Bladder 48 (BL 48) Yang Gang — Yang’s Key Link

This point, level with the Gall Bladder Shu, resolves damp-heat, harmonises the middle burner and benefits the gall bladder.

Bladder 48 (BL 48) Yang Gang 陽綱 — Yang’s Key Link

Location

On the back, 3 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the tenth thoracic vertebra (T10), level with BL-19.

Anatomy

On the latissimus dorsi; the posterior intercostal artery; the dorsal rami of the thoracic nerves.

Actions & Functions

  • Resolves damp-heat and benefits the gall bladder
  • Harmonises the middle burner

Indications

Jaundice, abdominal pain and borborygmus, diarrhoea, and bitter taste in the mouth.

Needling

0.5-0.7 cun, oblique insertion towards the spine.

Moxibustion Suitability

Suitable for moxibustion.

Point Combinations

With BL-19 and GB-34 for gall bladder disorders.

Classical Text References

The outer Back-Shu of the Gall Bladder.

Cautions & Contraindications

Avoid deep insertion towards the kidney/lung; needle obliquely.

Latest Research

Latest peer-reviewed research on this point will be summarised here, with citations linked to PubMed, via our research integration.

About Attilio

Doctor of Chinese medicine, acupuncture expert and author of My Fertility Guide and My Pregnancy Guide.

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PubMed research

Acupuncture Identified as a Key Neuromuscular Intervention for Post-Stroke Swallowing Difficulties

Research summary (Acupuncture): Neuromuscular-related interventions for post-stroke dysphagia: a comprehensive narrative review. - Frontiers in neuroscience, 2026.