Your lower back does a lot of work.

It supports you while you stand, walk, sit, bend, exercise, and move through everyday life. When tension accumulates around the lower back and pelvis, even ordinary activities can begin to feel less comfortable.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, BL31 Shangliao is one of four pairs of points known collectively as the Eight Liao. These points are situated around the sacrum and have traditionally been used in treatments involving the lower back, pelvic region, and related functional concerns.

For home acupressure, the emphasis should be on gentle stimulation rather than deep pressure.

How to Find BL31 at Home

BL31 is located in the first posterior sacral foramen, approximately level with the second sacral vertebra and lateral to the midline of the sacrum.

Because the anatomy of the sacrum varies between individuals and the point can be difficult to identify accurately without training, finding the exact location yourself can be challenging.

For a general at-home exploration:

• Sit or stand comfortably and relax the muscles around your lower back.
• Locate the bony area of the sacrum at the base of your spine.
• BL31 is found on either side of the sacrum rather than directly on the spinal midline.
• The point lies in the region of the first sacral opening, just lateral to the center line.
• If you cannot confidently identify the location, do not press deeply or attempt to “hunt” for the point.

How to Activate BL31

Because BL31 is located around the sacral foramina, gentle pressure is appropriate for self-acupressure.

Using a fingertip or thumb:

1. Apply light, steady pressure to the general area.
2. Hold for approximately 20–30 seconds.
3. Release slowly.
4. Repeat once or twice if comfortable.
5. Combine the pressure with slow, relaxed breathing.

You can also use gentle circular pressure around the surrounding muscles rather than pressing directly into the sacral opening.

The sensation should remain comfortable. Stop immediately if you experience sharp pain, numbness, tingling, burning, dizziness, or pain traveling into the leg.

Traditional Benefits

Within Traditional Chinese Medicine, BL31 is traditionally used to:

• Support comfort in the lower back and sacral region
• Help regulate Qi and Blood in the lower body
• Address pelvic discomfort
• Support traditional approaches to menstrual and reproductive concerns
• Help with urinary or pelvic symptoms within specific TCM patterns
• Promote relaxation around the lower back and pelvic region

These are traditional TCM applications, not established medical claims. Acupressure should complement, rather than replace, appropriate medical evaluation when symptoms are persistent, severe, or unexplained.

Fun Facts

• “Shang” means upper, while “Liao” refers to the sacral foramina or openings in the sacrum.
• BL31 is part of the Eight Liao, which includes BL31, BL32, BL33, and BL34 on both sides of the sacrum.
• The Liao points are traditionally associated with the lower back, sacrum, pelvis, and lower abdominal region.
• Unlike many commonly taught acupressure points found on the hands or feet, BL31 is located on the back of the pelvis and is therefore more difficult to stimulate accurately without assistance.

Tips

• Keep it gentle. The sacral region contains important nerves and anatomical structures. More pressure does not mean more benefit.
• Don’t press directly on painful areas. If the region is already acutely painful or inflamed, avoid aggressive massage or pressure.
• Use slow breathing. Pairing gentle pressure with relaxed breathing can make the practice feel more calming.
• Consider professional guidance. If you’re interested in using BL31 therapeutically, an appropriately trained acupuncturist can accurately locate and assess the point as part of a personalized treatment.
• Know when to seek medical care. New or severe lower-back pain, weakness or numbness in the legs, loss of bladder or bowel control, unexplained fever, significant trauma, or severe pelvic pain requires appropriate medical evaluation rather than self-acupressure.
• Acupressure is not a diagnostic tool. Persistent symptoms deserve a proper assessment so that underlying causes are not overlooked.