The Stomach Storehouse on the back. Weicang (BL-50) is a quiet but focused point on the outer Bladder line that reaches directly into the Stomach — easing pain and fullness in the upper belly, moving stuck food and stagnant Qi, and helping when digestion has become heavy, blocked or painful.
Name & story
The name 胃仓 Weicang means "Stomach Storehouse" or "Granary of the Stomach". Picture an old granary — a place where grain is held and, if not managed well, can pile up, ferment and cause problems. When the Stomach's storehouse becomes too full, too stuck or too stagnant, food accumulates and pain and bloating follow. Weicang speaks directly to this image: it is the outer point on the back that corresponds to the Stomach, helping the storehouse release what is pent up and move what has stopped.
Point family & character
Weicang (BL-50) belongs to the Bladder Meridian (BL), running on the outer line of the back — 3 Cun from the midline. It sits at the same spinal level as Weishu (BL-21), the inner back-Shu point of the Stomach, and shares much of its territory and influence over the Stomach organ. According to the classical text cited in Deadman, the five outer Bladder points at the level of the five zang back-Shu points also share the action of draining Heat from the five zang.
Five-element dynamics
The Stomach belongs to the Earth element — the body's great "kitchen" and storehouse, responsible for receiving food and beginning its transformation. When the Earth element is overwhelmed — too much food, too much Cold, too much Dampness, or simply Qi Stagnation — the storehouse backs up. Weicang, as the outer Bladder point at the Stomach's level, helps unblock that storehouse: it moves stagnant food, disperses fullness and eases pain, encouraging the Earth element to flow freely again.
Location
On the back, 3 Cun lateral to the lower edge of the spinous process of the 12th thoracic vertebra (T12) — directly lateral to Weishu (BL-21), the Stomach's back-Shu point.
Anatomy & fascia
The point lies in the region of the erector spinae (sacrospinalis) muscle group, in the outer line of the back musculature.
Needling
Oblique insertion, directed slightly inward toward the spine.
Safe depth
0.5–1 Cun.
Moxa, cupping & Tui Na
Moxa can be applied here, particularly when there is Cold in the Stomach causing pain and stagnation. Gentle Tui Na massage along the outer Bladder line, including this point, is also commonly used to ease back tension and support digestive function.
Functions
Harmonises the Stomach and moves food stagnation; Disperses fullness and relieves epigastric pain; Regulates Qi in the Middle Burner; Drains Heat from the Stomach.
Indications
Epigastric pain and fullness; abdominal distension and bloating; poor appetite and food stagnation; difficult bowel movements; pain and stiffness of the back at the level of T12.
Mind & spirit (Shen)
When the Stomach storehouse is blocked and full, the whole body grows heavy — and so does the mood. In Chinese medicine, a congested Middle Burner leaves little room for ease or lightness of spirit. By helping the Stomach release its burden and move freely again, Weicang clears not only the physical heaviness of a painful, bloated belly, but something of the dullness and discomfort that comes when the body simply cannot process what it has taken in.
Point combinations
With Weishu (BL-21) — its inner neighbour at the same spinal level — to strongly harmonise the Stomach, ease epigastric pain and move food stagnation. With Pishu (BL-20) — for digestive weakness with bloating and poor appetite, addressing both Spleen and Stomach on the back. With local points along the outer Bladder line for back stiffness and pain in the mid-to-lower thoracic region.
Clinical spotlight
Weicang is one of the "outer" Bladder channel points that mirrors and extends the action of its inner partner — in this case Weishu (BL-21), the back-Shu of the Stomach. Its name, "Stomach Storehouse", neatly captures its clinical character: it is most useful when the Stomach is overfull, blocked or in pain — food stagnation, distension, and epigastric heaviness are its home territory. Classically, the outer Bladder line points at the level of the five zang back-Shu points were understood to share the capacity to drain Heat from the corresponding organ, giving Weicang an additional role when Stomach Heat is part of the picture.
The golden tip
If you notice heaviness, pain or bloating after meals, gentle massage or pressure along the outer edge of the back muscles — roughly at waist level, about three finger-widths out from the spine on each side — can help ease the discomfort. Warmth (a warm pack) over this area is soothing when the belly feels cold and tight. As always, a qualified practitioner can needle the point precisely for stronger effect.
For education only — not medical advice. Consult a qualified practitioner.