BL10

Tianzhu

Star

天柱 (Tiānzhù) — Celestial Pillar

Bladder channel · point 10

Not yet clinically reviewed

Window of Heaven pointSea of Qi point

Traditionally used for

Headaches
Dizziness
Eye health
Nose & throat
Sleep
Mood & calm
Pain & joints

Location

On the nape, about 1.3 cun lateral to the midline, in the depression at the lateral border of trapezius, level with the upper border of the spinous process of C2.

How to locate: With the patient seated, head slightly flexed, or prone, find GV15 in the midline hollow just below the occiput above the C2 spinous process, then move 1.3 cun laterally onto the outer edge of the thick trapezius cord; the point sits in the depression there.

Regional anatomy: Beneath the skin the needle passes the lateral edge of trapezius and semispinalis capitis to reach rectus capitis posterior major; the medulla lies deep and medial, so the needle is not angled upward toward the skull base.

Distances are in cun, a proportional unit — how to measure.

Body map, back: BL10 · Nape of neck — Fig. — BL10 · Nape of neck After Albinus, 1747

The vertebral column — Gray's Anatomy plate — The vertebral column Gray's Anatomy, 1918

3D view

3D view not available for this point: its position on the 3D model couldn't be checked against its location text, so it is not shown. The 2D maps above show it.

Needling

Cited needling

Perpendicular insertion

Depth 0.5–0.8 cun

skindeeper

Depths describe average adult habitus in the cited population, never a single safe number for the patient in front of you. Palpate and adjust.

Sources (1)

Deadman P, Al-Khafaji M, Baker K. A Manual of Acupuncture. Hove: Journal of Chinese Medicine Publications; 1998 — p. 263 Supports: techniques (names this point)

Site notes · not cited

Depth: 0.5–0.8 cun

Angle: Perpendicular or slightly oblique downward

⚠ Cautions: Do not angle medially and upward toward the foramen magnum — the medulla lies beneath.

Functions

Expels wind and benefits the head and neck
Calms the spirit and clears the sense organs
Descends rebellious qi
Opens the channel and strengthens the lower back

Indications

Occipital headache and stiff neckdizziness and nasal congestionsore throatred and painful eyesinsomnia and anxietyshoulder and back pain

Clinical Notes

A principal point for neck pain and occipital headache; also valuable where a headache and disturbed sleep occur together.

Combinations Using This Point

Tianzhu and Kunlun

BL10 and BL60, the nape and ankle of the Bladder channel — for headache, dizziness, stiff neck, nasal obstruction, epilepsy and lumbosacral pain.

Fengchi, Tianzhu and Dazhui

Fengchi, Tianzhu and Dazhui across the nape — a combination for wind invasion with headache and fever, stiff neck, cough and convulsions.

Sources

World Health Organization. WHO Standard Acupuncture Point Locations in the Western Pacific Region. Manila: WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific, 2008. (Location.)
Focks C, ed. Atlas of Acupuncture. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, 2008. (Locating method and actions.)

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