Bladder (BL)

Traditional Chinese Medicine

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Bladder Meridian (Foot Tai Yang) – Summary

The Bladder Meridian is the longest of the 12 primary meridians in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). It governs urination, water metabolism, and is strongly connected to the autonomic nervous system, muscles, and spinal health. Emotionally, it plays a role in how we process fear and stress.

🔹 Basic Info

Chinese Name: 足太阳膀胱经 (Zú Tàiyáng Pángguāng Jīng)
Element: Water 💧
Yin-Yang Pair: Kidney Meridian
Time of Peak Activity: 3 PM – 5 PM
Number of Points: 67 acupuncture points (BL-1 to BL-67)

🔹 Functions of the Bladder Meridian

Regulates urinary function and fluid balance
Removes excess moisture, edema, and dampness from the body
Governs the sympathetic nervous system
Influences muscles, tendons, bones, and skin
Plays a major role in emotional detox, especially fear and trauma
Houses Back-Shu Points that reflect the health of internal organs

🔹 Bladder Meridian Pathway

Starts at the inner corner of the eye (BL-1)
Travels over the head, down the neck and spine (with two parallel branches on the back)
Runs through the lower back, buttocks, legs, calves
Ends at the little toe (BL-67)

🔹 Common Bladder Meridian Points

Point	Name (Pinyin)	Location	Function
BL-1	Jingming	Inner eye corner	Eye problems, sinus, insomnia
BL-10	Tianzhu	Base of skull	Headaches, stiff neck, clears brain
BL-13	Feishu	Upper back	Back-Shu of Lung – treats asthma, cough
BL-15	Xinshu	Heart level	Back-Shu of Heart – treats anxiety, palpitations
BL-18	Ganshu	Lower thoracic	Back-Shu of Liver – treats anger, eye issues
BL-23	Shenshu	Low back	Back-Shu of Kidney – treats low back pain, fertility
BL-40	Weizhong	Back of knee	Master point for lower back pain, sciatica
BL-67	Zhiyin	Tip of little toe	Breech baby, headaches, labor induction