This is a technique for massaging the “Back-Shu” acupressure points of Traditional Chinese Medicine. These points have a direct connection to the internal organs (rather than indirectly through the channels), and are particularly effective for chronic conditions and for strengthening the associated organ network.
- Position two massage/squash balls so you can slide four fingers between them.
- Lie supine, in a “constructive rest” position (knees bent, soles of the feet grounded), keeping your spine midway between the massage balls.
- Roll down one vertebra/back rib at a time, from the gap below T1, pausing for as long as you like, relaxing and sinking into each thoracic space.
- Aim to roll down the crest of the paraspinal muscles (along the length of longissimus thoracis).
- Control the intensity by altering the pressure under your feet.
⚠️ Avoid the cervical (neck) area, or rolling directly over any vertebrae.
When you initially contact the points there can be some aching or soreness. So long as this is not acute or unbearable, I would suggest enduring this sensation until it begins to subside. Then you might want to press against the floor with your feet and lift your hips to increase the pressure on the points, and again wait until the intensity of the sensation diminishes.
For a more dynamic variation, place the massage balls between the Back-Shu and a wall, rolling up and down from a squat to a standing position.
Here’s a list of the points’ names and main actions. I quote the vertebra first, then the numerical point on the Bladder channel, its Pinyin name and translation, and its major uses.
Note that capitalised organ names indicate the energetic network, and not necessarily the physical organ itself.
Each point is located level with the lower border of the indicated vertebra, 1.5 “cun” lateral to the midline. One cun is roughly equivalent to a thumb’s breadth (of the person being measured).
T1 BL-11 Dazhu Great Shuttle: benefits bones/joints, regulates the Lung, expels pathogens, relieves cough
T2 BL-12 Fengmen Wind Gate: fortifies defensive (Wei) Qi, descends Lung Qi, relieves nasal congestion
T3 BL-13 Feishu Lung Shu: Strengthens the Lung, nourishes Lung Yin, clears heat from the Lung
T4 BL-14 Jueyinshu Terminal Yin Shu: Spreads Liver Qi, regulates the Heart, relieves agitation and restlessness, relieves oppression and palpitations in the chest
T5 BL-15 Xinshu Heart Shu: Strengthens and nourishes the Heart, calms the spirit, regulates Heart Qi and clears Heart fire
T6 BL-16 Dushu Governor Shu: Regulates Qi of the chest and abdomen
T7 BL-17 Geshu Diaphragm Shu: Invigorates, nourishes and cools the blood, regulates the diaphragm, descends “rebellious” Qi
T8 (No active point at this vertebra)
T9 BL-18 Ganshu Liver Shu: Spreads Liver Qi, benefits eyes and sinews, nourishes Liver blood, cools fire and clears damp-heat
T10 BL-19 Danshu Gallbladder Shu: Clears damp-heat from Liver and Gallbladder, clears pathogens from Gallbladder and Triple Burner (San Jiao), supports general deficiency
T11 BL-20 Pishu Spleen Shu: Strengthens Qi and Yang of the Spleen, resolves damp, harmonises the middle Jiao, raises Spleen Qi and holds the blood
T12 BL-21 Weishu Stomach Shu: Regulates the Stomach and descends “rebellious” Qi, harmonises the middle Jiao
L1 BL-22 Sanjiaoshu Triple Burner Shu: Regulates the Triple Burner (communicating spaces created by fascial network), regulates Spleen & Stomach, resolves damp and masses, regulates water passages and promotes urination
L2 BL-23 Shenshu Kidney Shu: Fortifies Kidneys and Yang, benefits the Essence (Jing), nourishes Kidney Yin, regulates water passages and promotes urination, benefits the ears, eyes and uterus, strengthens the lumbar spine
L3 BL-24 Qihaishu Sea of Qi Shu: Strengthens the lumbar spine and legs, regulates the lower Jiao
L4 BL-25 Dachangshu Large Intestine Shu: Regulates the intestines, alleviates pain/stagnation, strengthens the lumbar spine and legs
L5 BL-26 Guanyuanshu Gate of Origin Shu: Strengthens the lumbar spine, regulates the lower Jiao
First sacral foramen BL-27 Xiaochangshu Small Intestine Shu: Regulates the intestines and Bladder, separates the “pure” from the “turbid”, clears damp-heat and regulates Qi of the Small Intestine
Second sacral foramen BL-28 Pangguangshu Bladder Shu: Regulates the Bladder, clears damp-heat from the lower Jiao, clears stagnation, benefits the lumbar spine and legs
Third sacral foramen BL-29 Zhonglushu Mid-spine Shu: Benefits the lumbar region (especial stiffness or inability to turn the spine), dispels cold, stops diarrhoea
Fourth sacral foramen BL-30 Baihuanshu White Ring Shu: Benefits the lumbar region (including sacrum & coccyx) and legs, regulates menstruation, stops leucorrhoea and seminal emission
Information derived from A Manual of Acupuncture by Peter Deadman and Mazin Al-Khafaji with Kevin Baker, published by Journal of Chinese Medicine Publications in 2018 (reprint).
The Azure Dragon 