Du or Governor Meridian

Jing-Luo System

 Traveling course of the regular meridian

It starts from the inside of the lower abdomen, descends to the genitals, emerges from the perineum, ascends along the interior of the spinal column to DU 16 FengFu  at the nape, where it enters the brain, runs upward to the vertex, follows the midline of the forehead to the bridge of the nose, and ends at the upper lip (frenulum).

The branch from the spinal column at the lumbar region connects with the kidney.

The branch from the inside of the lower abdomen ascends directly across the navel, passes through the heart, runs upward to the throat and chin, encircles the mouth, and goes upward to terminate at the lower region of the eyes.

Traveling course of the collateral

It separates from the regular Du Meridian at DU 1 Changqiang  inferior to the tip of the coccyx, ascends along both sides of the spine to the nape, and spreads over the occipital region. It connects with the Bladder Meridian downward at the scapular region and enters the spine.

Point System

There are 28 points on the Du Meridian, among which the points underlined are commonly used. The range of treatment of the du points includes mental diseases, febrile diseases, and illnesses of the corresponding organs and local disorders of the lumbar–sacral area, back, nape, and head. Examples are mania, coma, impotence, irregular menstruation, abdominal Fullness, jaundice, cough, asthma, lumbago, backache, stiffness of the nape, dizziness, headache, rhinitis.

GV 1 Changqiang （长强）

Name: Long and Strong. The name suggests that the point gives strength to the Du Meridian and spinal column; it is a Luo-Connecting point affecting the entire spinal region up to the head.

 

Special Group: (1) Luo-Connecting Point of the Du Meridian; (2) Crossing Point with the Gall bladder and Kidney Meridians.

Location: On the posterior midline, midway between the tip of the coccyx and the anus or 0.5 cun below the tip of the coccyx, locating the point in the prone position ( The Du or governor Meridian).

Actions: Clears heat, resolves dampness, and regulates the lower Jiao.

Indications: Diarrhea, bloody stools, constipation, hemorrhoids, prolapse of the rectum, pain in the lower back, Dian Kuang or Manic–Depressive Syndrome (bipolar disorder or schizophrenia), epilepsy.

Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.5–1.0 cun along the inner aspect of the coccyx.

GV 2 Yaoshu （腰俞）

Name: Lumbar Shu. The name refers to its function of affecting the lumbar region.

Special Group: None.

Location: On the posterior midline, in the hiatus of the sacrum.

Actions: Benefits the lumbar region and legs, dispels wind-dampness, and unblocks the meridian.

Indications: Abnormal menstruation, pain and stiffness of the lower back, hemorrhoids, muscular atrophy and pain of the lower extremities, epilepsy.

Method: Puncture obliquely upward 0.5–1.0 cun.

GV 3 Yaoyangguan （腰阳关）

Name: Lumbar Yang Pass. The point is located on the joint important for lower back mobility.

Special Group: None.

Location: On the posterior midline, below the spinous process of the fourth lumbar vertebra, level with the crista iliaca ( The Du or governor Meridian).

Actions: Regulates the lower Jiao, benefits the lumbar region and legs, and dispels wind-dampness.

Indications: Abnormal menstruation, nocturnal emissions, impotence, pain in the lumbosacral region, muscular atrophy, motor impairment, numbness and pain of the lower limbs.

Method: Puncture perpendicularly or slightly obliquely upward 0.5–1.0 cun.

GV 4 Mingmen （命门）

Name: Vital Gate. The point functions to tonify Kidney-Qi and essence which are said to be the “vital basis.” Also, the name suggests the location of the point between the two kidney Back-Shu points (BL 23 Shenshu) as an important gate for one’s vital force.

Special Group: None.

Location: On the posterior midline, below the spinous process of the second lumbar vertebra ( The Du or governor Meridian).

Actions: Strengthens Kidney-Yang, reinforces the Vital-Qi, and benefits the lumbar region.

Indications: Impotence, nocturnal emissions, leukorrhea, abnormal menstruation, chronic diarrhea, stiffness and pain in the lumbar region.

Method: Puncture perpendicularly or slightly obliquely upward 0.5–1.0 cun.

GV 5 Xuanshu （悬枢）

Name: Suspended Pivot. The point is level with the Back-Shu point of the San Jiao (BL 22 Sanjiaoshu), which serves as the passway or pivot of Qi activities.

Special Group: None.

Location: On the posterior midline, below the spinous process of the first lumbar vertebra.

Actions: Warms the kidney, reinforces the spleen, and benefits the lumbar region and lower Jiao.

Indications: Stiffness and pain in the lumbar region, diarrhea, abdominal pain.

Method: Puncture perpendicularly or slightly obliquely upward 0.5–1.0 cun.

GV 6 Jizhong （冀中）

Name: Spinal Center. The point is below the 11th thoracic vertebra, which is in the middle of the thoracolumbar vertebral region.

Special Group: None.

Location: On the posterior midline, below the spinous process of the 11th thoracic vertebra.

Actions: Warms the kidney and reinforces the spleen.

Indications: Diarrhea, jaundice, hemorrhoids, epilepsy, infantile indigestion, prolapses of the rectum.

Method: Puncture perpendicularly or slightly obliquely upward 0.5–1.0 cun.

GV 7 Zhongshu （中枢）

Name: Central Pivot. Like GV 6 Jizhong, this point is in the middle of the spine and functions as a pivot for movement of the trunk.

Special Group: None.

Location: On the posterior midline, below the spinous process of the tenth thoracic vertebra.

Actions: Warms the kidney and reinforces the spleen.

Indications: Jaundice, vomiting, abdominal fullness, stiffness and pain in the spine.

Method: Puncture perpendicularly or slightly obliquely upward 0.5–1.0 cun.

GV 8 Jinsuo （筋缩）

Name: Tendon Contraction. The point is located at the level of the Back-Shu point of the liver (BL 18 Ganshu), which controls sinews and tendons and treats their disorders, including spasm and contraction.

Special Group: None.

Location: On the posterior midline, below the spinous process of the ninth thoracic vertebra ( The Du or governor Meridian).

Actions: Soothes the liver, pacifies wind, and relieves pain.

Indications: Epilepsy, stiffness of the spine, gastric pain.

Method: Puncture perpendicularly or slightly obliquely upward 0.5–1.0 cun.

GV 9 Zhiyang （至阳）

Name: Supreme Yang. It is located on the Du Meridian, on the upper back and below the seventh thoracic vertebra, all of which correspond to Yang.

Special Group: None.

Location: On the posterior midline, below the spinous process of the seventh thoracic vertebra, approximately at the level of the inferior angle of the scapula ( The Du or governor Meridian).

Actions: Soothes the chest, tonifies the spleen, and regulates the middle Qi.

Indications: Jaundice, distension and fullness in the hypochondriac region, cough, asthma, stiffness of the spine, back pain.

Method: Puncture perpendicularly or slightly obliquely upward 0.5–1.0 cun.

GV 10 Lingtai （灵台）

Name: Spirit Platform. It is located near the heart, which dominates the spirit.

Special Group: None.

Location: On the posterior midline, below the spinous process of the sixth thoracic vertebra.

Actions: Clears heat, removes masses, and unblocks the meridian and collaterals.

Indications: Cough, asthma, furuncles (clove sores), back pain, stiffness and pain in the spine and back.

Method: Puncture perpendicularly or slightly obliquely upward 0.5–1.0 cun.

GV 11 Shendao （神道）

Name: Spirit Path. Level with the Back-Shu point of the heart (BL 15 Xinshu) and BL 44 Spirit Hall, the point calms the spirit, as do the other two.

Special Group: None.

Location: On the posterior midline, below the spinous process of the fifth thoracic vertebra.

Actions: Calms the spirit, clears heat, dispels wind, and regulates Heart-Qi.

Indications: Palpitations, poor memory, cough, anxiety, pain and stiffness of the back, cardiac pain.

Method: Puncture perpendicularly or slightly obliquely upward 0.5–1.0 cun.

GV 12 Shenzhu （身柱）

Name: Body Pillar. It is located on the upper back, which Functions to hold up the neck and head like a pillar.

Special Group: None.

Location: On the posterior midline, below the spinous process of the third thoracic vertebra.

Actions: Disperses Lung-Qi, calms the spirit, dispels wind, and frees the meridian and collaterals.

Indications: Cough, asthma, epilepsy, pain and stiffness of the spine, Furuncles.

Method: Puncture perpendicularly or slightly obliquely upward 0.5–1.0 cun.

GV 13 Taodao （陶道）

Name: Kiln Path. The point serves as a pathway for heat and Yang Qi like a kiln.

Special Group: Crossing Point with the Bladder Meridian.

Location: On the posterior midline, below the spinous process of the first thoracic vertebra.

Actions: Resolves exterior syndrome and clears heat.

Indications: Headache, malaria, febrile diseases, stiffness of the spine.

Method: Puncture perpendicularly or slightly obliquely upward 0.5–1.0 cun.

GV 14 Dazhui （大椎）

Name: Big Vertebra. The name refers to the seventh cervical vertebra.

Special Group: Crossing Point with all six Yang meridians.

Location: On the posterior midline, below the spinous process of the seventh cervical vertebra ( The Du or governor Meridian).

Actions: Resolves exterior syndrome, clears heat, dispels wind, calms the spirit, and regulates the Yang Qi of the whole body.

Indications: Febrile diseases, malaria, cough, asthma, night sweats with a bone-steaming sensation, epilepsy, pain and stiffness of the head and neck, urticaria.

Method: Puncture obliquely upward 0.5–1.0 cun.

GV 15 Yamen （哑门）

Name: Mute’s Gate. The point treats muteness and deafness.

Special Group: None.

Location: On the posterior midline of the nape, 0.5 cun directly above the midpoint of the posterior hairline, in the depression below the spinous process of the first cervical vertebra ( The Du or governor Meridian).

Actions: Opens orifices, calms the spirit, dispels wind, and unblocks the meridian.

Indications: Sudden hoarseness of voice, stiffness of the tongue with difficult speech, Dian Kuang or Manic–Depressive Syndrome (bipolar disorder or schizophrenia), epilepsy, deafness and muteness, occipital headache, neck rigidity.

Method: Puncture perpendicularly or obliquely downward 0.5–0.8 cun. No deep and upward insertion is allowed, as the point overlays the medullary bulb of the brain.

GV 16 Fengfu （风府）

Name: Wind Palace. The point is located in the region where external pathogenic wind tends to invade the body, and Functions to dispel it.

Special Group: Crossing Point with the Yang Wei Meridian.

Location: On the posterior midline of the nape, 1 cun directly above the midpoint of the posterior hairline, below the external occipital protuberance, in the depression between the trapezius muscles ( The Du or governor Meridian).

Actions: Dispels wind, clears heat, benefits the neck, calms the spirit, and opens the orifices.

Indications: Headache, neck rigidity, dizziness and vertigo, sore throat, difficult speech after stroke, wind stroke, Dian Kuang or Manic–Depressive Syndrome (bipolar disorder or schizophrenia).

Method: Puncture perpendicularly or obliquely downward 0.5–0.8 cun. No deep and upward insertion is allowed, as the point overlays the medullary bulb of the brain.

GV 17 Naohu （脑户）

Name: Brain’s Door. It is in the occipital region near the foramen occipitale magnum of the skull.

Special Group: Crossing Point with the Bladder Meridian.

Location: On the occipital midline of the head, 1.5 cun directly above GV 16 Fengfu, superior to the external occipital protuberance.

Actions: Clears the head, opens the orifices, and calms the spirit.

Indications: Dizziness and vertigo, neck rigidity, loss of voice, epilepsy.

Method: Puncture subcutaneously 0.3–0.5 cun.

GV 18 Qiangjian （强间）

Name: Stiff Space. It functions to treat headaches and stiff neck.

Special Group: None.

Location: On the midline of the head, 1.5 cun directly above GV 17 Naohu.

Actions: Clears the head, benefits the neck, and calms the spirit.

Indications: Headache, dizziness, neck rigidity, Dian Kuang or Manic–Depressive Syndrome (bipolar disorder or schizophrenia).

Method: Puncture subcutaneously 0.3–0.5 cun.

GV 19 Houding （后定）

Name: Behind the Vertex. The name refers to its location.

Special Group: None.

Location: On the midline of the head, 1.5 cun directly above GV 18 Qiangjian.

Actions: Clears the head and calms the spirit.

Indications: Headache, dizziness and vertigo, Dian Kuang or Manic–Depressive Syndrome (bipolar disorder or schizophrenia), epilepsy.

Method: Puncture subcutaneously 0.3–0.5 cun.

GV 20 Baihui （百会）

Name: Hundred Convergences. “Hundred” means “many” here. The point is located at the vertex, the highest spot on the body and the place where all of one’s Yang meets. The point functions to regulate the Yang Qi of the whole body.

Special Group: Crossing Point with the Bladder Meridian.

Location: On the midline of the head, 7 cun directly above the posterior hairline, approximately at the midpoint of the line connecting the apexes of the two auricles ( The Du or governor Meridian).

Actions: Dispels wind, clears heat, resuscitates, opens the orifices, calms the spirit, and regulates the Yang Qi of the entire body.

Indications: Headache, dizziness and vertigo, difficult speech after stroke, Dian Kuang or Manic–Depressive Syndrome (bipolar disorder or schizophrenia), prolapse of the rectum and uterus, insomnia.

Method: Puncture subcutaneously 0.3–0.5 cun.

GV 21 Qianding （前项）

Name: Before the Vertex. The name refers to its location.

Special Group: None.

Location: On the midline of the head, 1.5 cun anterior to GV 20 Baihui.

Actions: Clears the head and dispels wind.

Indications: Headache, dizziness and vertigo, rhinorrhea, epilepsy.

Method: Puncture subcutaneously 0.3–0.5 cun.

GV 22 Xinhui （囟会）

Name: Fontanel Meeting. The point is located in the fontanel area.

Special Group: None.

Location: Two cun posterior to the midpoint of the anterior hairline, 3 cun anterior to GV 20 Baihui.

Actions: Clears the head and dispels wind.

Indications: Headache, dizziness and vertigo, rhinorrhea, epilepsy.

Method: Puncture subcutaneously 0.3–0.5 cun. Acupuncture is not allowed at this point for infants with metopism.

GV 23 Shangxing （上星）

Name: Upper Star. It is located at the front top of the head like a star in the sky.

Special Group: One of the 13 Ghost Points.

Location: On the anterior midline of the head, 1 cun within the anterior hairline ( The Du or governor Meridian).

Actions: Clears heat, dispels wind, opens the orifices, and brightens the eyes.

Indications: Headache, eye pain, rhinorrhea, nasal obstruction, epistaxis, Dian Kuang or Manic–Depressive Syndrome (bipolar disorder or schizophrenia), malaria, febrile diseases.

Method: Puncture subcutaneously 0.3–0.5 cun or prick to cause bleeding. Acupuncture is not allowed at this point for infants with metopism.

GV 24 Shenting （神庭）

Name: Spirit Court. The name refers to the point’s Function of influencing the head and spirit.

Special Group: Crossing Point with the Bladder and Stomach Meridians.

Location: On the anterior midline of the head, 0.5 cun within the anterior hairline.

Actions: Clears heat, dispels wind, opens the orifices, and calms the spirit.

Indications: Headache, dizziness and vertigo, insomnia, eye pain, rhinorrhea, nasal obstruction, epilepsy.

Method: Puncture subcutaneously 0.3–0.5 cun or prick to cause bleeding.

GV 25 Suliao（素髎）

Name: White Bone-hole. It refers to the point’s location on the nose, which is the opening of the lungs, and the correspondence of the lungs to the color white in the Five Elements Theory.

Special Group: None.

Location: On the tip of the nose ( The Du or governor Meridian).

Actions: Resuscitates, opens the nose, and clears heat.

Indications: Rhinorrhea, epistaxis, asthma, coma, rosacea.

Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.2–0.3 cun.

GV 26 Shuigou （水沟） or Renzhong （人中）

Name: Water Ditch or Human Center. The first name suggests the ditch-like shape of the philtrum; the second one is a Chinese term for “philtrum”.

Special Group: Crossing Point with the Stomach and Large Intestine Meridians; one of the 13 Ghost Points.

Location: On the anterior midline of the face, at the junction of the upper and the middle third of the philtrum, near the nostrils ( The Du or governor Meridian).

Actions: Resuscitates, restores collapsing Yang, opens the orifices, and clears heat.

Indications: Dian Kuang or Manic–Depressive Syndrome (bipolar disorder or schizophrenia), epilepsy, child’s Fright Wind Syndrome, coma, deviation of the mouth and eye, stiffness and pain of the lumbar region.

Method: Puncture obliquely upward 0.3–0.5 cun.

GV 27 Duiduan （兑端）

Name: Extremity of the Mouth. The point is located on the margin of the upper lip, and thus at the extremity of the mouth.

Special Group: None.

Location: On the anterior midline, on the edge of the upper lip, at the junction of the philtrum and the upper lip.

Actions: Clears heat, relieves pain, and calms the spirit.

Indications: Dian Kuang or Manic–Depressive Syndrome (bipolar disorder or schizophrenia), swelling and pain of the gums, deviation of the mouth, lip twitching, rhinorrhea, epistaxis.

Method: Puncture obliquely upward 0.2–0.3 cun. Moxibustion is not allowed.

GV 28 Yinjiao （龈交）

Name: Gum Intersection. The name describes the location.

Special Group: Crossing Point with the Ren and Stomach Meridians.

Location: At the junction of the gums and the frenulum of the upper lip.

Actions: Clears heat, unblocks the meridians and collaterals, and calms the spirit.

Indications: Dian Kuang or Manic–Depressive Syndrome (bipolar disorder or schizophrenia), pain and swelling of the gums, rhinorrhea.

Method: Puncture obliquely upward 0.1–0.2 cun, or prick to induce bleeding.