Bladder Meridian

The Bladder meridian is the longest meridian in the body, and it has more points on it than any other meridian. The Bladder meridian is a Yang meridian. It crosses the head, the back, the back of the legs, the side of the foot and ends on the small toe.

“The Bladder is where the water converges and where, after being catalyzed by the qi, it is eliminated.” – Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Medicine

With 67 acupoints, it has more points on it than any other meridian.
The first point of the Bladder meridian (also referred to as the Urinary Bladder meridian) is found on the inside corner of the eye. This point is BL 1. From here, the external pathway runs up and over the head and down the entire back side of the body, ending at the acupoint BL 67 at the tip of the small toe.
Among other things, I use the Bladder meridian to relieve headaches, eye strain, neck pain, back pain, hip pain, knee pain, and ankle pain. By massaging the Bladder meridian and many of the points along the back, pain can be prevented, and an overall sense of energy and vitality is sensed throughout the body-mind.

Bladder meridian diagram

Bladder meridian begins at the eye and ends on the little toe.

Famous Bladder Point

BL 60* Kun Lun – “Kunlun Mountains”

There are many famous Bladder points! I chose to show off UB 60 since it’s easy to find and effects the entire meridian. Pressure on BL 60 stimulates the Qi (energy) within the whole meridian to come pouring down the back, bringing relief from pain and stress.

*Do not use this point in pregnancy.
Bladder 60

Use Bladder 60 open the flow of Qi in the back, hips and legs.

Locate BL 60

BL 60 is found midway between the high point of the outer ankle bone and the Achilles Tendon. Gently contact this area, feeling for a slight indentation in the tissue where BL 60 is located. Apply gentle circular massage to encourage the movement of Qi in the whole Bladder meridian.

The Bladder Meridian is central to keeping the back healthy and for reducing back pain.

Here is a blog post I wrote all about how to reduce back pain using meridian massage.

Cindy Black

Cindy Black is the Founder of Big Tree School of Natural Healing and the author of Meridian Massage, Pathways to Vitality. She is appreciated for her ability to make the complex accessible, fun, and practical.

19 Comments

  1. Michael H on July 15, 2018 at 9:30 am

    Thank you very much Cindy, this is a great resource for the health conscious person interested in more subtle things.

  2. […] all types of back pain. In particular, these points are great for low back pain. Since the Bladder meridian travels down the neck, I also use these points to relieve neck […]

  3. Ilirjana Beshku on July 9, 2017 at 9:50 am

    I love your work!!!! Thank you very much!

    • Cindy Black on July 9, 2017 at 10:02 am

      You are welcome – thank you for brightening my day!

  4. Genesis M. Roy, LMT, ISHA on June 18, 2016 at 2:21 pm

    Thank you Cindy : Meridian work on the Bladder has brought about much relief for me recovering from spinal surgery. It always amazes me. The bladder meridian webinar was awesome once again giving me many aha’ moments of making the complex, simple … Again thank you so much!

    • Cindy Black, L.Ac., LMT on June 18, 2016 at 3:12 pm

      It’s my pleasure! 🙂

  5. Karen Wilson on June 18, 2016 at 10:47 am

    I so enjoy your posts. Thank you very much for sharing.
    I am looking forward to your webinar☀️

    • Cindy Black, L.Ac., LMT on June 18, 2016 at 10:57 am

      You are welcome Karen. See you later on the webinar! 🙂

  6. 4 Acupressure Points to relieve back pain on May 31, 2016 at 1:53 pm

    […] all types of back pain. In particular, these points are great for low back pain. Since the Bladder meridian travels down the neck, I also use these points to relieve neck […]

  7. HELEN RIDLEY on April 20, 2016 at 8:39 am

    LOVE YOUR WORK CINDY..THANKYOU

    • Cindy Black, L.Ac., LMT on April 20, 2016 at 8:47 am

      You are welcome – it’s my pleasure! 🙂

  8. Mary Louder on April 20, 2016 at 8:27 am

    Hi, what does it mean and what can I do if the BL60 is is swollen? It’s only swollen on my right ankle.
    Thanks you!

    • Cindy Black, L.Ac., LMT on April 20, 2016 at 8:51 am

      Hi Mary,
      Swelling at the ankle and around BL 60 can be a variety of things. This is a kind of symptom that I’m not able to just say – “oh, it’s this or that”.
      I would consult with a local practitioner so that they can take in your whole story, observe your ankle and your whole body-mind in order to to the best conclusion.

  9. […] The Urinary Bladder (UB)  meridian travels along the entire back, through the sacrum, across the buttocks, down the hamstrings and gastrocnemius (calf) muscles, and along the lateral (outside) edge of the foot ending on the 5th toe (see picture below). Whenever there is a concern about low back pain, always consider the UB meridian.  (The Urinary Bladder meridian is the same as the Bladder meridian.) […]

  10. Wheeler Little Dog on December 6, 2015 at 12:11 pm

    Thank you. Cindy

    • Cindy Black, L.Ac., LMT on April 20, 2016 at 8:51 am

      You are welcome! 🙂

  11. Linda on January 13, 2015 at 10:58 am

    Thank you for sharing these healing tips! It is so interesting and helpful!
    Sicerely,
    Linda Vass

    • Cindy Black, L.Ac., LMT on January 13, 2015 at 11:01 am

      You are welcome – I really enjoy my work!

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