Kunlun Mountains

About BL-60 Kunlun Mountains

BL-60 Kunlun is named after the Kunlun Mountains of Central Asia, the mythological axis of the world in Chinese cosmology. The lateral malleolus that this point adjoins rises like a mountain peak from the ankle, and the point's therapeutic influence extends upward along the entire spine just as the Kunlun range stretches across the continent. This is one of the most important distal points for treating pain and stiffness along the entire posterior body.

As the jing-river point of the Bladder meridian, Kunlun is where qi flows with increasing force through the channel, like a river narrowing and accelerating. This dynamic quality makes it particularly effective for acute, intense pain conditions. Practitioners often reach for BL-60 when back pain is severe and sudden, when the neck seizes, or when an occipital headache grips with vise-like intensity. The point breaks through stagnation in the taiyang channel with remarkable force.

Kunlun also serves as a major local point for ankle and heel pathology. Its position between the lateral malleolus and the Achilles tendon gives it direct access to the structures most commonly involved in ankle sprains, Achilles tendinitis, and plantar heel pain. It is frequently paired with KI-3 Taixi on the medial ankle, the two points framing the ankle like pillars and together addressing both the yin and yang aspects of ankle dysfunction.

How to Find This Point

Find the bony prominence on the outer side of the ankle. The point is in the soft depression directly behind it, between the ankle bone and the Achilles tendon. It is easy to locate by running the finger along the groove.

Benefits

Relaxes the sinews, activates the Bladder channel, clears heat, strengthens the lower back, benefits the ankle and heel, promotes labor

Indications

Lower back pain, sciatica, stiff neck, headache (occipital), ankle pain, heel pain, Achilles tendon issues, difficult labor, retained placenta

TCM Actions

Relaxes the sinews, removes obstructions from the channel, clears heat, strengthens the back, promotes labor, jing-river point of the Bladder meridian, Aspirin point

Self-Care Use

Press firmly behind the outer ankle bone for lower back pain, sciatica, stiff neck, and occipital headache. This point has broad pain-relieving properties along the entire Bladder channel (which runs from head to toe along the back of the body). Also excellent for ankle pain and heel problems. Press firmly for 1-2 minutes per side. DO NOT USE DURING PREGNANCY.

Related Points

BL-40 (Weizhong) for back pain; KI-3 (Taixi) located directly opposite on the medial side; BL-62 (Shenmai) for ankle and Yang Qiao Mai; SI-3 (Houxi) for spine and Du Mai