Feishu (BL13): The Lung's Back-Shu Point for Respiratory Health

Feishu: The Lung’s Back-Shu Point

Feishu (肺俞, BL13), meaning “Lung Transport Point,” is the Back-Shu point of the Lung and one of the most important acupoints for respiratory health in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Located on the upper back, it serves as a direct energetic gateway to the Lung organ system.

Among the hundreds of acupoints on the body, Back-Shu points hold a special status — they are considered the most effective points for treating their corresponding Zang-Fu organs. Feishu is to the Lung what a master key is to a lock: precise, powerful, and essential.

Understanding Back-Shu Points (背俞穴)

Back-Shu points are a set of acupoints located on the Bladder Meridian along either side of the spine. Each corresponds to one of the Zang-Fu organs and is believed to be where the organ’s Qi gathers on the back surface of the body.

The significance of Back-Shu points:

Feature	Description
Location	Para-spinal, on the Bladder Meridian
Function	Direct connection to their corresponding organ
Use	Primary points for treating chronic organ disorders
Nature	Often tender when the corresponding organ is diseased

There are 12 primary Back-Shu points, one for each Zang and Fu organ. When an organ is diseased or imbalanced, its Back-Shu point often becomes tender, making these points useful for both diagnosis and treatment.

Location

Feishu is located on the back, bilateral (both sides):

• Standard location: 1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the 3rd thoracic vertebra (T3)
• Surface anatomy: Approximately at the level of the medial border of the scapula when the arms are at the sides
• Palpation method: Find the prominent spinous process at the base of the neck (C7), count down 3 vertebrae to T3, then move 1.5 cun (about two finger-widths) laterally

Landmark	Direction
C7 spinous process (most prominent at base of neck)	Starting point
Count down 3 vertebrae	To T3
Move laterally 1.5 cun	To Feishu

Tip: When the patient sits with arms at their sides, Feishu is roughly at the level where the medial border of the scapula meets the spine.

Meridian and Point Category

• Meridian: Bladder Meridian of Foot-Taiyang (足太阳膀胱经)
• Point category: Back-Shu point (背俞穴) of the Lung
• Element: Metal (corresponding to the Lung’s Five Element association)

As a Back-Shu point, Feishu has a particularly strong influence on the Lung and is considered the primary point for all Lung-related disorders.

Key Functions

1. Regulate Lung Qi (调理肺气)

Feishu restores the normal descending and dispersing functions of Lung Qi. When Lung Qi fails to descend, cough and wheezing result; when it fails to disperse, the exterior becomes vulnerable to pathogens.

2. Nourish Lung Yin (滋阴润肺)

For conditions where the Lung is dry and deficient — chronic dry cough, dry throat, thirst — Feishu helps restore the moistening and cooling aspects of Lung Yin.

3. Stop Cough and Resolve Phlegm (止咳化痰)

Whether the cough is acute or chronic, productive or dry, Feishu is a key point. It helps the Lung expel phlegm and restores the smooth flow of Qi in the chest.

4. Strengthen the Defensive Qi (益卫固表)

Since the Lung governs the body’s exterior and Defensive Qi (Wei Qi), Feishu helps strengthen immunity and resistance to external pathogens like wind and cold.

5. Benefit the Skin and Hair (润泽皮毛)

In TCM, the Lung “opens into” the skin and governs body hair. Feishu can therefore be used for skin conditions such as acne, eczema, and dry skin when they relate to Lung dysfunction.

Clinical Applications

Respiratory Conditions

Condition	How Feishu Helps
Cough	Regulates Lung Qi descent, resolves phlegm
Asthma	Relieves wheezing, strengthens Lung Qi
Bronchitis	Clears heat or cold from the Lung, resolves phlegm
Common cold	Releases exterior, strengthens defensive Qi
Allergies	Regulates Lung Qi, strengthens Wei Qi

Skin Conditions

Because the Lung governs the skin, Feishu is effective for:

• Acne — especially when related to Lung heat
• Eczema and dermatitis — when associated with Wind-Heat or Damp-Heat
• Dry, itchy skin — when caused by Lung Yin deficiency
• Pruritus — generalized itching from Wind

Emotional and Constitutional Use

The Lung is associated with grief and letting go. Feishu can help with:

• Chronic grief that has settled in the chest
• Difficulty breathing from emotional constriction
• General weakness and fatigue related to Lung Qi deficiency

Moxibustion on Feishu

Moxibustion (艾灸) on Feishu is one of the most valued traditional techniques for strengthening Lung Qi and preventing respiratory illness:

Preventive Moxibustion (冬病夏治)

The concept of “treating winter diseases in summer” (冬病夏治) is a well-known TCM preventive strategy. Moxibustion applied to Feishu and other back points during the hottest days of summer (三伏天) is believed to:

• Warm and strengthen Lung Yang
• Reduce the frequency and severity of winter asthma and bronchitis
• Boost overall respiratory immunity

How to Apply Moxibustion

1. Use a moxa stick held 2–3 cm above the point
2. Apply gentle warmth for 10–15 minutes per point
3. Treat both sides (bilateral)
4. Repeat 2–3 times per week during the Three Fu Days in summer
5. Always have someone assist — the back is hard to reach alone

Ginger-Moxibustion (隔姜灸)

For stronger effect, place a slice of fresh ginger on Feishu, then place a moxa cone on top. The ginger’s warming properties combine with moxa to deeply penetrate and warm the Lung.

Cupping on Feishu

Cupping (拔罐) on Feishu is highly effective for acute cough, phlegm, and chest congestion:

• Flash cupping: Rapid application and removal for acute conditions
• Retained cupping: Leave cups for 10–15 minutes for chronic conditions
• Moving cupping: Slide cups along the Bladder Meridian for broader effect
• Wet cupping: For severe phlegm-heat patterns (performed by professionals only)

Cupping on Feishu often produces dark purple marks in patients with significant Qi stagnation or blood stasis in the Lung, which gradually fade as the condition improves.

Other Important Back-Shu Points

Feishu is part of a system of organ-associated Back-Shu points. Understanding related points provides a fuller clinical picture:

Back-Shu Point	Location (Vertebral Level)	Corresponding Organ
Feishu BL13	T3	Lung (肺)
Jueyinshu BL14	T4	Pericardium (心包)
Xinshu BL15	T5	Heart (心)
Dushu BL16	T6	Governing Vessel
Geshu BL17	T7	Diaphragm (膈)
Ganshu BL18	T9	Liver (肝)
Danshu BL19	T10	Gallbladder (胆)
Pishu BL20	T11	Spleen (脾)
Weishu BL21	T12	Stomach (胃)
Shenshu BL23	L2	Kidney (肾)

The three most commonly treated Back-Shu points (besides Feishu) are Ganshu BL18 for Liver conditions, Pishu BL20 for Spleen and digestive disorders, and Shenshu BL23 for Kidney deficiency and lower back pain.

Acupressure Self-Care

Self-treatment on Feishu is challenging because of its back location, but possible with these methods:

Partner-Assisted Acupressure

1. Have the person sit or lie face down
2. Locate Feishu on both sides of the spine
3. Apply steady thumb pressure for 1–2 minutes per point
4. Use small circular motions while pressing
5. Breathe deeply during treatment

Foam Roller Technique

1. Lie face up with a foam roller under your upper back
2. Position the roller at the level of the shoulder blades
3. Gently roll up and down, pausing on tender spots
4. Breathe deeply and hold for 20–30 seconds on sensitive areas
5. This indirectly stimulates the para-spinal area including Feishu

Tennis Ball Method

1. Lie on your back on the floor
2. Place a tennis ball on either side of the spine at the Feishu level
3. Apply gentle body weight and hold for 30–60 seconds
4. Move slightly to find the most tender spot

Precautions

• Not for needling by untrained individuals — the back requires proper depth and angle to avoid lung tissue
• Pregnancy: Use caution; consult a qualified practitioner
• Open wounds or skin infections on the back — avoid treatment in the area
• Severe osteoporosis — avoid deep pressure or cupping
• Acute lung conditions like pneumonia require conventional medical treatment — Feishu is complementary, not a replacement
• Moxibustion should be avoided during febrile conditions with excess Heat

Key Takeaways

• Feishu (BL13) is the Back-Shu point of the Lung — the most direct acupoint for treating Lung disorders
• Back-Shu points are where organ Qi gathers on the back, making them powerful diagnostic and therapeutic tools
• Feishu treats cough, asthma, bronchitis, allergies, and skin conditions
• Moxibustion on Feishu during summer (冬病夏治) is a traditional preventive strategy for winter respiratory illness
• Cupping on Feishu is highly effective for acute cough and phlegm
• Self-acupressure requires creative techniques due to the back location

Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only. Feishu is located near the lung cavity — acupuncture should only be performed by licensed practitioners. Consult a qualified TCM professional for diagnosis and treatment.

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