Bladder 36 (BL 36) Cheng Fu — Support

This point, at the gluteal fold, activates the channel and relieves pain of the buttock, hip and back of the thigh; useful for sciatica.

Bladder 36 (BL 36) Cheng Fu 承扶 — Support

Location

On the back of the thigh, in the middle of the transverse gluteal fold.

Anatomy

Between the hamstrings, below the gluteus maximus; the artery to the sciatic nerve; the posterior femoral cutaneous nerve and, deep, the sciatic nerve.

Actions & Functions

  • Activates the channel and relieves pain
  • Benefits the lumbosacral region, buttock and thigh

Indications

Pain of the buttock, sacrum and back of the thigh, sciatica, and haemorrhoids.

Needling

1.0-2.0 cun, perpendicular insertion.

Moxibustion Suitability

Suitable for moxibustion.

Point Combinations

With BL-40 and BL-37 for sciatica.

Classical Text References

A local point of the Bladder channel on the thigh.

Cautions & Contraindications

Deep needling near the sciatic nerve requires care.

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

Traditional Chinese Medicine Improves Nutritional Status in Maintenance Haemodialysis Patients, Meta-Analysis Finds

Research summary (Traditional Chinese Medicine): Efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine in improving nutritional status among Chinese maintenance hemodialysis patients: a meta-analysis of - Frontiers in nutrition, 2026.