Bladder meridian
BL-60 (Kūnlún, 昆仑) — Kunlun Mountains
- Meridian
- Bladder (BL)
- Anatomical view
- lateral
- Point classification
- Jing-river and Fire point of the Bladder channel.
- Depth reference
- 0.5-1.0 cun perpendicular
- Moxibustion
- Indirect or non-scarring moxa only; direct moxa is avoided over the calcaneal tendon
- Reference aliases
- BL60; Kunlun; 昆仑; Kunlun Mountains
Anatomical location
At the posterolateral ankle, in the hollow between the lateral malleolus and the calcaneal tendon.
Traditional actions
Traditionally clears excess from the channel, relaxes the sinews, and relieves pain along the head, back, and leg.
Recorded indications
Primary: Reference uses include occipital headache, neck stiffness, low-back pain, sciatica, ankle pain, and difficult labor patterns.
Secondary: Secondary uses include dizziness, nosebleed, and heel pain.
How to read this reference
AcuAtlas separates anatomical location, traditional classification, recorded actions, indications, insertion-depth references, and moxibustion notes because these fields answer different study questions. The location statement is the orientation anchor. The classification and actions describe traditional reference categories, while indications summarize how checked educational sources associate the point with established teaching material. They are not a recommendation to select or stimulate the point.
Depth and moxibustion entries are reproduced as bounded reference notes rather than procedural instructions. Individual anatomy, technique, angle, clinical setting, and local professional standards can change what is appropriate. Review the cited documents and supervised training material before using any technical field. The normalized map coordinate is included only to place the point on the matching AcuAtlas body plate; it is not a substitute for palpation or anatomical assessment.
Sources
References displayed on this page were recorded with the point dataset.
- WHO Standard Acupuncture Point Locations in the Western Pacific Region (2008) BL60, p. 129
- Acupuncture.com Point Locator - Urinary Bladder 60 English name, classification, indications, functions and needling
- TARA Acupuncture Knowledge Base BL 60: special-point role, indications, method, moxibustion, innervation and vasculature
- WHO Guidelines on Basic Training and Safety in Acupuncture Section II, 2.1 and 5.1, pregnancy and direct moxa near a tendon
- The Safety of Obstetric Acupuncture: Forbidden Points Revisited Identifying sources of concern and relevant outcomes; BL60
Frequently asked questions
Where is BL-60 located?
At the posterolateral ankle, in the hollow between the lateral malleolus and the calcaneal tendon.
What reference actions and indications are recorded for BL-60?
Traditionally clears excess from the channel, relaxes the sinews, and relieves pain along the head, back, and leg. The dataset lists these primary indications: Reference uses include occipital headache, neck stiffness, low-back pain, sciatica, ankle pain, and difficult labor patterns. Secondary indications are recorded as: Secondary uses include dizziness, nosebleed, and heel pain.
Is BL-60 safe during pregnancy?
Pregnancy caution: BL-60 is commonly listed among traditionally avoided points. Clinical evidence has not shown objective obstetric harm from needling, but pregnancy use should follow individualized assessment by an obstetric-acupuncture clinician.