Acupoints of the Du Meridian
督脉及其主要穴位
I. General distribution of Du Meridian
l Both Du and Ren Meridians originate from the inside of lower abdomen.
l Goes along the midline on the back of the trunk and the head.
l Connects with the spinal cord and brain.
l Meets the Ren Meridian at both the perineum and lower jaw. All Yang meridians of both hand and foot meet Du Meridian at DU14-Dazhui.
II. Main indications
l Pain along the course of the meridian, such as headache, stiff neck, acute lumbar sprain and cervical spondylopathy.
l Mental disorders, including epilepsy, manic or depressive mental problems, loss of consciousness and infantile convulsion.
l Excessive heat conditions, including high fever, febrile diseases, furuncle and carbuncle.
l Deficient type of cold conditions, including yang desertion, impotence, enuresis, retention of urine and infertility.
III. Main acupoints of Du Meridian
DU1 Chángqiáng 长强 (Long Strong)
Location: Below the tip of the coccyx, at the midpoint between the tip of the coccyx and the anus.
Classification: Luo-Connecting point of the Du Vessel
Crossing point of the Du Vessel and the Kidney and Spleen Meridians
Crossing point of the Du Vessel and the Kidney and Spleen Meridians
Indications:
1. Diarrhea, blood in the stools, constipation, hemorrhoids, prolapse of the rectum
2. Manic psychosis, epilepsy
Functions:Regulates the Du and Ren Vessels, treats hemorrhoids, activates the meridian, benefits the coccyx, alleviates pain.
Notes: Luo-Connecting points of one meridian can communicate with two meridians. They treat diseases of the collaterals and can be used to treat chronic diseases, especially chronic diseases of the Zang-Fu organs. Clinically, Luo-Connecting points are often combined with Yuan-Source points in the treatment of diseases.
DU3 Yāoyángguān 腰阳关 (Lumbar Yang Gate)
Location: On the lumbar region, on the posterior median line, in the depression below the spinous process of the 4th lumbar vertebra.
Indications:
1. Irregular menstruation, spermatorrhea, impotence
2. Lumbosacral pain
3. Pain, numbness and weakness of the lower extremities
Functions:Strengthens the lumbar region, dispels Wind-Dampness, tonifies Yang.
Needling:Oblique insertion upward 0.5 - 1.0 cun.
DU4 Mìngmén 命门 (Gate of Life)
Location: On the lumbar region, on the posterior median line, in the depression below the spinous process of the 2nd lumbar vertebra.
Indications:
- Spermatorrhea, impotence
- Irregular menstruation, leukorrhea
- Chronic diarrhea
- Stiffness and pain of the lumbar
- Cold extremities, lower tolerance to cold
Functions:Tonifies Kidney Qi and Yang, tonifies Original Qi, nourishes Essence, clears Heat, strengthens the lumbar region and knees.
Notes: DU 4 is one of the most effective points to tonify Yang and strengthen the constitution. It is especially efficacious if moxa is also used on the point.
DU8 Jīnsūo 筋缩 (Sinew Contraction)
Location: On the back, on the posterior median line, in the depression below the spinous process of the 9th thoracic vertebra.
Indications:
1. Epilepsy
2. Stiffness of the back
3. Gastric pain, facial spasm
Functions:Benefits the sinews, relieves spasms, dispels interior Wind, calms the Liver.
Needling:Oblique insertion upward 0.5 - 1.0 cun.
DU9 Zhìyáng 至阳 (Reaching Yang)
Location: On the back, on the posterior median line, in the depression below the spinous process of the 7th thoracic vertebra.
Indications:
1. Acute gastric pain, epigastric distension, hiccups
2. Jaundice
3. Distention and pain in the chest and hypochondrium, cough, back pain
Functions:Regulates the Middle Jiao and Spleen, treats jaundice, resolves Damp-Heat, opens the chest.
Needling:Oblique insertion upward 0.5 - 1.0 cun.
DU10 Língtái 灵台 (Spirit Tower)
Location: On the back, on the posterior median line, in the depression below the spinous process of the 6th thoracic vertebra.
Indications:
1. Acute gastric pain
2. Furuncles (aka boil - an infection of a hair follicle)
3. Cough, asthma, stiffness and pain of the back
Functions:Opens the chest, relieves coughing and wheezing, clears Heat-Toxins.
Needling:Oblique insertion upward 0.5 - 1.0 cun.
DU11 Shéndào 神道 (Spirit Path)
Location: On the back, on the posterior median line, in the depression below the spinous process of the 5th thoracic vertebra.
Indications:
1. Palpitations, cardiac pain, insomnia, poor memory
2. Coughing, choking
3. Stiffness and pain of the back
Functions:Regulates the Heart, calms the Shen, clears Heat.
Needling:Oblique insertion upward 0.5 - 1.0 cun.
DU12 Shēnzhè 身柱 (Body Pillar)
Location: On the back, on the posterior median line, in the depression below the spinous process of the 3rd thoracic vertebra.
Indications:
1. Cough, asthma
2. Malaria
3. Back stiffness and pain
Functions:Clears Lung-Heat, tonifies Lung Qi, strengthens the body, dispels interior Wind.
Needling:Oblique insertion upward 0.5 - 1.0 cun.
DU13 Táodào 陶道 (Kiln Path)
Location: On the back, on the posterior median line, in the depression below the spinous process of the 1st thoracic vertebra.
Classification: Crossing point of the Du Vessel and the Urinary Bladder Meridian
Indications:
1. Febrile disease, malaria
2. Headache, stiffness of the back
Functions:Clears Heat, releases the Exterior, treats malaria.
Notes: DU 13 is an important point in treating malaria.
Needling:Oblique insertion upward 0.5 - 1.0 cun.
DU14 Dàzhuī 大椎 (Great Vertebra)
Location: On the posterior median line, in the depression below the spinous process of the 7th cervical vertebra.
Classification: Crossing point of the Three Yang Meridians of the Hand and the Three Yang Meridians of the Foot.
Indications:
1. Febrile disease, malaria, hectic fever, and night sweats
2. Low tolerance to cold, common cold, redness, swelling and pain of the eye, neck rigidity and pain
3. Epilepsy
4. Cough
Functions:Clears Heat, releases the Exterior, dispels Wind, regulates Wei and Ying Qi, treats malaria.
Notes: DU 14 is one of the most important points to release the Exterior and treat Wind-Heat (cold/flu). It's also a main point in treating Summer Heat.
Needling:Oblique insertion upward 0.5 - 1.0 cun. Blood-letting and cupping is applicable.
DU15 Yămén 哑门 (Mute's Gate)
Location: On the back of the neck, 0.5 cun directly above the midpoint of the posterior hairline, below the spinous process of the 1st cervical vertebra.
Classification: Crossing point of the Du and Yang Wei Vessels
Indications:
Indications:
1. Lack of vitality caused by emotional disturbance
2. Deafness and mute
3. Apoplexy, stiffness of the tongue and aphasia, sudden hoarseness of voice
4. Occipital headache, neck rigidity
Functions:Dispels Wind, treats loss of voice, benefits the tongue, neck and head.
Needling:Perpendicular or oblique insertion downward 0.5 - 1.0 cun, do not puncture obliquely upward or deep. Deeper is the medulla oblongata; strict attention must be paid to the needle angle and depth.
DU16 Fēngfǔ 风府 (Wind Mansion)
Location: On the back of the neck, 1.0 cun directly above the midpoint of the posterior hairline, directly below the external occipital protuberance, in the depression between m. trapezius of both sides.
Classification: Crossing point of the Du and Yang Wei Vessels
Indications:
Indications:
1. Post-apoplexy aphasia, hemiplegia, manic psychosis
2. Neck pain and rigidity, vertigo, sore throat
Functions:Dispels Wind, calms the Shen, clears the head, benefits the head and neck.
Needling:Perpendicular or oblique insertion downward 0.5 - 1.0 cun, do not puncture deeply. Deeper is the medulla oblongata; strict attention must be paid to the needle angle and depth.
DU20 Băihuì 百会 (Hundred Meetings)
Location: On the head, 5.0 cun directly above the midpoint of the anterior hairline. Or, at the midpoint of the line connecting the apexes of the two auricles.
Classification: Crossing point on the DU Vessel with the six Yang Meridians
Indications:
Indications:
1. Headache, vertigo, dizziness, poor memory
2. Coma, apoplexy, hemiplegia, aphasia
3. Prolapse of rectum, prolapse of uterus
4. Manic psychosis, depression, insomnia
Functions:Raises Yang – treats prolapse, subdues Yang, clears the head, calms the Shen, dispels Interior Wind.
Needling:Subcutaneous insertion 0.5 - 0.8 cun.
DU23 Shàngxīng 上星 (Upper Star)
Location: On the head, 1.0 cun directly above the midpoint of the anterior hairline.
Indications:
1. Rhinorrhea, epistaxis
2. Headache, eye pain
3. Manic psychosis
4. Apoplexy, hemiplegia
Functions:Dispels Wind, opens the nose, benefits the eyes.
Needling:Subcutaneous insertion 0.5 - 1.0 cun.
DU24 Shéntíng 神庭 (Spirit Courtyard)
Location: On the head, 0.5 cun directly above the midpoint of the anterior hairline.
Classification: Crossing point on the DU Vessel with the Urinary Bladder and Stomach Meridians
Indications:
1. Insomnia, palpitations, epilepsy
2. Headache, vertigo
3. Rhinorrhea
Functions:Dispels Wind, opens the nose, calms the Shen.
Needling:Subcutaneous insertion 0.5 - 0.8 cun.
DU25 Sùlíao 素髎 (White Crevice)
Location: On the region of the face, on the tip of the nose.
Indications:
1. Loss of consciousness, coma, asphyxia neonatorum
2. Nasal congestion, epistaxis, rhinorrhea, rosacea
3. Distention and pain in the eye, blurring of vision
4. Heel pain
Functions:Benefits the nose, resuscitates.
Needling:Oblique insertion upwards 0.3 - 0.5 cun.
DU26 Shuĭgōu 水沟 (Water Trough)
Location: On the face, at the junction of the superior 1/3 and middle 1/3 of the philtrum.
Classification: Crossing point on the DU Vessel with the Large Intestine and Stomach Meridians
Indications:
1. Syncope, heatstroke, coma, mental disorders, trismus
2. Manic psychosis, epilepsy
3. Acute lumbar pain
4. Gastric pain, wry mouth, swelling of the face
Functions:Resuscitates, treats acute lumbar sprain, benefits the nose.
Notes: Du 26 is used for emergency treatment.
Needling:Oblique insertion upwards 0.3 - 0.5 cun.
DU28 Yínjīao 龈交 (Gum Intersection)
Location: On the inside of the upper lip, at the junction of the frenulum of the upper lip and the gum.
Indications:
1. Bleeding hemorrhoids, hemorrhoid pain
2. Swelling and pain of the gums
3. Rhinorrhea
4. Manic psychosis
Functions:Clears Heat, benefits the gums and nose.
Needling:Oblique insertion upwards 0.2 - 0.3 cun, or prick to cause bleeding.
