Bladder Point 67 Zhiyin: Utmost Yin – ‘Spinning Babies’

2. Bladder and Kidney Qi symptoms

Bladder Point 67 lies on the Bladder channel and is the Exit point of the meridian, its Jing-Well point and its tonification point. So it can help many problems associated with the meridian itself and the areas it passes over. The Kidney meridian lies next in line after it in the movement of Qi through the 24 hour clock.  So this point takes Qi from the yang Bladder channel to the yin Kidney channel. 

For example, it helps many problems associated with Kidney qi: hearing and deafness, tinnitus and ear problems; back and lumbar pain (though one might expect it to be more effective in upper back pain than lower back pain); urinary problems such as difficulty urinating, or pain when urinating, seminal emissions and problems such as cystitis. All these conditions are often indications of Bladder or Kidney zangfu syndromes, and if so, they can usually be helped with Chinese medicine and acupuncture.

Here the point is acting both to tonify the meridian (‘tonify’ is probably not quite the right way of explaining its action: what it does is help to move qi along the channel) and regulate symptoms lying along its path. However, in practice, it must be said, this is not the first point I would think of when treating acute dysuria (pain peeing).

3. The Kidney meridian and Bladder point 67

Because this Zhiyin point is the Exit point on the Bladder channel, from where Qi transfers to the first point or Entry point on the Kidney channel, you could say this is the first point on the Kidney channel. 

The Kidney channel covers many other problems including yin deficiency heat and sweating, pain or heat in the soles of the foot, cramps and spasms, knee problems, and Kidney yang problems such as over-cooling in malaria with lack of sweating.

Here its action seems to be regulating Kidney Qi and some tonifying. In relation to this, the point is sometimes used to correct endocrine gland imbalances.

4. Chest area

The Kidney channel (of which this point may, along with Kidney point 1, be said to be the beginning) ends in the chest, and this point helps pain in the chest and sides of the chest, and turbulence, agitation and anxiety of the Heart.

Bladder Point 67 is also a special point for breast problems, along with other points mainly on the Spleen and Gallbladder meridians.

Here it is acting so as to descend excess.

5. Mal-position of the foetus: the ‘Spinning Babies point’!

Now think of its name – zhiyin –  ‘ Extremity of Yin’ or ‘Reaching Yin‘. (Lots of ways of translating it.)

From a mother’s point of view, as the foetus in her womb grows, it becomes an increasing impediment to movement, energy and comfort.

In other words it is a large lump of Yin, growing steadily over nine months. The mother’s body, particularly her Kidney Qi, Jing-essence and Blood go to form the baby. In health, of course, the baby eventually presents head down facing the right way and proceeds through the birth canal at the appropriate time.

However, all that Yin takes Yang to make – the mother’s Yang; so not surprisingly she gets tired – she’s at the limit of her endurance: she’s completely fed up with it all! (Mums! For a little inspiration about what you and your body are doing as  you create something from almost nothing, read our page on Qi Deficiency.)

And eventually, the Yin lump has to start moving itself, first in positioning itself and then moving – in other words the Yin lump becomes more Yang. (After birth of course, all being well, the lump is very definitely Yang, not least in exercising its lungs and demanding attention.)

But if that lump of Yin fails to develop Yang qualities, this point’s name shows its purpose. Under the rules of yin and yang, when yin reaches its maximum it becomes yang, and vice versa. Treating this point with Yang energy, moxa, stimulates the ‘lump’ to get a move on: to turn, to push.

So …

From 34 weeks if there is malposition … moxibustion Bladder 67 breech treatment

What then, for breech presentation of the foetus as birth-time approaches?

From about 34 weeks, if there is mal-position – such as breech presentation –  of the foetus, start using moxa over this point (ie moxibustion breech treatment) – the mother or her partner can do this when shown how, until the baby has turned. (Then stop, otherwise, it may continue spinning like a top and end up where it started!)

Shown how?  Get an acupuncturist to show you, and read up our page on moxibustion before starting. Take care! It’s all too easy for hot ashes to burn or set clothing alight.

Then perhaps, from a distance of 2 cms, wave the end of a burning moxa stick over Bladder 67 for ten seconds on one foot, then ten seconds on the other foot, and back and forth. Do it for less time if mum-to-be complains of heat earlier. Keep this up for no more than a minute altogether (3×10 seconds each side.) Repeat twice a day until you are sure the baby is moving. Then, as I said, STOP!

Err on the side of caution, meaning do it for less than 10 seconds each side, at least to start with!

How Fast does Bladder 67 turn the baby?

‘Sspinning babies point’ suggests that baby turns in the blink of an eye. This is an exaggeration!

But … you may be surprised how fast moxa on Bladder 67 can start the turning process. Lots of mums say it happens within a few hours, often minutes.

Equally, too much moxa for a mother whose Spleen Yang energy is very weak just might promote labour too early. So take care and take advice!

In general it’s regarded as being very safe but in a mother who is disturbed, very anxious or exhausted, it is perhaps better if done by someone else or, much better, her acupuncturist. Not least this is so her acupuncturist can do other things to calm the mum’s mind and help her energy at the same time as using Bladder 67.

Pressure points for Labor Pain?

Zhiyin could be used for this, but there are other points I’d use first, such as Large Intestine 4 hegu and Spleen 6 sanyinjiao. Both also ‘descend’ energy so should not usually be used during pregnancy.

6. Inducing Labour using Bladder point 67

Along with other points, Bladder point 67 is renowned for being able to induce labour. Usually for this purpose both acupuncture and moxa may be used, depending on how warm the mother feels.

When used for inducing labour, Bladder Point 67 stimulates the uterus and its contents. Used with other energy points, such as Stomach 36 (Zusanli), Spleen 6 (Sanyinjiao) and Large Intestine 4 (Hegu), it can help birth proceed.

How much moxa to use for this? Moxa stick for at least five minutes every hour (but be careful not to burn the skin) and acupuncture that stimulates the point. However, as with all acupuncture, it is sensible to adjust treatments according to the overall symptom picture of the mother, including her pulses and tongue.

Also, there are other, more powerful points, mostly less sore, for inducing labour which I’d use first. 

However, do bear in mind that if the pregnancy has gone well, the baby seems OK in the womb and the Mum isn’t too uncomfortable, what’s the hurry?! Just because doctors think the pregnancy is longer than average so should be terminated for that reason, it doesn’t mean Mum has to agree!

Also, although Mum wants the pleasure of having the baby, actually feeding, cleaning bottoms and clothing her baby is a lot of work and involves quite a lot of insomnia, hence exhaustion.

While in the womb, it’s all taken care of!

Then, normally, when Mum’s body and the baby agree, you get a normal birth and a healthy baby.

Whereas terminating the pregnancy earlier than when all is ready can be a bit of a shock for both of them.

Just saying!

7. Undischarged placenta and this zhiyin point

Used as for labour when the placenta fails to appear: moxa and acupuncture. Other points will probably be needed.

Other pages you may like:

• Kidney syndromes describe what drains the life out of you!
• FAQs