This section provides a list of Du Mai channel points that are commonly used in clinical practice. Details on how to locate and needle each point can be found by clicking on the blue heading of each acupoint.
- In traditional acupuncture we use the proportional cun measurement to locate acupoints.
Du 3 Yaoyangguan (Lumbar Yang Gate)
The main actions of DU 3 are:
- To expel Cold in cases of Cold-Bi.
- To expel Damp in cases of Damp-Bi.
- To strengthen the lower back and legs in cases of persistent and chronic backache.
Du 4 Mingmen (Gate of Life)
The main TCM actions of DU 4 are:
- It tonifies Kidney Yang in cases of Kidney Yang deficiency that have led to feeling cold and fatigued.
- It nourishes Yuan Qi in cases of overall fatigue or chronic illness.
- In combination with tonifying Kidney Yang, it also benefits Kidney Jing in cases of male and female infertility, impotence or sexual dysfunction.
- It expels Cold from the Bladder, Uterus and Large Intestine in cases of a Cold External Pathogenic Factor invading these organs.
- It strengthens the lower back in cases of chronic lower backache.
Du 14 Dazhi (Great Vertebra)
The main TCM actions of DU 14 are:
- It clears Full-Heat and Empty-Heat in all excess and deficiency Heat patterns and also in cases of Hot Bi.
- It Releases the Exterior to allow a pathogenic factor to escape, in this case usually Wind-Heat.
- It calms the Shen.
- As a local point to move the channel in cases of spinal or neck stiffness.
Du 16 Fengfu (Palace of Wind)
The main TCM actions of DU 16 are:
- To clear Internal Wind or External Wind that is causing neck pain, neck stiffness and headaches.
- As a local point to move the channel in cases of neck pain and neck stiffness.
Du 20 Baihui (Hundred Meetings)
The main TCM actions of DU 20 are:
- To subdue Excess Yang in cases of migraines, anxiety or restlessness.
- To subdue Excess Yang, DU 20 is needled in a backward direction.
- To raise Yang in deficiency conditions in cases of fatigue or lack of concentration.
- To raise Yang, DU 20 is needled in a forward manner.
Du 26 Renzhong (Man’s Middle)
- The main TCM action of DU 26 is to restore consciousness in cases of fainting.