What is bladder meridian?

The Bladder Meridian is one of the 12 main meridians, with 67 acupuncture points extending from head to toe, like a river of yin energy protecting the body from pathogens. Its journey begins at the corner of the eye, rises to the eyebrow, flows over the top of the head, then follows the spine, penetrates the sacrum, connects with the groin, and finally reaches the little toe.

The Bladder Meridian has one main meridian and three secondary branches, forming a complex network:

• Main Meridian: Originating from the Qingming acupoint at the inner corner of the eye, it ascends the forehead, passes the crown of the head, descends the nape of the neck, runs along both sides of the spine, through the lumbar region, buttocks, down the back of the thigh, into the popliteal fossa, down the lower leg, through the outer ankle, runs along the outer edge of the foot, and ends at the Zhiyin acupoint at the outer corner of the little toenail.
• Branch 1: From the crown of the head, a branch separates and runs horizontally to the auricle. This branch is closely related to diseases of the ear, eye, head, and face.
• Branch 2: From the lumbar region, another branch separates, runs along both sides of the spine, crosses the buttocks, down the back of the thigh, and joins the main meridian at the popliteal fossa. This branch plays an important role in treating diseases of the lumbar region, buttocks, and thigh.
• Branch 3: From both sides of the shoulder blades, another secondary branch emerges, passing through the shoulder region, running along both sides of the spine (outside the main meridian), to the greater trochanter, along the outer posterior edge of the thigh, joining the main meridian at the popliteal fossa, then going behind the outer ankle, along the outer edge of the foot to the little toe. This branch is related to pathologies of the shoulder, neck, back, and lower limbs.