UB 23

Acupuncture Point Theory

UB 23 Acupuncture Point Applications and Theory

The acupuncture point "UB 23" , 腎俞, is represented by "Shen Shu" in pinyin and "Kidney Shu" in english and may be found:

1.5 cun lateral to GV 4, level with L2.


Of many possible clinical applications, it may be considered to influence the following issues/symptoms:

  • For all Kidney system related issues from a Chinese Medicine perspective which effect the brain, bone, hair, teeth a/or hearing.
  • Male deficiency related sexual problems: impotence, premature ejaculation, spermatorrhea, sterility, exhaustion following ejaculation.
  • Female sexual and reproductive disorders: irregular cycles, dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, cold uterus, frigidity, infertility, leukorrhea.
  • Tonification point in deficiency conditions: exhaustion, weakness, chronic fatique, good point for the elderly as Kidney Jing is naturally depleted.
  • Main point for acute or chronic low back pain, sprains a/or strains.
  • Useful for KD related ear issues: tinnitus, deafness, chronic ear infections.
  • Useful for dampness issues and water metabolism issues - edema, fluid retentions in the lower abdomen.
  • As the kidney system provides the root of the bodies energy many psychological conditions will respond well to tonification of this point as well - depression, anxiety disorders.


Ub 23 has the following theoretical associations which serve as important guideposts in designing an effective treatment protocol:

Explore ub 23 functional grouping theory - MuShu, or read all point categories and related theory.

A single acupuncture point is not commonly thought of as an empirical way to influence a TCM diagnostic pattern. UB23, however, is a strong candidate to be incorporated into an acupuncture protocol for patients who exhibit: Kidney Jing Deficiency, Kidney Qi Deficiency, Kidney Yang Deficiency and/or Kidney Yin Deficiency

UB 23 may potentially be used, in coordination with a well designed acupuncture treatment protocol, to influence the following conditions: Amenorrhea (Absence of Menstruation), Asthma, Dysmenorrhea (Menstrual Pain - Cramps), Edema, Fibromyalgia (CFS), Infertility, Irregular Menstruation, Leukorrhea, Seminal Emission and/or Spermatorrhea

While not necessarily valid clinically, EX Huatuojiaji at L2 (L2 innervates and influences the kidneys and kidn…), GV 4 ( Clears heat from the whole body, for heat dis…) and UB 52 ( Reinforce the KD Back Shu (UB 23) for fertili…) are nearby.

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