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Huangdi asked Qibo, saying: "I wish to hear about the back-shu points of the five zang organs and how they emerge from the back."

Qibo replied: "The major shu points in the back are located at the ends of the spinous processes. The Feishu (BL13) is between the third thoracic vertebra; the Xinshu (BL15) is between the fifth thoracic vertebra; the Geshushu (BL17) is between the seventh thoracic vertebra; the Ganshu (BL18) is between the ninth thoracic vertebra; the Pishu (BL20) is between the eleventh thoracic vertebra; and the Shenshu (BL23) is between the fourteenth thoracic vertebra. All these points flank the spine, spaced approximately three cun apart. To verify them, press on the spot; if tenderness is felt in the center and subsides upon pressure, that is the correct shu point. Moxibustion is permissible, but needling is not. If qi is excess, apply draining method; if deficient, apply tonifying method. For tonification with fire, do not blow out the flame; let it extinguish naturally. For draining with fire, quickly blow up the flame, apply the moxa cone closely, and let it extinguish."

Ni Chongzhi stated: "The back-shu points of the five zang and six fu organs are all located on the back. The Emperor only asked about the shu points of the five zang organs because zang and fu organs pair as yin and yang, discussing the Five Elements of the Earth. 'Jiao' refers to the vertebral joints, and 'zhui' also refers to the vertebrae. They are located at the junctions of the spinal segments, which is the pathway of the Du Mai (Governing Vessel). Dazhushu (BL11) is on both sides of the first thoracic vertebra; Feishu (BL13) is between the third thoracic vertebra; Xinshu (BL15) is between the fifth thoracic vertebra; Geshushu (BL17) is between the seventh thoracic vertebra; Ganshu (BL18) is between the ninth thoracic vertebra; Pishu (BL20) is between the eleventh thoracic vertebra; and Shenshu (BL23) is between the fourteenth thoracic vertebra. All flank the spine, with one and a half cun between the left/right sides and the midline. Pressing the shu points results in pain relief in the center because the Taiyang Bladder Meridian communicates with the Du Mai. Therefore, when asking about the five zang shu points, Dazhushu is mentioned first, as it is the end of the large bone at the nape, where the Du Mai runs along the first thoracic vertebra. When asking about the five zang organs, the Geshushu (BL17) at the seventh thoracic vertebra is mentioned because the qi of the five zang organs emerges from the inner diaphragm. Thus it is said, 'Beside the seven segments, there is the Small Heart.' Injury to the diaphragm is called 'injury to the middle'; even if the disease heals, death will occur within a year. The shu points of the five zang organs are all attached to the Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian. The Bladder is the residence of water, and the Five Elements of the Earth originate from the Water of Tian Yi (One Heaven). Palpating the Taiyang meridian corresponds to the Du Mai because the Cold-Water Qi of Taiyang intersects with the Yang Qi of the whole body governed by the Du Mai, representing the intersection of Yin-Yang and Water-Fire. Moxibustion is permissible because it can initiate the Yin Qi of the zang organs. Needling is not permissible because piercing the Heart leads to death around the circumference; piercing the Spleen leads to death in five days; piercing the Kidney leads to death in seven days; piercing the Lung leads to death in five days. This is because reverse needling of the qi of the five zang organs causes injury to the central essence, not merely injuring the physical form of the organs. Tonifying with fire means using fire to assist water (Kidney). Draining with fire uses Moxa (Ai Ye), also known as Bingtai, which can extract fire from water and inspire the qi of the yin zang organs. Therefore, one must quickly blow up the flame and immediately apply the moxa to guide the pathogenic factors outward.

Zhu stated: "Above the Foot-Taiyang, Cold-Water governs. Thus, its mark is Yang while its root is Cold, possessing the Qi of Water-Fire and Yin-Yang. The Du Mai (Governing Vessel) surrounds the front and back of the body. The branch ascending from Yin follows the Yin Qi, bypasses the buttocks, ascends along the posterior medial aspect of the thigh, penetrates the spine, and connects to the Kidneys. The branch descending from Yang starts with the Taiyang at the inner canthus, crosses the vertex, enters the network of the brain, emerges again, descends separately to the nape, flanks the spine, reaches the waist, descends along the muscles, and connects to the Kidneys. Thus, the Du Mai surrounds the front, back, upper, and lower aspects and connects to both Kidneys. One Heaven generates Water, Two Earth generates Fire; this is the Yin-Yang initially divided from the Supreme Ultimate. Humans inherit the primordial Water and Fire, transforming into the Five Elements to form this body. Therefore, the shu points of the five zang organs all originate from the Taiyang and correspond to the Du Mai."