find the prominent bone at the base of the neck (C7).
2. Move down the spine to the third thoracic vertebra (T3) (roughly the level of the upper shoulder blade region in many bodies).
3. From the midline of the spine at T3, move about two finger-widths outward (approximately 4–5 cm) to locate BL-13 on the right side, and repeat on the left.

What it should feel like:

• Often slightly tender or “alive” to pressure compared with surrounding tissue.
• Located in the paraspinal muscle groove, not directly on the spine.

Point link: BL-13 (Feishu) pressure point library page

How to Stimulate It

Because BL-13 sits over the thoracic cavity, the safest self-care approach is surface-level acupressure (not deep poking).

Standard acupressure technique (self-care):

• Position: Seated leaning slightly forward, or lying face down with a pillow under the chest for comfort.
• Tool: Thumb, fingers, or knuckles (a massage ball against a wall can also work if used gently).
• Pressure level: Firm but comfortable (aim for a “good pressure,” not sharp pain).
• Direction: Press slightly inward toward the spine rather than straight down.
• Duration: 1–3 minutes per side (many protocols use 2–5 minutes per side).
• Frequency:
  • Acute flare-ups: 1–2 times daily for a few days
  • Chronic patterns: 3–5 times per week consistently

Technique cues that matter:

• Use slow circles or steady holds.
• Pair pressure with longer exhalations to encourage relaxation of the intercostals and paraspinals.
• If you’re very sensitive, start with lighter contact for 30–60 seconds and build gradually.

Common pairing (respiratory support):

• Combine BL-13 with nearby spine points such as DU-12 (often used for cough/wheezing in TCM).
• For Wind/exterior presentations, add Wind Gate (BL-12) and Great Shuttle (BL-11) as appropriate.

Benefits and Common Uses

Respiratory support (primary use)

The Lung Shu pressure point is most often used to support:

• Cough (dry or productive, depending on overall pattern)
• Wheezing and asthma-like tightness
• Shortness of breath or the sensation of “not getting a full breath”
• Chest fullness and phlegm congestion patterns (TCM)

Night sweats and deficiency patterns

BL-13 may be included when night sweats occur alongside:

• Chronic respiratory weakness
• Dryness, low voice, fatigue (often discussed as deficiency patterns in TCM)

For sweating patterns specifically, some protocols also consider Heart-related support such as Yin Cleft (HT-6) depending on the broader presentation.

Skin and immune/Wei Qi support (TCM framing)

In TCM theory, the Lung influences the skin and Defensive (Wei) Qi. BL-13 is therefore sometimes used as part of a plan for:

• Recurrent colds or sensitivity to weather changes
• Certain skin conditions where immune and barrier function are part of the pattern discussion

Chronic “consumptive” lung weakness (historical indication)

Classical texts include BL-13 for severe, chronic lung patterns sometimes described historically as “consumption” (a category that can overlap with tuberculosis-like presentations). In modern settings, this is best understood as supportive care only, and never a substitute for medical evaluation and treatment.

Physiological Functions & Mechanisms

From a TCM viewpoint, BL-13 is said to:

• Diffuse and descend Lung Qi (supporting smoother breathing and cough regulation)
• Strengthen Defensive (Wei) Qi to help the body respond to external pathogens (Wind-Cold/Wind-Heat frameworks)
• Help resolve phlegm and clear Heat when those patterns are present

From a modern research perspective, BL-13 is anatomically positioned over thoracic structures, and stimulation may influence:

• Paraspinal neuromuscular tone (which can affect perceived chest tightness and breathing mechanics)
• Autonomic regulation via sensory input from the upper thoracic region
• Immune signaling pathways suggested by preliminary bioinformatics/network analyses in pneumonia-related research

A frequently cited line of evidence includes a 2021 analysis of potential immunologic targets and cytokine-related pathways associated with BL-13 stimulation approaches in pneumonia care; see the open-access paper in PubMed Central on BL-13-related pneumonia targets and pathways for details. Evidence remains preliminary, and most clinical studies use BL-13 as part of multi-point protocols rather than isolating it.

Practitioner Insight (first-person allowed here only)

In practice, I find BL-13 tends to work best when it’s treated as a regulatory point rather than a “hard pressure” point—steady, moderate contact paired with slow breathing often produces a clearer change in chest comfort than aggressive pressure. I also prefer working both sides, even if symptoms feel one-sided, because the paraspinal tissues frequently hold asymmetrical tension during coughing.

Safety & Contraindications

BL-13 lies over the thoracic cage, with the pleural cavity relatively close beneath the surface in some body types. Acupressure is generally low risk when done gently, but technique still matters.

Use caution or avoid strong stimulation if:

• You are pregnant (avoid strong, sustained pressure on back-shu regions unless cleared by your clinician)
• You have severe COPD/emphysema, significant structural lung disease, or are medically fragile
• You are very thin with minimal tissue over the ribs (use lighter pressure)
• You have unexplained chest pain, coughing blood, high fever, or worsening shortness of breath (seek urgent medical evaluation)

Practical safety tips:

• Do not use sharp tools or intense poking pressure.
• Avoid prolonged breath-holding while pressing the point.
• If you use a ball against a wall, keep pressure gentle and controlled.

For broader guidance, see our acupressure safety guide and browse more techniques in our acupressure education hub.

As always, listen to your body and stop if discomfort arises.

Related Points & Techniques

BL-13 is commonly combined with other points depending on the pattern (exterior, phlegm, heat, deficiency).

Complementary pressure points (with links):

• Wind Gate (BL-12) for exterior Wind-type presentations (early cold/flu patterns in TCM)
• Great Shuttle (BL-11) for upper-back support and channel regulation in the thoracic region
• Cubit Marsh (LU-5) often used for cough, phlegm-heat patterns, and descending Lung Qi
• Channel Ditch (LU-8) sometimes used to support Lung channel regulation (often selected based on pulse/pattern assessment)
• Yin Cleft (HT-6) when night sweating or deficiency-type sweating patterns are part of the picture

Adjunct techniques (non-point-specific):

• Diaphragmatic breathing during stimulation (slow inhale, longer exhale)
• Gentle tapping along the upper back (light percussion) before holding BL-13
• Heat therapy (warm compress) to soften paraspinal tension before acupressure
• Moxibustion is traditionally used on back-shu points for deficiency patterns, but should be performed with appropriate training and safety controls

Scientific Perspective

Research that isolates BL-13 alone is limited, but integrative studies and mechanistic analyses support why it’s repeatedly chosen in respiratory protocols:

• A 2021 paper available through PubMed Central explored BL-13-related targets and pathways in pneumonia, highlighting potential involvement in cytokine signaling and immune-response pathways (including IL-related signaling). This kind of work is hypothesis-generating rather than definitive clinical proof, but it aligns with BL-13’s long-standing use for cough and lung-related patterns.
• For a broader, evidence-based overview of acupuncture/acupressure as part of integrative care, readers can also reference the NIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) acupuncture overview, which summarizes safety considerations and the current state of evidence across conditions.

Overall, the most responsible interpretation is: BL-13 is clinically plausible and traditionally well-established, with early mechanistic evidence suggesting immune and inflammation relevance, but it should be used as supportive care, not a replacement for diagnosis or treatment.

Image Prompt (for illustrator/AI generator)

Prompt: Black line illustration of a human Body showing the location of Lung Shu. Minimalist and educational style.
Image Title: BL-13 Pressure Point Location on the Body
Alt Text: Black line diagram showing BL-13 pressure point on the Body