Geshu 膈兪
Upper back, 1.5 cun out from the back midline at the level of T7.
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Vertebra t7 · Descending part of trapezius muscle · Latissimus dorsi muscle · Longissimus thoracis muscle
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On this page
1Where is Geshu?
Upper back, 1.5 cun out from the back midline at the level of T7.
The level is set by the lower edge of the T7 spinous process.
Vertebra t7 · Descending part of trapezius muscle · Latissimus dorsi muscle · Longissimus thoracis muscle
2How do I find it on my body?
- Stand with the arms hanging. A line joining the lower tips (inferior angles) of the shoulder blades crosses the midline at T7.
- Take the height of the lower edge of that spinous process.
- Press 1.5 cun out from the midline, over the erector spinae muscle. With the arms hanging, the midline-to-shoulder-blade distance (to its inner border) is 3 cun, or 6 cun between the two; this is half of it.
A cun is a body-scaled unit of length. The precise way is to divide a bone length into equal parts (proportional bone cun); finger widths are a quick estimate.
- descending part of trapezius
- The upper part of trapezius. It starts at the back of the skull and neck and runs down to the outer collarbone, and it shrugs the shoulder up.
- longissimus thoracis
- The back part of the middle column of erector spinae (longissimus). As its name says it is long, and it straightens the lower and middle back.
- erector spinae
- The group of long muscles up both sides of the spine that straighten the back and hold the body upright. Lie face down and lift your back a little, and they bulge as thick cords on each side.
- spinous process
- The bony spike sticking backward from the middle of each spine bone. The row of bumps you feel down the middle of the back is these, and they serve as the counting marks for back points.
- latissimus dorsi
- The broad muscle covering the lower back and sides. It runs from the lower back and pelvis, behind the armpit, to the humerus, and pulls the arm down and back, as in a pull-up.
3Before you press
- Do not bear down hard on the spine or ribs with an elbow or a tool.
- Avoid broken or swollen skin and press only to a comfortable level.
- Acupressure is not a substitute for medical care.
4How has it been used traditionally?
- The Nanjing (ch. 45) names it the meeting point of the blood; the Lingshu (ch. 51) lists it as the diaphragm's back-shu point — historical classifications, not claims of effect.
- WHO notes the lower tip of the shoulder blade is level with T7, which makes this point easy to find.
From traditional texts — not a claim of effect.
?FAQ
Where exactly is Geshu?
Upper back, 1.5 cun out from the back midline at the level of T7. The level is set by the lower edge of the T7 spinous process.
How do I find Geshu?
Stand with the arms hanging. A line joining the lower tips (inferior angles) of the shoulder blades crosses the midline at T7. Take the height of the lower edge of that spinous process. Press 1.5 cun out from the midline, over the erector spinae muscle. With the arms hanging, the midline-to-shoulder-blade distance (to its inner border) is 3 cun, or 6 cun between the two; this is half of it. it is level with Geguan (BL46) and, on the midline, with Zhiyang (GV9).
What should I watch out for?
Do not bear down hard on the spine or ribs with an elbow or a tool. Avoid broken or swollen skin and press only to a comfortable level. Acupressure is not a substitute for medical care.
Sources
- Location: WHO Standard Acupuncture Point Locations in the Western Pacific Region (2008), p. 108
- Standard comparison: Chinese national standard GB/T 12346-2021 (Nomenclature and location of meridian points), p. 17 — same location
- Korean anatomical terms: KMLE medical dictionary
- Traditional-use cross-check: AcuAtlas dataset (CC BY 4.0)
- Classification source: Nanjing ch. 45 (meeting point of the blood); Lingshu ch. 51; Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing vol. 3, sec. 8
- 3D: computed on Z-Anatomy (CC BY-SA 4.0) · BodyParts3D © DBCLS
Positions computed from the WHO standard locations (2008) on Z-Anatomy (CC BY-SA 4.0) · BodyParts3D © DBCLS. For reference only — not a substitute for diagnosis or treatment. See a clinician if you are unwell.