Shu Points are a group of points located on the back, 1.5 cun lateral to spinous processes of the thoracic and lumbar vertebra on the Urinary Bladder channel. Shu points are where the Qi of each of the 12 Zang Fu organs surfaces and gathers. Accordingly, each of the Shu points strongly tonifies its corresponding organ and is indicated for a wide variety of disharmonies of that organ. Below the Shu points are presented as a group. One additional note, the Back Shu points, correspond to a similar group of points on the front of the body known as 'Mu' points. There is a Front Mu point for each of the Zang Fu organs, but they occur on different channels. While they perform similar functions, the Back Shu points are sometimes preferred in clinical practice as they are more easily accessed, but otherwise there is little difference between the two groups of points in terms of treating disharmonies of the Zang Fu organs. Another quality of all these points, Mu and Shu is that they tend to become tender when there is organ disharmony so they can be quite useful for diagnostic purposes. Finally, these points tend to be used in combinations. For example, for conditions in the chest, Heart and Lung Shu points may be needled together, similarly, Spleen and Stomach Shu are often needled together.

Location

note; all the shu points are located on the inner Urinary Bladder channel. The UB channel runs down the back in two separate paths. The inner channel is located at a distance midway between the midline of the spine, and a line drawn parallel from the innermost border of the Scapula or 1.5 cun lateral to the spine. The outer channel runs in a parallel line at a distance from the spine level with the inner border of the Scapula or 3 cun lateral to the spine. All the Shu points are located on the inner channel. A cun is the distance between the 2nd and 3rd knuckles, or the distance at the widest part of the thumb.

Feishu -Lung Shu - Urinary Bladder 13 - 1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the Third Thoracic Vertebra (T3)

Jueyinshu - Pericardium Shu - Urinary Bladder 14 - 1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of spinous process of the Fourth Thoracic Vertebra (T4).

Xinshu - Heart Shu - Urinary Bladder 15 - 1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the Fifth Thoracic Vertebra (T5).

Geshu - Diaphragm Shu - Urinary Bladder 17 - 1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process the Seventh Thoracic Vertebra (T7).

Ganshu - Liver Shu - Urinary bladder 18 - 1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the Ninth Thoracic Vertebra (T9).

Danshu - Gallbladder Shu - Urinary Bladder 19 - 1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the Tenth Thoracic Vertebra (T10).

Pishu - Spleen Shu - Urinary Bladder 20 - 1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the Eleventh Thoracic Vertebra (T11).

Weishu - Stomach Shu - Urinary Bladder 21 - 1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the Twelfth Thoracic Vertebra (T12).

Sanjiaoshu - Sanjiao Shu - Urinary Bladder 22 - 1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the First Lumbar Vertebra (L1) .

Shenshu - Kidney Shu - Urinary bladder 23 - 1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the Second Lumbar Vertebra (L2).

Dachangshu - Large Intestine Shu - Urinary Bladder 25 - 1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the Fourth Lumbar Vertebra (L4).

Xiaochangshu " Small Intestine Shu " - Urinary Bladder 27 - 1.5 cun lateral to the midline, at the level of the First Posterior sacral Foramen.

Pangguangshu " Bladder Shu " - Urinary Bladder 28 - 1.5 cun lateral to the midline, at the level of the Second Posterior Sacral Foramen.

Needling

Feishu - insert at 45 degree angle towards the spine, 0.5 to 1.0 inch. Perpendicular insertion carries substantial risk of puncturing the Lung (Pneumothorax).

Jueyinshu - insert at 45 degree angle towards the spine, 0.5 to 1.0 inch. Perpendicular insertion carries substantial risk of puncturing the Lung (Pneumothorax).

Xinshu - insert at 45 degree angle towards the spine, 0.5 to 1.0 inch. Perpendicular insertion carries substantial risk of puncturing the Lung (Pneumothorax).

Geshu - insert at 45 degree angle towards the spine, 0.5 to 1.0 inch. Perpendicular insertion carries substantial risk of puncturing the Lung (Pneumothorax).

Ganshu - insert at 45 degree angle toward the spine, 0.5 to 1.0 inch. Perpendicular insertion carries substantial risk of puncturing the Lung (Pneumothorax).

Danshu - insert at 45 degree angle toward the spine, 0.5 to 1.0 inch. Perpendicular insertion carries substantial risk of puncturing the Lung (Pneumothorax).

Pishu - insert at 45 degree angle toward the spine, 0.5 to 1.0 inch. Perpendicular insertion carries substation risk of puncturing the Lung (Pneumothorax).

Weishu - insert at 45 degree angle toward the spine, 0.5 to 1.0 inch. Perpendicular insertion carries substantial risk of puncturing the Lung (Pneumothorax).

Sanjiaoshu - perpendicular insertion, or at a 45 degree angle toward the spine 1.0 to 1.5 inch. Deep perpendicular insertion, especially in thin patients may injure the Kidney.

Shenshu - perpendicular insertion or at a 45 degree angle toward the spine, 1.0 to 1.5 inch. Deep perpendicular insertion, especially in thin patients may injure the Kidney.

Dachangshu - perpendicular insertion 1.0 to 1.5 inch.

Xiaochangshu - perpendicular insertion 0.5 to 1.0 inch.

Pangguangshu - perpendicular insertion 0.5 to 1.0 inch

Moxa is OK

Actions

Each of the Shu points has a balancing effect on its respective organ and is indicated in a variety of disorders specific to the organ.

Feishu - is the point of choice for all disorders of the Lung

Jueyinshu - is the Shu point of the Pericardium. Jueyinshu is an exception among the Shu points in that it is named after its channel rather than the organ. This emphasizes its main action of invigorating Qi in the channel to 'unbind the chest' in addition to its Shu function of treating a wide variety of Heart dysfunctions, including psycho-emotional disorders.

Xinshu - is equally effective to treat all disorders of the Heart, including psycho-emotional disorders.

Geshu - while not a Shu point of a specific Zang Fu organ, it is an 'honourary' Shu, of the diaphragm, with the ability to treat disorders of the region between the Lungs and Stomach. More importantly, it is the Hui-Meeting point of Blood. Geshu is the point of choice for virtually all blood disorders arising out of the three main categories: blood stasis, blood heat, and blood deficiency.

Ganshu - the main function of the Liver is to 'promote the free flow of Qi' in the body. In addition it stores blood, dominates the sinews, and opens into the eyes. Free flow of Qi is vital to health in the body, and Ganshu is the point of choice to regulate and tonify the Liver.

Danshu - is an important point to regulate the Gallbladder Fu organ. Its main function is to clear damp-heat. It is a preeminent point for treating Jaundice and the symptoms of Jaundice.

Pishu - strongly regulates and tonifies the functions of the Spleen.

Weishu - strongly regulates and tonifies the functions of the Stomach.

Sanjiaoshu - strongly regulates and tonifies the Sanjiao which is responsible for Qi and water passage through the three Jiao (upper( Lung,Heart), middle (Stomach, Spleen, Liver) and lower (Bladder, Kidney).

Shenshu - is the point of choice for regulating and strengthening the Kidneys and is indicated in virtually all Kidney disorders.

Dachangshu - is indicated to treat a broad range of Large Intestine disorders.

Xiaochangshu - it is the function of the Small Intestine to 'separate the pure from the turbid', that is extract vital elements from food that has rotted and ripened in the stomach and pass on the waste to the Large Intestine for elimination, Xiaochangshu has a strong effect not only on its own organ, but on the organs above and below it. Its main use is to promote the draining downward of turbid waste.

Pangguangshu - strongly tonifies the Bladder. Its main use is to promote drainage from the lower jiao.

Signs and Symptoms

* the following are the main signs and symptoms of organ dysfunction and not an exhaustive list of every sign one may encounter in clinical practice. See TCM Diagnosis for more detailed information.

Feishu - cough, chest pain/fullness, mania, propensity to sadness

Jeuyinshu - chest pain/oppression, cough, shortness of breath

Xinshu - heart pain, chest oppression, restlessness, psycho-emotional disorders, inappropriate laughter

Geshu - chest oppression, epigastric pain, pain of the whole body, bleeding,

Ganshu - pain of lateral costal region, irritability/anger, blurred vision, neck rigidity

Danshu - jaundice, dry throat, blurred vision, shao yang syndrome

Pishu - abdominal pain/distention, heaviness in the body and limbs, lassitude, propensity to worry

Weishu - epigastric pain, vomiting, abdominal fullness

Sanjiaoshu - borborygmus, abdominal distention, edema, masses, urinary problems,

Shenshu - edema, urinary/genital problems, menstrual problems, lumbar pain, phobias, propensity to be startled

Dachangshu - intestinal problems, abdominal pain/distention, lumbar pain,

Xiaochangshu - urinary problems, 'wasting & thirsting' (diabetes), lumbar pain, masses

Pangguangshu - urinary problems, genital problems, diarrhea, lower back & buttock pain