FIVE DRAGONS

ACUPUNCTURE COLLEGE
CORRESPONDENCE COURSE

LESSON 2 2

OF

3 1 LESSONS
 The Five Dragons Acupuncture College
accepts the Fair Use Doctrine of the Copyright L a w s
and here-by grants permission to m a k e one copy of this
A c u p u n c t u r e Correspondence Course in 31 Lessons
For Educational and Teaching Purposes.

R e c o m m e n d e d books to simplify your research are as follows

Essentials of Chinese Acupuncture

Gray's Anatomy
The Merck Manual
Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary

The people of the entire English-speaking world owe a debt of gratitude

to the acupuncturists and medical researchers
w h o have m a d e possible this correspondence course. Thanks go to:

Dr. N g u y e n Van Nghi,

Charles H. McWilliams,
Dale E. Brown,
Gregory Delaney

Full acknowledgements are found in Lesson 31

Distributed as shareware by
B a m b o o Delight Company
P.O. B o x 2792,
Saratoga, CA 95070

http://www.bamboo-delight.com
LESSON 22 THE GOVERNOR VESSEL I'AGE J

T h i s L e s s o n o n THE GOVERNOR VESSEL c o n s i s t s o f t h e i n f o r m a t i o n

given in t h i s s e c t i o n of the Study Guide, a l l m a t e r i a l covered by here-
w i t h s p e c i f i e d page r e f e r e n c e s t o t h e t e x t b o o k a s s u p p l i e d , and t h e en-
closed O.I.C.S. I n d i c a t i o n Sheets for t h i s meridian ( v e s s e l ) .

(1) Study S e c t i o n a, on page 56 of t h e t e x t b o o k and t h e d i a g r a m on un-

numbered page 57 of the textbook (Fig. 20). The t e x t b o o k r e f e r s t o t h e
G o v e r n o r V e s s e l a s t h e "Du M a i " o r t h e " B a c k M i d l i n e C h a n n e l " , a n d a b -
b r e v i a t e s i t a s "Du" t h r o u g h o u t t h e r e s t o f t h e book. Other authors
r e f e r to t h i s back m i d l i n e v e s s e l as t h e 'Tu Mo'. N o t e from p a g e 5 6
t h a t t h e D u Mai o r G o v e r n o r V e s s e l i s o n e o f e i g h t " e x t r a " m e r i d i a n s
o r c h a n n e l s , a s i s t h e C o n c e p t i o n V e s s e l (Ren M a i ) . As for the other
s i x such " e x t r a " channels or m e r i d i a n s mentioned in the t e x t b o o k , we
w i l l be c o v e r i n g them in d e t a i l in a l a t e r s e p a r a t e l e s s o n .
Note from F i g . 2 0 , t h a t t h e e n e r g y i n t h i s c h a n n e l i s b a s i c a l l y
a s c e n d i n g , g o i n g from b o t t o m t o t o p ( h e a d ) , and o f c o u r s e t h e n d e s c e n d -
ing s l i g h t l y to the mouth. Underscore the following words in s e c t i o n
a. on page 56 of the textbook: "to communicate with the kidney in the
lumbar r e g i o n " and " t o t h e b r a i n " . Note the c o n n e c t i o n to Ren-1 (Co-1)
r e p r e s e n t e d by the t r i a n g l e in the lower r i g h t hand diagram of Fig. 20,
and a l s o n o t e t h a t t h e Governor v e s s e l c o n n e c t s t o the Bladder merid-
i a n ( a t B l - 1 2 , n o t shown") a s r e p r e s e n t e d b y t h e b i l a t e r a l t r i a n g l e s b e -
tween Go-12 and Go-13 n e a r t h e top of t h e s h o u l d e r b l a d e s in F i g . 20.
These c o n n e c t i o n s a r e n o t u s u a l l y shown o n a c u p u n c t u r e c h a r t s .

The t e x t b o o k c a l l s t h i s c h a n n e l t h e " c o n f l u e n c e o f t h e Yang Chan-

n e l s " , and o t h e r s r e f e r t o t h i s a s p e c t o f t h a t m e r i d i a n a s " t h e Sea o f
a l l Yang". A l l Yang m e r i d i a n s m e e t o r l i n k u p w i t h t h e G o v e r n o r v e s -
s e l i n a n e n e r g e t i c a l s e n s e , and i n t h i s L e s s o n you w i l l f i n d o u t a t
what point!! t h i s h a p p e n s , and hence i t s d e s i g n a t i o n a s t h e c o n f l u e n c e
or sea of the Yang. T o g e t h e r , t h e s e s e v e n c h a n n e l s ( s i x Yang m e r i d i -
a n s p l u s t h e G o v e r n o r V e s s e l ) c r e a t e t h e s i n g l e , h a r m o n i o u s Yang a s p e c t
of the body. You s h o u l d b e a w a r e b y now t h a t a l l Y a n g m e r i d i a n s ( i n -
cluding the Bladder meridian) have a connection to the fourteenth
point of the Governor Vessel.

(2) Study the l o c a t i o n of a l l t w e n t y - e i g h t p o i n t s of t h i s meridian as

g i v e n i n t e x t and d i a g r a m s from p a g e 191 t o t h e b o t t o m o f p a g e 197 o f
the textbook. L o c a t e each of t h e s e p o i n t s s e v e r a l times on someone
e l s e , e x a c t l y as you have done for p r e v i o u s l e s s o n s of the p r o g r a m . . . .
t h i s t i m e you can n o t e a s i l y l o c a t e them a l l o n y o u r s e l f . . . . i n con-
j u n c t i o n w i t h t h e h i n t s , s u g g e s t i o n s and f u r t h e r i n f o r m a t i o n g i v e n f o r
most of t h e s e p o i n t s in t h i s Study Guide s e c t i o n . Four p o i n t s on t h i s
c h a n n e l a r e o f m a j o r t h e r a p e u t i c i m p o r t a n c e , namely # 4 , 14, 2 0 and 26,
for which information given on O . I . C . S . Indication Sheets should be
MEMORIZED. W e s u g g e s t you n o t a t e t h e s e f o u r m a j o r p o i n t s i n some man-
n e r b e s i d e t h e a p p r o p r i a t e l o c a t i o n i n f o r m a t i o n o n p a g e s 193 t o 197 o f
your textbook. A s w e l l you s h o u l d d e l e t e any ' I n d i c a t i o n s ' and ' P u n c -
t u r e ' i n f o r m a t i o n g i v e n f o r t h o s e f o u r p o i n t s i n t h e t e x t b o o k , a s that,
information is covered in the Indication Sheets or within this section
of the Study Guide. Seven o t h e r p o i n t s , namely # 1 , 2, 3, 12, 1 3 , 15
and 23 a r e of s e c o n d a r y t h e r a p e u t i c i m p o r t a n c e , and a l t h o u g h informa-
t i o n given for them on t h e O . I . C . S . I n d i c a t i o n Sheets does not have to
LESSON 22 THE GOVERNOR VESSEL PAGE 2

be memorized, t h e i r l o c a t i o n s must be s t u d i e d and known. Again you

s h o u l d d e l e t e any ' I n d i c a t i o n s ' and ' P u n c t u r e ' information given for
those points in the textbook, as that information is covered in the
I n d i c a t i o n Sheets or w i t h i n t h i s s e c t i o n of the Study Guide. In re-
gard to points forbidden to needles or moxibustion, these are mention-
e d i n t h i s S t u d y G u i d e s e c t i o n , and m u s t b e known f o r f i n a l e x a m i n a -
tion purposes. Now, l e t ' s h a v e a l o o k a t t h i s m e r i d i a n ( v e s s e l o r
channel)

Du 1 (Go-1): J u s t below the t i p of the coccyx ( t a i l b o n e ) in a d e p r e s -

sion above the anus, in a prone (lying face downwards, on the stomach)
or a squatting (with chest touching the knees) p o s i t i o n . This point is
u s u a l l y u s e d w i t h Go-2 f o r p r o l a p s e o f rectum and w i t h B l - 3 5 f o r s t i m -
ulation of the sexual area. This point is a special point for the
t r e a t m e n t of h e m o r r h o i d s , e s p e c i a l l y c h r o n i c h e m o r r h o i d s , and for t h i s
moxibustion is p r e f e r r e d here along with Bl-57 the r e s u l t s are usu-
ally excellent. Other than for hemorrhoids, needles generally are
more e f f e c t i v e t h a n m o x i b u s t i o n , and i f t h e n e e d l e i s 'twirled', that
s h o u l d b e s t o p p e d when i t becomes t o o p a i n f u l f o r t h e p a t i e n t . After
n e e d l i n g o r moxa t h e p a t i e n t m u s t n o t e a t o r h a v e s e x u a l r e l a t i o n s f o r
a few h o u r s , a n d b e c a u t i o n e d a g a i n s t c a t c h i n g a c o l d f o r a few d a y s
thereafter.

Du 2 (Go-2): Right above the coccyx, on both s i d e s of the m i d l i n e at

t h e i n f e r i o r p a r t o f t h e sacrum a r e two p r o j e c t i n g bony h o r n s (called
t h e s a c r a l c o r n u a ) t h a t can b e f e l t and d e f i n e d . This point is loca-
ted in a s m a l l c o n c a v i t y ( c a l l e d t h e s a c r a l h i a t u s ) , j u s t below and
between t h o s e two bony h o r n s , and t h u s at t h e j u n c t i o n of t h e sacrum
and t h e c o c c y x [ n o t e t h e r e a r e a l s o two s m a l l e r h o r n s p r o j e c t i n g upward
from t h e u p p e r p a r t o f t h e c o c c y x ] . It is best to have p a t i e n t in a
p r o n e p o s i t i o n , and i f p a t i e n t i s r e l a x e d and h i s body s u p p l e enough,
p r e f e r a b l y head h e l d u p b y h i s two h a n d s w h i l e l e a n i n g o n t h e e l b o w s .
A f t e r n e e d l i n g o r moxa t h e p a t i e n t m u s t a v o i d f a t i g u e a n d s e x u a l r e l a -
tions. This is a main p o i n t for the lower p o r t i o n of the T r i p l e Burn-
e r ( i n C h i n e s e t h o u g h t i t " m o i s t e n s and warms" t h e Lower B u r n e r ) .

Du 3 (Go-3): Can a l s o b e n e e d l e d w i t h p a t i e n t s e a t e d , b a c k b e n t f o r -
wards. This p o i n t o f t e n becomes t e n d e r t o p r e s s u r e i n c a s e s o f lum-
bago, s c i a t i c a and p a i n f u l g y n e c o l o g i c a l c o n d i t i o n s . Note t h i s p o i n t
i s s o m e t i m e s c o n f u s e d w i t h GB-33 o f t h e same n a m e , a l t h o u g h m o s t good
a c u p u n c t u r e c h a r t s and t e x t s q u a l i f y one o r b o t h o f t h e s e p o i n t s i n
some m a n n e r . Some a u t h o r i t i e s c o n s i d e r t h i s p o i n t f o r b i d d e n t o moxa
however we can find no c l a s s i c a l or c l i n i c a l c o n f i r m a t i o n for such a
contra-indication.
Du 4 (Go-4): U s u a l l y on t h e same h o r i z o n t a l l e v e l as t h e u m b i l i c u s
[ s e e F i g . 106, page 193 o f t e x t b o o k ] . Can b e p u n c t u r e d w i t h p a t i e n t
s e a t e d , back bent forward, but the prone p o s i t i o n is recommended. This
is probably the most important p o i n t in a c u p u n c t u r e for i n c r e a s i n g or
decreasing sexual function. ;If u t i l i z i n g t h i s p o i n t f o r s o m e t h i n g l i k e
lumbago, you s h o u l d a l w a y s make t h e p a t i e n t a w a r e . o f t h e p o s s i b i l i t y
of r e s u l t i n g changes ( i n e i t h e r way) i n h i s / h e r s e x u a l f u n c t i o n i n g . .
For s p e r m a t o r r h e a t h i s p o i n t i s u s u a l l y used a l o n g w i t h S p - 6 . Tradi-
t i o n a l l y a c u p u n c t u r i s t s a r e c a u t i o n e d a g a i n s t d o i n g t o o much m o x i b u s -
t i o n on t h i s p o i n t on p a t i e n t s beyond the age of twenty, for t h e r e is
a r i s k of causing s t e r i l i t y .
LESSON 22 THE GOVERNOR VESSEL PAGE 3

Du 5 (Go-5): S u b s t i t u t e e i t h e r " p o u c e " or " c u n " f o r t h e word " i n c h "

in 'Puncture' i n f o r m a t i o n f o r t h i s p o i n t o n p a g e 194 o f t e x t b o o k . For
this particular meridian ( v e s s e l ) you can s a f e l y s u b s t i t u t e t h e words
"pouce" or "cun" wherever the words " i n c h " or " i n c h e s " a r e given in the
textbook's 'Puncture' i n f o r m a t i o n , on those p o i n t s for which such in-
f o r m a t i o n i s NOT g i v e n i n t h e I n d i c a t i o n S h e e t s o r s p e c i f i c a l l y r e f e r -
red to in t h i s s e c t i o n of the Study Guide i t s e l f .
Du 6 (Go-6): Add t h e f o l l o w i n g t o ' I n d i c a t i o n s ' g i v e n i n t e x t b o o k :
"Diarrhea; rectal prolapse; appetite loss". P o i n t s G o - S , Go-6 a n d
their b i l a t e r a l neighbor Bl-21, are to be perceived as related physi-
o l o g i c a l l y , with t h e i r main c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s b e i n g g a s t r o - i n t e s t i n a 1
d i s o r d e r s of a chronic nature in a s s o c i a t i o n with rheumatism. This
p o i n t i s ABSOLUTELY FORBIDDEN T O M O X I B U S T I O N , f o r c l a s s i c a l l y i t c a n
cause curvature of the spine or vertebral misalignment.
Du 7 ( G o - 7 ) : [Some a u t h o r s r e f e r t o t h i s p o i n t a s G0-6A.] This is a
e
Y L£ i m p o r t a n t " r a l l y i n g - p o i n t " f o r G o v e r n i n g V e s s e l e n e r g y , and t h e
aclvice of t h e Yellow E m p e r o r ' s C l a s s i c (Nei Ching) a c c o r d i n g l y is t h a t
i t i s f o r b i d d e n t o p u n c t u r e o r m o x a tfh i s p o i n t . In modern t i m e s t h i s
s o r t of e m p i r i c a l l y d e v e l o p e d a d v i c e l a r g e l y seems to have f a l l e n by
t h e w a y s i d e and a number of a u t h o r i t i e s g i v e i n d i c a t i o n s f o r it and do
not c o n t r a - i n d i c a t e i t i n any way. S u f f i c e it to say t h a t numerous
a c u p u n c t u r e c h a r t s and t e x t s d o n o t m e n t i o n t h i s p o i n t o r s k i p i t en-
t i r e l y , a n d t h a t many m a s t e r a c u p u n c t u r i s t s ( t o whom m o s t " f o r b i d d e n "
p o i n t s a r e a l l o w e d ) n e v e r t h e l e s s f o r b i d i t t o b o t h n e e d l e s and moxa.
T h e r e i s some e v i d e n c e t h a t i t s u s e g r e a t l y r e d u c e s t h e amount o f en-
e r g y f l o w i n g u p w a r d s from t h a t p o i n t on in t h e G o v e r n o r V e s s e l , f o r a
considerable period of time. C e r t a i n l y , n o t e n o u g h i s known a b o u t t h e
energetics involved at that point, so we strongly suggest (rather than
f o r b i d ) our s t u d e n t s n o t u t i l i z e i t i n any manner w h a t s o e v e r . Please
d e l e t e t e x t b o o k ' I n d i c a t i o n s * and 'Puncture' information for t h i s p o i n t .

NOTE: S i n c e some t e x t s and c h a r t s o n l y g i v e t w e n t y - s e v e n p o i n t s o n

the Governor Vessel (as a r e s u l t of s k i p p i n g the seventh p o i n t mention-
e d a b o v e ) , a l l t h e f o l l o w i n g p o i n t s b e a r a t l e a s t two d i f f e r e n t numbers
i n t h e 1i te r a t u r e one b a s e d on t h e r e beTng a t o t a l o T ~ t w e n t y - s e v e n
p o i n t s on t h i s m e r i d i a n , as well as one based on t h e r e b e i n g a t o t a l of
twenty-eight ( t h e one we, and most r e c e n t n o m e n c l a t u r e s y s t e m s u s e ) .
S t u d e n t s and p r a c t i t i o n e r s must remember t h i s when u s i n g any f o r m u l a s
from o t h e r s o u r c e s i n v o l v i n g Go-7 and n u m e r i c a l l y g r e a t e r p o i n t s . Be-
c a u s e o f t h e g r e a t amount o f d u a l numbered p o i n t s t h u s i n v o l v e d , and
due t o c a r e l e s s i n c o r p o r a t i o n o f t h e s e p o i n t numbers i n t o t h e l i t e r a -
ture ( i n t u r n a p p r o p r i a t e d from a u t h o r t o a u t h o r w i t h o u t f u r t h e r c h e c k -
i n g or c o n c e r n f o r w h e t h e r it was b a s e d on a 27 or 28 p o i n t m e r i d i a n ) ,
t h i s i n h e r e n t problem with the Governor Vessel causes the most e r r o r s
in modern formulas and p o i n t c o m b i n a t i o n s of a l l the m e r i d i a n s and
t h i s a p p l i e s e s p e c i a l l y to English language works, but not e x c l u s i v e l y .
A g a i n , t h e i m p o r t a n c e o f t h e C h i n e s e t r a n s l i t e r a t e d names i s empha-
s i z e d a s t h a t i s t h e o n l y r e a l way o f k n o w i n g e x a c t l y w h i c h p o i n t i s
meant, for even if the a u t h o r diagrams the m e r i d i a n r o u t e w i t h i n h i s
b o o k o r g i v e s p o i n t l o c a t i o n s , u n - c h e c k e d o u t s i d e m a t e r i a l may h a v e
been i n c l u d e d i n t h e t h e r a p e u t i c a l p o i n t f o r m u l a s and c o m b i n a t i o n s g i v -
en within that book. Caveat!
 LESSON 22 THE GOVERNOR VESSEL PAGE 4

Du 8 (Go-8): [ N o t e some a u t h o r i t i e s c a l l t h i s G o - 7 . ] Add t h e f o l l o w -

ing to the l i s t of ' I n d i c a t i o n s ' given in textbook for t h i s p o i n t :
"Lumbago; a c t i o n on the long m u s c u l a t u r e of the back; s t i f f n e s s of the
vertebral column".
Du 9 (Go-9): [ N o t e some a u t h o r i t i e s call this Go-8.] Best to have
patient in prone postion.
Du 10 (Go-10): [ N o t e some a u t h o r i t i e s c a l l t h i s G o - 9 . ] Locate this
point with the patient in prone position. This is a s p e c i a l point for
its action on the e n t i r e chest cavity; dyspnea that disturbs sleep or
a b i l i t y t o l i e down; and f o r c h r o n i c c o u g h . This point is c l a s s i -
c a l l y FORBIDDEN T O N E E D L E S . According to a n c i e n t a u t h o r i t i e s moxibus-
t i o n is most e f f e c t i v e f o r t h e symptoms m e n t i o n e d above ( t o do moxi-
b u s t i o n you can simply p l a c e the p a t i e n t in a forward bent p o s i t i o n ) .
This is a p o i n t of p o p u l a r renown c i t e d by t h e Yellow Emperor's C l a s s i c
(Su W e n ) , b u t i s n o t m e n t i o n e d o r shown o n t h e B r o n z e S t a t u e w o r k s .
1
Delete '"Puncture information given in textbook for t h i s point. Moxi-
b u s t i o n time is u s u a l l y 3 to 10 m i n u t e s .
Du 11 (Go-11): [ N o t e some a u t h o r i t i e s c a l l t h i s G o - 1 0 . ] Add t h e f o l -
lowing to l i s t of ' I n d i c a t i o n s ' given in textbook: "Neurasthenia;
intercostal neuralgia; heart problems; infantile convulsions". This
p o i n t i s c l a s s i c a l l y FORBIDDEN T O N E E D L E S , d e l e t e ' P u n c t u r e ' i n f o r m a -
t i o n given in textbook for t h i s p o i n t . Moxa t i m e i s u s u a l l y 3 t o 7
minutes. A f a m o u s F r e n c h a c u p u n c t u r i s t (De L a F u y e ) s t a t e s t h i s p o i n t
has an a c t i o n on t h e a d r e n a l gland w i t h a u g m e n t a t i o n of g e n e r a l body
tonicity.
Du 12 (Go-12): [ N o t e some a u t h o r i t i e s c a l l t h i s G o - 1 1 . ] One o f t h e
main p o i n t s for a l l m e n t a l i l l n e s s e s , i n s a n i t y , confused s t a t e s , e t c .
Can a l s o b e u t i l i z e d w i t h p a t i e n t s i t t i n g u p r i g h t , h e a d b e n t f o r w a r d .
Du 13 (Go-13): [ N o t e some a u t h o r i t i e s c a l l t h i s G o - 1 2 . ] Can b e n e e -
d l e d w i t h p a t i e n t s e a t e d u p r i g h t and head b e n t f o r w a r d . Deep i n s e r t i o n
is f o r b i d d e n , s u g g e s t depth not exceed one pouce ( c u n ) . From t h i s
point the Governor Vessel sends a branch to the Bladder meridian
(point Bl-12, b i l a t e r a l l y ) .
Du 14 (Go-14): [ N o t e some a u t h o r i t i e s c a l l t h i s G o - 1 3 . ] This is one
of the 'Great Points' of acupuncture! It is an important reunion point
f o r t h e m e r i d i a n s o f t h e t h r e e Yang E n e r g e t i c a l L a y e r s , a s t h i s p o i n t
r e c e i v e s t h e e n e r g y o f a l l t h e s e c o n d a r y b r a n c h e s coming from a l l s i x
Yang m e r i d i a n s . Consequently this is an important point for disper-
s i n g t h e Yang e n e r g y when t h e r e i s a c o n f l i c t b e t w e e n t h e Yin and t h e
Yang. C l i n i c a l l y t h e n G o - 1 4 i n f l u e n c e s a l l o f t h e Yang m e r i d i a n s b y
b e i n g a p o i n t o f Yang e n e r g y d i s p e r s a l .
C l a s s i c a l l y t h i s p o i n t i s i n d i c a t e d for head p a i n s / a c h e s , s t i f f -
ness of the v e r t e b r a l column, m a l a r i a , ' c o l d and h o t ' ( c h i l l s and fev-
e r ) , as well as various types of tuberculosis. These symptoms a r e a l -
ways accompanied by a s t h e n i a • ( w e a k n e s s , d e b i l i t y ) , by d e f i c i e n c y of
e n e r g y , and sometimes w i t h v o m i t i n g and a s e n s a t i o n as if t h e e n e r g y
is r i s i n g to the upper p a r t of the body. '
A c c o r d i n g t o t h e Y e l l o w E m p e r o r ' s C l a s s i c (Su W e n ) , when the pa-
tient a f t e r having caught c o l d , has the m e r i d i a n s of Tai Yang and Shao
 LESSON 22 THE GOVERNOR V E S S E L PAGE 5

Yang a t t a c k e d a t t h e same t i m e , t h i s p r e s e n t s s t i f f n e s s o f t h e n e c k ,
syncopal t e n d e n c i e s , a c c u m u l a t i o n of -energy at the c h e s t , and a s e n s a -
t i o n of c o n s t r a i n t below the h e a r t . I n t h i s c a s e one must p u n c t u r e
this point.
For p a i n and c o n t r a c t u r e of t h e neck and t h e nape of t h e n e c k ,
this p o i n t i s u s u a l l y coupled with GB-20. To treat tuberculosis it is
used w i t h B l - 4 3 (Kao M a n g ) . T o t r e a t a s t o p p e d - u p n o s e i n t h e common
cold it is used w i t h Go-23 ( S h a n g - H s i n g ) . It a l s o has a p o s s i b l e ac-
tion o n t h e t h y r o i d g l a n d (De L a F u y e , f a m o u s F r e n c h a c u p u n c t u r i s t ) .
P a t i e n t should be seated u p r i g h t , head bent forward. When n e e -
d l e d , s e n s a t i o n s of l o c a l s o r e n e s s , t i g h t n e s s or numbness should be
generated. If a s e n s a t i o n l i k e an e l e c t r i c shock is p r o d u c e d , immedi-
a t e l y w i t h d r a w t h e n e e d l e a p p r o x i m a t e l y two f e n . Do not use ' l i f t i n g -
p l a n t i n g ' n e e d l e t e c h n i q u e , and p u n c t u r e any d e e p e r t h a n o n e - a n d - a
half pouce is not advised. See n e e d l e d i r e c t i o n and d e p t h i n ' I n d i c a -
t i o n ' s h e e t s a t t h e end o f t h i s L e s s o n .

Du 15 (Go-15): [ N o t e some a u t h o r i t i e s c a l l t h i s G o - 1 4 . ] Besides the

textbook 'Location' i n f o r m a t i o n t h i s p o i n t i s a p p r o x i m a t e l y t h r e e cun
(pouce) above Go-14, r i g h t on or s l i g h t l y above the n a t u r a l h a i r l i n e
at the midline of the neck. D e l e t e ' I n d i c a t i o n s ' and ' P u n c t u r e ' i n -
f o r m a t i o n in t e x t b o o k and s e e I n d i c a t i o n s h e e t s at t h e end of t h i s Les-
son and s p e c i a l n e e d l e t e c h n i q u e s below. This point is absolutely
FORBIDDEN T O MOXIBUSTION a s c l a s s i c a l l y t h a t c a n r e n d e r t h e p a t i e n t
mute.
NEEDLE TECHNIQUE: N e e d l i n g o f t h i s p o i n t m u s t b e d o n e c o r r e c t l y r e g a r d i n g p a t i e n t ' s
p o s t u r e , e x a c t p o i n t l o c a l i z a t i o n , n e e d l e d e p t h and d i r e c t i o n , e t c . Use a v e r y good
q u a l i t y n e e d l e and p r o p e r s t e r i l i z a t i o n procedures. This point should not be needled
o n p a t i e n t s w i t h f e v e r , v e r y o l d o r weak p a t i e n t s , n o r c h i l d r e n who a r e u n a b l e t o c o -
operate fully. The f o l l o w i n g d e e p n e e d l i n g t e c h n i q u e s ( o v e r o n e p o u c e ) a p p l y m a i n l y
f o r t h e t r e a t m e n t o f d e a f n e s s and m u t i s m . For g e n e r a l u s e o t h e r w i s e , t h i s p o i n t does
n o t n e e d t o b e n e e d l e d a s d e e p l y , f o r a d e q u a t e s t i m u l a t i o n c a n b e o b t a i n e d f o r most
o f t h e o t h e r i n d i c a t i o n s w i t h a n i n s e r t i o n d e p t h o f only t h r e e fen t o one p o u c e , p r o -
v i d e d a l l o t h e r a s p e c t s s u c h a s p r o p e r l o c a t i o n , p a t i e n t ' s p o s t u r e , and n e e d l e d i r e c -
tion are followed. B e s u r e t o s e e F i g . 107 b e t w e e n p a g e s 194 and 195 o f t h e t e x t b o o k .

P a t i e n t s h o u l d b e s e a t e d u p r i g h t w i t h head b e n t s l i g h t l y forward (lowered) for

b o t h l o c a l i z a t i o n and i n s e r t i o n . The n e e d l e s h o u l d b e i n s e r t e d c a r e f u l l y , g e n t l y ,
and s l o w l y , p e r p e n d i c u l a r l y , i n t h e d i r e c t i o n o f t h e l o w e r jaw o r t h r o a t . Greatest
c a r e must b e t a k e n r e g a r d i n g t h e a n g l e ( d i r e c t i o n ) o f i n s e r t i o n and u n d e r n o c i r c u m -
s t a n c e s s h o u l d t h e n e e d l e b e i n s e r t e d upwards [medulla o b l o n g a t a ] . The s p e e d o f t h e
i n s e r t i o n s h o u l d s l o w down even more when t h e t i p o f t h e n e e d l e r e a c h e s t h e r e s i s t a n c e
of the harder, e l a s t i c - l i k e flava ligament. T h e r e a f t e r t h e n e e d l e i s advanced s l i g h t -
l y f u r t h e r , and t h e n t h e i n s e r t i o n s t o p s .
The TOTAL n e e d l e d e p t h must n o t e x c e e d two p o u c e [ s p i n a l c o l u m n ] , w i t h t h e
a c t u a l i n s e r t i o n d e p t h d e t e r m i n e d a c c o r d i n g t o t h e p a t i e n t ' s a g e , body s i z e , w e i g h t ,
etc. As a g e n e r a l r u l e it is around o n e - a n d - a - h a l f pouce f o r a normal a d u l t or t h i n
p e r s o n , and f o r a h e a v i e r p a t i e n t u p t o t h e f u l l two p o u c e . Extensive manipulation
of the needle ( i e . l i f t i n g , pushing, t w i r l i n g ) should not be done, e s p e c i a l l y a f t e r
it has reached the d e s i r e d depth, to prevent i n t e r n a l b l e e d i n g at the subarachnoid
space. A s l i g h t ' t u r n i n g ' m o t i o n t o a s s i s t i n s e r t i o n i s a l l o w e d p r o v i d e d i t i s done
s l o w l y , w i t h o u t any s i d e w a y s b e n d i n g and d o e s n o t c a u s e t h e p a t i e n t p a i n .
 LESSON 22 THE GOVERNOR V E S S E L PAGE 6

Du 15 (Go-15) NEEDLE TECHNIQUE CONTINUED:

Successful p e n e t r a t i o n should e l i c i t the sensation of localized swelling or
numbness. After the needle p i e r c e s through the flava ligament (or at anytime during
i n s e r t i o n ) i f t h e p a t i e n t e x p e r i e n c e s a s e n s a t i o n r e s e m b l i n g a n e l e c t r i c shock r a d i -
a t i n g t o t h e l i m b s , t h i s means t h e n e e d l e t i p h a s r e a c h e d t h e d u r a m a t e r o f t h e
s p i n a l c o r d , and t h e n e e d l e s h o u l d b e i m m e d i a t e l y w i t h d r a w n e i t h e r s l i g h t l y o r com-
p l e t e l y , depending on the p a t i e n t ' s o v e r a l l r e a c t i o n . If the p a t i e n t f e e l s no sen-
s a t i o n and d o e s n o t r e a c t a f t e r p e n e t r a t i o n t o t h e d e s i r e d d e p t h ( n o t t o e x c e e d two
p o u c e e v e r ) , a t t e m p t a s l i g h t amount o f n e e d l e t w i r l i n g o n l y (no o t h e r m a n i p u l a t i o n
t e c h n i q u e s ) , b u t d o n o t p e n e t r a t e any d e e p e r if s t i l l no sensation or reaction
w i t h d r a w t h e n e e d l e a l l t h e way i n o r d e r t o p r e v e n t a n a c c i d e n t . The p a t i e n t s h o u l d
b e allowed t o r e s t f o r a h a l f hour a f t e r deep n e e d l i n g (over one pouce) o f t h i s
point. NOTE: M i s t a k e s i n n e e d l i n g can c a u s e permanent mutism i n t h e p a t i e n t , which
a c c o r d i n g t o a few a u t h o r i t i e s may p o s s i b l y b e c o r r e c t e d b y n e e d l i n g Go-26 ( t o n i f y ) .

Du 16 (Go-16): [ N o t e some a u t h o r i t i e s c a l l t h i s G o - 1 5 . ] At t h i s point

the Governor meridian sends an e n e r g e t i c a l branch into the b r a i n . Add
to l i s t of ' I n d i c a t i o n s ' given in textbook the following: "Neck s t i f f -
ness and p a i n ; v e r t i g o ; p o s s i b l e a c t i o n o n p i t u i t a r y gland and c e n t r a l
n e r v o u s s y s t e m [De L a F u y e l " . Do not needle t h i s point too deeply
(over one p o u c e ) . Deep n e e d l i n g c a u s e s l o s s of s p e e c h and s h o c k , which
c a n p o s s i b l y b e c o r r e c t e d a c c o r d i n g t o some a u t h o r i t i e s b y n e e d l i n g o f
Go-26 and G o - 2 3 . T h i s p o i n t i s FORBIDDEN T O M O X I B U S T I O N , a s c l a s s i -
c a l l y moxa h e r e c a n c a u s e a l o s s o f v o i c e i n t h e p a t i e n t .
Du 17 (Go-17): [ N o t e some a u t h o r i t i e s c a l l t h i s G o - 1 6 . ] At t h i s point
the Governor meridian also sends an e n e r g e t i c branch into the b r a i n .
Again, has a p o s s i b l e a c t i o n on the p i t u i t a r y gland according to De La
Fuye. T h i s p o i n t i s ABSOLUTELY FORBIDDEN T O MOXIBUSTION c l a s s i c a l l y ,
as it can r e n d e r the p a t i e n t mute. I t ' s C h i n e s e name i s " G a t e w a y o f
t h e B r a i n " and some a u t h o r i t i e s f o r b i d t h i s p o i n t t o n e e d l e s a s w e l l ,
I)('(..'inso c l a s s i c a l l y t o o d e e p n f n p u n c t u r e n t this point c a n rnnso
death. A l t h o u g h we do n o t f o r b i d it to n e e d l e s , we do n o t recommend
i t s use in any manner by our s t u d e n t s or g r a d u a t e s .

Du 18 (Go-18): [ N o t e some a u t h o r i t i e s c a l l t h i s G o - 1 7 . ] This point

generally strengthens the action of neighboring points, for indica-
tions like neck s t i f f n e s s , headache, v e r t i g o , e t c . Some a u t h o r s s a y
t h i s p o i n t is f o r b i d d e n to m o x i b u s t i o n , however we can find no c l a s s i -
cal or c l i n i c a l confirmation other than the fact that a l l Governor
V e s s e l p o i n t s from Go-18 t o Go-26 i n c l u s i v e a r e f o r b i d d e n t o m o x i b u s -
t i o n in p a t i e n t s with h y p e r t e n s i o n . ~~ ~
Du 19 (Go-19): [ N o t e some a u t h o r i t i e s c a l l t h i s G o - 1 8 . ] Also one-and-
a-half pouce p o s t e r i o r to Go-20. Add t h e f o l l o w i n g t o t h e l i s t o f
' I n d i c a t i o n s ' given in the textbook for this point: "Neck s t i f f n e s s
and p a i n ; m i g r a i n e ; f o r e h e a d and v e r t e x p a i n ; t i n n i t u s ; i n s o m n i a ; and
epilepsy".
Du 20 (Go-20): [ N o t e some a u t h o r i t i e s c a l l t h i s G o - 1 9 . ] Also loca-
ted a t f i v e cun (pouce) b e h i n d the a n t e r i o r h a i r l i n e (see F i g . 108,
textbook page 196), in a d e p r e s s i o n at the v e r t e x (crown) of the head.
Caution: P e r p e n d i c u l a r i n s e r t i o n may b e f a t a l always needle p a r a l -
lel along the s k u l l . Moxa s e e m s t o w o r k b e s t f o r a n a l p r o l a p s e , e s -
pecially in children. See n o t e re ' B e l l e r g a l ' under Ren-15 (Co-15) in
LESSON 22 THE GOVERNOR VESSEL PAGE 7

Lesson 15. A n o t h e r r e u n i o n p o i n t o f t h e Yang m e r i d i a n ' s s e c o n d a r y

branches. T r a d i t i o n a l l y , if t h e r e is an a b s c e s s at t h e crown of the
h e a d , i t i s n e c e s s a r y t o moxa t h e o p p o s i t e e n d o f t h e b o d y , n a m e l y
the f i r s t p o i n t of the Kidney m e r i d i a n at the bottom of the f o o t .
Du 21 (Go-21): [Note some a u t h o r i t i e s c a l l t h i s G o - 2 0 . ] Change word
"Vertical" to "Vertex" i n t e x t b o o k ' I n d i c a t i o n s ' f o r t h i s p o i n t and add
the following: Facial r e d n e s s ; head c o l d / c o n g e s t i o n ; stopped-up nose.
D u 2 2 ( G o - 2 2 ) : , [ N o t e some a u t h o r i t i e s c a l l t h i s G o - 2 1 . ] This point
is where the p a r i e t a l bones of t h e s i d e of the s k u l l meet t h e f r o n t a l
bone, or at the c r o s s - p o i n t of the medial l i n e of the head and the
coronal suture. In young c h i l d r e n t h i s is the f r o n t " s o f t s p o t " on the
head the Anterior or Bregmatic Fontanel (usually the last fontanel
t o c l o s e ) - - - a n d t h u s , t h i s p o i n t i s c l a s s i c a l l y FORBIDDEN T O NEEDLES
AND MOXIBUSTION BEFORE THE AGE O F EIGHT ( s o m e a u t h o r i t i e s s a y u n d e r
age s e v e n , and some u n d e r a g e t h r e e u n l e s s t h e r e i s r e t a r d e d o s s i f i c a -
tion) for if the fontanel is perforated it could be fatal for the
child. A s w e l l , d e e p ( o v e r two f e n ) p e r p e n d i c u l a r p u n c t u r e o f t h i s
p o i n t i s n o t a d v i s e d a t any t i m e . Add " a p o p l e x y w i t h a p h a s i a ; a n d ,
head p a i n due to a l c o h o l i c ' h a n g o v e r ' " to l i s t of i n d i c a t i o n s . Tradi-
t i o n a l a d v i c e r e g a r d i n g moxa o n t h i s p o i n t s t a t e s i f t h e moxa b e c o m e s
p a i n f u l , i t i s b e c a u s e t h e a i l m e n t i s h e a l i n g , and i t i s n o l o n g e r nec-
essary to continue it.
Du 23 (Go-23): [ N o t e some a u t h o r i t i e s c a l l t h i s G o - 2 2 . ] In a very
small depression. Best to have p a t i e n t s e a t e d , head e r e c t and f a c i n g
the p r a c t i t i o n e r . It would be wise to avoid moxibustion or n e e d l i n g
o f t h i s p o i n t i n young c h i l d r e n f o r t h e same r e a s o n a s u n d e r Go-22
above. Some t r a d i t i o n a l a d v i c e r e g a r d i n g t h i s p o i n t : Use t r i a n g u l a r
n e e d l e t o b l e e d i n o r d e r t o d i s p e r s e t h e e x c e s s Yang e n e r g y o f a l l t h e
Yang m e r i d i a n s s o t h a t i t d o e s n o t " a s s a u l t t h e h e a d " . Do l i g h t moxi-
b u s t i o n o n l y a s t o o much moxa c a n c a u s e e y e s i g h t t r o u b l e i n t h e p a t i e n t .
Du 24 (Go-24): [ N o t e some a u t h o r i t i e s c a l l t h i s G o - 2 3 . ] This point
is sometimes placed r i g h t at the midpoint of the a n t e r i o r h a i r l i n e .
I t ' s a specially favored i n s t i n c t i v e "scratch point" for example
when p o n d e r i n g o v e r a p r o b l e m . Add t h e f o l l o w i n g t o t h e l i s t o f ' I n -
dications' given in textbook: "Anxiety; vomiting; head c o l d , runny
nose; inflammation of the eyes; p a t i e n t in a dazed s t a t e . " Possible
a c t i o n on mucous membranes. T h i s p o i n t i s c l a s s i c a l l y FORBIDDEN T O
NEEDLES a s p u n c t u r e c a n c a u s e " m a d n e s s " o r b l i n d n e s s . Delete 'Puncture'
i n f o r m a t i o n in t e x t b o o k and s u b s t i t u t e : "Moxa 3 t o 7 m i n u t e s " .
NOTE: The p r o b l e m o f t h e n u m b e r i n g s y s t e m f o r t h i s m e r i d i a n a s d i s c u s s e d p r e v i -
o u s l y ( s e e Go-7 a b o v e ) now becomes e v e n more c o m p l e x . Some a u t h o r i t i e s add one or two
a d d i t i o n a l p o i n t s b e t w e e n o u r Go-24 and Go-25 [of t h e t w e n t y - e i g h t p o i n t n u m b e r i n g
system]. A s mentioned i n t h e Lesson o n t h e Conception V e s s e l , t h e e x t r a p o i n t c a l l e d
1 1
' Y i n t a n g ' ( C h i n a C u l t u r a l C o r p . C h a r t ' S - 3 , t e x t b o o k ' s ' E x t r a l p o i n t ) i s now b e i n g
i n c o r p o r a t e d i n t o t h i s m e r i d i a n b y a few s c h o o l s o f t h o u g h t a s G o - 2 5 , and t h u s t h e y
end u p w i t h a t o t a l o f t w e n t y - n i n e p o i n t s o n t h i s m e r i d i a n — s h i f t i n g a l l p o i n t s
from h e r e o n n u m e r i c a l l y u p w a r d s b y o n e n u m b e r . T o compound t h e p r o b l e m even m o r e ,
some s c h o o l s o f t h o u g h t add n o t o n l y ' Y i n t a n g ' b u t a n o t h e r e x t r a p o i n t j u s t below i t
at the root of the nose, for a t o t a l of t h i r t y points on t h i s meridian shifting
a l l p o i n t s from h e r e o n n u m e r i c a l l y u p w a r d s b y two n u m b e r s . Both o f t h e s e v a r i a t i o n s
a r e s t a r t i n g t o a f f e c t r e c e n t E n g l i s h l a n g u a g e l i t e r a t u r e and w e a g a i n c a u t i o n o u r
s t u d e n t s and g r a d u a t e s t o b e e x c e e d i n g l y c a r e f u l i n w o r k i n g w i t h o u t s i d e m a t e r i a l s ,
LESSON 22 THE GOVERNOR V E S S E L PAGE 8

p o i n t c o m b i n a t i o n s and f o r m u l a s i n v o l v i n g p o i n t s o n t h i s m e r i d i a n n u m e r i c a l l y g r e a t -
er than Go-6.
Du 25 (Go-25): [ N o t e some a u t h o r i t i e s c a l l t h i s G o - 2 4 , 2 6 , o r 2 7 . ] At
the extremity of the c a r t i l a g e prolongment of the nose bone, on the
tip of the nose. Good p o i n t f o r i n t o x i c a t e d p e r s o n a s n e e d l i n g t h i s
p o i n t f r e q u e n t l y c a u s e s immediate v o m i t i n g (be p r e p a r e d for i t ) . Also
supposed to be a good p o i n t for "Brandy n o s e " , but we have never h e a r d
t h i s e x p r e s s i o n a n d d o n o t know w h a t i t m e a n s m e d i c a l l y can any of
you r e a d e r s a d v i s e us on what it means? FORBIDDEN T O M O X I B U S T I O N .
Du 26 (Go-26): [ N o t e some a u t h o r i t i e s c a l l t h i s G o - 2 5 , 2 7 , o r 2 8 . ]
Change words " u p p e r l i p " t o r e a d " p h i l t r u m " i n s t e a d i n t e x t b o o k ' s
'Location' information for t h i s point. This point then is in the
p h i l t r u m ( g r o o v e between u p p e r l i p and n o s e ) a t one t h i r d t h e d i s t a n c e
thereof below the nose, on the muscle o r b i c u l a r i s o r i s . Patient should
be s i t t i n g u p r i g h t , with back of head supported a g a i n s t a head r e s t ,
or laying supine. The L a r g e I n t e s t i n e and Stomach m e r i d i a n s meet a t
this point. I t i s s o m e t i m e s u s e d a l o n g w i t h L I - 4 (Ho-Ku) t o r e l i e v e
d i s c o m f o r t e x p e r i e n c e d b y t h e p a t i e n t from n e e d l i n g p o i n t s o n t h e lower
p a r t s of the body. For permanent foul s m e l l i n g b r e a t h it is used along
w i t h EH-7 ( T a - L u n g ) . If the p a t i e n t ' s pulse stops in emergency s i t u a -
t i o n s t h i s p o i n t i s n e e d l e d for r e v i v a l [some a u t h o r s say a l o n g w i t h
L i v e r - 3 ( T ' a i - C h ' u n g ) a l t h o u g h Go-26 is a v e r y powerful r e s p o n d i n g
p o i n t i n i t s own r i g h t ] . According to the Yellow Emperor's C l a s s i c
(Nei C h i n g ) , t h i s i s a v e r y i m p o r t a n t p o i n t f o r f a c i a l edema, w i t h t h e
f l u i d g o i n g away s h o r t l y a f t e r n e e d l i n g and t h e c u r e h a p p e n i n g u n e x p e c t -
edly. T r a d i t i o n a l l y it is a very e f f e c t i v e point for such i n d i c a t i o n s
a s lockjaw; e p i l e p s y ; f a c i a l p a r a l y s i s ; and c u r v a t u r e o f t h e s p i n e . For
t h e l a s t two, L I - 1 1 ( C h ' U - C h ' i h ) i s u s u a l l y n e e d l e d a t t h e same t i m e .

Du 27 (Go-27): [ N o t e some a u t h o r i t i e s c a l l t h i s G o - 2 6 , 2 8 , o r 2 9 . ]
This point c l a s s i c a l l y belonged to the Large I n t e s t i n e meridian as i t s
t w e n t y - f i r s t p o i n t , b u t was l a t e r i n c o r p o r a t e d i n t o t h e G o v e r n o r m e r i d -
ian. Add t h e f o l l o w i n g t o t h e l i s t o f ' I n d i c a t i o n s ' g i v e n f o r t h i s
point in the textbook: " A p h t h a e ; e p i s t a x i s ; dry t o n g u e ; e p i l e p s y ; and
diabetes". Some s a y t h i s p o i n t i s f o r b i d d e n t o m o x i b u s t i o n , h o w e v e r
t r a d i t i o n a l l y MOXIBUSTION i s s i m p l y NOT ADVISED a t t h i s p o i n t .
Du 28 (Go-28): [ N o t e some a u t h o r i t i e s c a l l t h i s G o - 2 7 , 2 9 , o r 3 0 . ]
O f t e n d e s c r i b e d a s b e i n g o n t h e gums o f u p p e r j a w , i n a d e p r e s s i o n , b e -
tween t h e r o o t s o f t h e two m i d d l e i n c i s o r t e e t h , j u s t b e l o w t h e i n s e r -
tion of the frenulum of the upper l i p . This point c l a s s i c a l l y belong-
e d t o t h e C o n c e p t i o n V e s s e l a s i t ' s t w e n t y - f o u r t h p o i n t , b u t was l a t e r
incorporated into the Governor Vessel i n s t e a d . It is an intersection
p o i n t for t h e Governor, Conception and Stomach m e r i d i a n s . The i n d i c -
a t i o n for "hemorrhoids" given in textbook cannot be confirmed at t h i s
t i m e , but do add t h e f o l l o w i n g to t h e ' I n d i c a t i o n s ' t h e r e : "Inflamma-
t i o n and i t c h i n g a t i n n e r c o r n e r o f e y e s ; n o s e and eye d i s o r d e r s ; t o o t h -
ache". Some a u t h o r s s a y t h i s p o i n t i s f o r b i d d e n t o m o x i b u s t i o n , h o w -
e v e r t h e r e i s a s p e c i a l moxa . t e c h n i q u e g i v e n i n t r a d i t i o n a l l i t e r a t u r e
for t h i s p o i n t , and c l a s s i c a l l y i t i s not c o n t r a - i n d i c a t e d t o moxibus-
tion. I n o r d e r t o moxa t h i s p o i n t , t h e C h i n e s e p r o c e e d a s f o l l o w s \
Take a f i n e s p l i n t e r o f bamboo t h a t has b e e n s o a k e d i n c o o k i n g o i l , i g -
n i t e i t , and w i t h i t ' s i n c a n d e s c e n t t i p d o the m o x i b u s t i o n ( c l a s s i c s
sa,y p u n c t u r e w i t h t h e b u r n i n g e n d ? ? ? ) .
LESSON 22 PAGE 9

POINTS OF MAJOR AND SECONDARY T H E R A P E U T I C IMPORTANCE

NOTE: T h i s i s b y n o means a c o m p l e t e l i s t i n g o f a l l i n d i c a t i o n s p o s -
s i b l e for each given p o i n t , but r e p r e s e n t s r a t h e r t h o s e o f p r e v a i l i n g
u s e , in everyday t r e a t m e n t . The p o i n t s c i r c l e d b e l o w a r e t h e most
s i g n i f i c a n t o r MAJOR o n e s , and a l l i n f o r m a t i o n g i v e n f o r them s h o u l d
b e MEMORIZED i n f u l l . Those n o t c i r c l e d a r e t h e ' S e c o n d a r y ' p o i n t s ,
or points of l e s s e r t h e r a p e u t i c importance or value. Memorization of
Secondary p o i n t information is not r e q u i r e d for examination p u r p o s e s .

Go-1 "Ch'ang-Ch'iang" (Long Strong)

INDICATIONS: Hemorrhoids; r e c t a l p r o l a p s e ; d i a r r h e a ; con-

s t i p a t i o n ; lumbar and low b a c k p a i n ; i n t e s t i n a l b l e e d i n g ;
spermatorrhea; vasomotor headaches; general sexual dysfunc-
tion p o i n t ; epilepsy; u r e t h r i t i s ; weakness of rectum.
NEEDLE: 3 Fen to 1 Pouce [ 9 0 ] d i r e c t l y below coccyx w i t h
patient prone or in knee-chest position.
MOXA: 5 to 15 m i n u t e s

Go - 2 "Yao-Shu" (Lumbar Locus)

INDICATIONS: Pains in sacro-lumbar r e g i o n , lumbago; i r r e g -

u l a r m e n s t r u a t i o n ; h e m o r r h o i d s ; p a r a l y s i s and " c o l d n e s s " o f
lower limbs; r e c t a l p r o l a p s e ; ease c h i l d b i r t h ; s c i a t i c a .
NEEDLE: 3 Fen to 1 Pouce [45] upwards.
MOXA: 5 to 15 m i n u t e s

Go - 3 "Yao-Yang- Kuan" (Lumbar Sunny Pass)

INDICATIONS: Lumbago and l o i n r e g i o n p a i n ; s p e r m a t o r r h e a ;

i m p o t e n c e ; m e n s t r u a l d i s o r d e r s ; e n t e r i t i s ; a r t h r i t i s and
p a i n s o f k n e e ; p o s t - t r a u m a t i c n e u r a l g i a and d i f f i c u l t i e s ;
anxiety, i n s e c u r i t y ; weakness of legs.
NEEDLE: 5 Fen to 1 Pouce 2 Fen [90] needle t i l t e d upwards.
MOXA: 5 to 15 m i n u t e s

"Ming-Men" (Gate of Life)

INDICATIONS: Lumbago and p a i n i n l o i n r e g i o n ; s p e r m a t o r r h e a ;

impotence; e n u r e s i s ; l e u k o r r h e a ; a main p o i n t for s e x u a l func-
t i o n ; t i n n i t u s ; e n d o m e t r i t i s ; h e a d a c h e ; h e m o r r h o i d s ; good
p o i n t f o r g e n e r a l e x h a u s t i o n ; h e m o r r h o i d s ; hands and f e e t
ice cold; nigh fever.
NEEDLE: 5 Fen to 1 Pouce 5 Fen [90] slightly upward.
MOXA: 5 to 20 m i n u t e s
 LESSON 22 PAGE 10

P O I N T S OF MAJOR & SECONDARY T H E R A P E U T I C IMPORTANCE, CONTINUED . . . .

Go-12 "Shen-Chu" (Pillar of Body)

INDICATIONS: Asthma, dyspnea; b r o n c h i t i s ; back s t i f f n e s s

and p a i n ; a c t i o n o n s p i n a l column, i e . s t i f f n e s s ; e p i l e p s y
§ epilepsy in children; cough; mental i l l n e s s e s ; headaches.
NEEDLE: 3 Fen to 1 Pouce [60] slightly upward.
MOXA: 5 to 15 m i n u t e s

Go-13 "T'ao-Tao" (Seeking Path)

INDICATIONS: S t i f f n e s s of back § s p i n a l column; headache;

malaria; febrile (fever) diseases; epilepsy; t o r t i c o l l i s ,
c e r v i c a l syndrome § spasms at nape of neck, c o n t r a c t u r e of
shoulder musculature; mental i l l n e s s , ie. schizophrenia.
NEEDLE: 5 Fen to 1 Pouce [60] slightly upwards. [CAUTION
0 N N E E D L E D E P T H
MOXA: 5 to 15 minutes ^

Go-14> "Ta-Chuei" (Big Vertebra)

INDICATIONS: Fever; heatstroke; malaria; mental disorders,

i e . s c h i z o p h r e n i a ; e p i l e p s y ; asthma; c o l d s , i n f l u e n z a ; neck
s t i f f n e s s , spasms § p a i n ; back pains § s t i f f n e s s ; e p i s t a x i s ;
headache and p a i n s ; v o m i t i n g ; c o u g h s , whooping cough; p u l -
monary t u b e r c u l o s i s ; j a u n d i c e ; cases of heavy e x h a u s t i o n .
NEEDLE: 4 Fen to 1 Pouce 5 Fen [ 9 0 ] or t i l t i n g upward at a
slight slant. Do not puncture deeper!
MOXA: 5 to 17 minutes

Go-15 "Ya-Men" (Dumb Gate)

INDICATIONS: Deafness and m u t e n e s s ; h e a d a c h e , e s p e c i a l l y

p o s t e r i o r typel stiffness of neck; mental d i s o r d e r s , schiz-
ophrenia, neurosis, hysteria; e p i s t a x i s ; paralysis of the
t h r o a t and t o n g u e ; m e n i n g i t i s ; e p i l e p s y .
NEEDLE: See special instructions in Lesson material.
MOXA: FORBIDDEN
 LESSON 22 FACE 11

POINTS OF MAJOR & SECONDARY T H E R A P E U T I C IMPORTANCE, CONTINUED . . . .

"Pai-Hui" (Hundred Meetings)

INDICATIONS: E p i l e p s y ; a p o p l e x y $ s t r o k e ; h e a d a c h e and
migraine; dizziness; vertigo; anal prolapse; hemorrhoids;
t i n n i t u s ; d e a f n e s s ; r h i n i t i s ; may i n c r e a s e c o n c e n t r a t i o n
a b i l i t y ; h e m i p l e g i a ; n e r v o u s and m e n t a l d i s o r d e r s ; coma,
syncope, etc.
NEEDLE: 2 to 5 Fen [15] towards back or front of head.
MOXA: 5 to 10 m i n u t e s

Go-23 "Shang-Hsing" (Super Star)

INDICATIONS: Headache; forehead n e u r a l g i a ; eye d i s e a s e s

and p a i n s ; r h i n i t i s ; n a s a l o b s t r u c t i o n ; e p i s t a x i s ; n a s a l
polyps; sinusitis; i n t e r m i t t e n t f e v e r ; f a c i a l edema.
NEEDLE: 3 to 8 Fen [15] posteriorly [or Bleed].
MOXA: 3 to 5 minutes

"Jen-Chung" ( M i d d l e o f Man)
a l s o known a s "Shuei-Ko" (Water Ditch)

INDICATIONS: Shock; h e a t s t r o k e ; lumbago; e p i l e p s y ; f a c i a l

p a r a l y s i s , edema § s w e l l i n g ; a p o p l e x y § s t r o k e s ; l o c k j a w ;
diabetes; i n f a n t i l e convulsions; curvature of spine; mental
d i s o r d e r s ; emergency u s e , i e . f a i n t i n g , 'blackout', pulse
stops, unconsciousness, etc.
NEEDLE: 2 to 6 Fen [45] needle pointing upwards.
MOXA: 3 to 5 minutes
LESSON 22 SUPPLEMENTARY PAGE I

THE GOVERNOR V E S S E L P O I N T S AND PALPATION OF THE S P I N E

by Charles H. McWilliams. Consultant: Dr. Ansis Kozlovskis (D.C.)

In o r d e r to p r o p e r l y l o c a t e t h e Governor V e s s e l (and Bladder)

p o i n t s o n t h e b a c k o f t h e b o d y , i t i s n e c e s s a r y t o know how t o c o r -
r e c t l y palpate the spine. Palpating the spine in this context means
to manually identify the spinous processes; as these processes (pro-
j e c t i o n s ) are the r e f e r e n c e p o i n t s not only for C h i r o p r a c t o r s , Oste-
o p a t h s , P h y s i c a l T h e r a p i s t s , and O r t h o p e d i s t s , but a l s o for Acupunc-
turists. They a r e t h e ' l a n d m a r k s ' b y which t o a c c u r a t e l y l o c a t e the
different vertebrae. T h e m i s l o c a t i o n o f a v e r t e b r a may m e a n t h e d i f -
f e r e n c e b e t w e e n w h e t h e r you s t i m u l a t e , f o r e x a m p l e , Go-6 o r Go-7. In
e s s e n c e , s i n c e G o - 7 i s s t r i c t l y f o r b i d d e n , t h i s may mean t h e d i f f e r -
ence between whether the p a t i e n t g e t s b e t t e r or becomes worse!

THE SPINOUS PROCESS

The s p i n o u s p r o c e s s of a v e r t e b r a
i s t h e bony prominence a t t h e p o s t e r i o r
p a r t o f t h e v e r t e b r a l bone i t s e l f and
s e r v e s as a p l a c e for l i g a m e n t and mus- Cervical
cle attachments. (See diagrams below) vertebrae
They p r o j e c t out p o s t e r i o r l y o n t h e back
of the body, at the m i d l i n e , and can be
f e l t as a small bony ' p r o j e c t i o n ' about
the size of a knuckle of your f i s t .
Vertebrae = Plural of vertebra
Processes = Plural of process

Thoracic
vertebrae

ody

Lumbar
vertebrae
LUMBAR VERTEBRA

Spinous proe*

T H O R A C I C VERTEBRAE Sacral
vertebrae

Coccygeal
vertebrae
LESSON 22 SUPPLEMENTARY PAGE 2

THE SPINE (See diagram on Page 1)

The s p i n e c o n s i s t s o f 7 c e r v i c a l v e r t e b r a e , 1 2 t h o r a c i c v e r t e -
b r a e , 5 lumbar v e r t e b r a e , and a f u s e d mass of v a r y i n g l y s e p a r a t e d 5
s a c r a l , and 4 c o c c y g e a l v e r t e b r a e . For c o n v e n i e n c e of d i s c u s s i o n ,
t h e c e r v i c a l s p i n e may b e c o n s i d e r e d a p a r t f r o m t h e r e m a i n d e r o f t h e
s p i n a l column. I n some a c u p u n c t u r e t e x t s , t h e c e r v i c a l v e r t e b r a e a r e
not counted. If this is the case, the corresponding anatomical des-
ignations are as follows: The f i r s t 1 2 n u m e r i c a l l y a r e t h e 1 2 t h o r a c -
ic of the rib cage area; the t h i r t e e n t h to the seventeenth numerically
are the 5 lumbar v e r t e b r a e at the waist a r e a .
The s p i n e , v i e w e d l a t e r a l l y o n Page 1 , p r e s e n t s f o u r c u r v a t u r e s
to be carefully noted. Least pronounced is the cervical curvature
w h i c h c o n c a v e s i n w a r d t o w a r d s t h e t h r o a t b e g i n n i n g w i t h t h e 2nd c e r -
v i c a l and ending w i t h the 6th c e r v i c a l ( a b b r e v i a t e d C6). C6, at the
b a s e of t h e n e c k , on most p e r s o n s is t h e most e a s i l y p a l p a b l e s p i n o u s
process while in a s i t t i n g (erect) position.
C7 begins the s t a r t of a d i s t i n c t convexity of the l a r g e s t seg-
ment of t h e s p i n e , the t h o r a c i c s p i n e . The p r o m i n e n c e o f t h e 7 t h
c e r v i c a l ( s e e d i a g r a m below) i s v e r y n o t i c e a b l e when t h e head i s low-
ered forward towards the chest. Also, C7 is the last vertebra at the
b a s e o f t h e neck w h i c h f r e e l y r o t a t e s when t h e h e a d i s t u r n e d from
side to side. The 1 s t t h o r a c i c ( T l ) , i m m e d i a t e l y below i t , does n o t
move w i t h t h e h e a d i n t h a t s i d e t o s i d e m o t i o n l i k e C 7 d o e s .
The point Go-14 (Ta-Chuei) transliterates as "Big Vertebra" because this point
is right below the spinous process of C 7 . This "Big Vertebra" can be used as a
landmark and an originating point from which to count and locate other vertebrae
down the back, when palpating with the fingers.
LESSON 22 SUPPLEMENTARY PAGE 3

The s e c o n d s p i n a l c u r v a t u r e , t h e t h o r a c i c s p i n e , h a s 1 2 v e r t e -
brae (which a t t a c h to the twelve r i b s ) with t h e i r spinous p r o c e s s e s
having a very d i f f e r e n t shape as compared to the lumbar s p i n a l sec-
t i o n immediately below i t . P l e a s e t a k e c a r e f u l n o t e o f how t h e s p i -
n o u s p r o c e s s e s o f t h e l u m b a r v e r t e b r a e a r e much l o n g e r a n d l a r g e r
than those of the thoracic. The s p i n o u s p r o c e s s e s o f t h e t h o r a c i c
v e r t e b r a e , u p o n p a l p a t i o n , f e e l much s m a l l e r i n d i a m e t e r a s c o m p a r e d
to the lengthy p r o j e c t i o n s of the lumbar v e r t e b r a e .
O n t h e a v e r a g e a d u l t , t h e 1 2 t h t h o r a c i c ( a b b r e v i a t e d T12) upon p a l p a t i o n w i t h
t h e f o r e f i n g e r f e e l s a b o u t t h e s i z e o f t h e m i d d l e k n u c k l e o f t h e f i s t when i t i s
clenched. The l u m b a r s p i n o u s p r o c e s s ( 1 s t l u m b a r ) i m m e d i a t e l y b e l o w i t w i l l f e e l
much l o n g e r i n l e n g t h . L I would c o m p a r e r o u g h l y t o p a l p a t i n g t h e l a s t p h a l a n x o n
t h e p o s t e r i o r s u r f a c e o f t h e l i t t l e f i n g e r w i t h t h e hand p l a c e d f l a t o n a s u r f a c e
in f r o n t of you.
The l u m b a r s p i n e , t h e t h i r d c u r v a t u r e (more p r o n o u n c e d i n f e -
m a l e s ) , c o n c a v e s i n w a r d t o w a r d s t h e b o w e l s from T12 t o t h e l u m b o -
sacral joint. The f o u r t h c u r v a t u r e , t h e p e l v i c c u r v e ( i n c l u d i n g s a -
c r a l and c o c c y g e a l s p i n e s ) , c o n v e x e s o u t w a r d away from t h e b o w e l s .
The s p i n o u s p r o c e s s e s o f t h e s a c r a l v e r t e b r a e a r e s m a l l e r t o t o u c h
as compared to t h o r a c i c v e r t e b r a e . Although sacral vertebrae are
n o t landmarks for any Governor V e s s e l p o i n t s , d e s c r i p t i o n is given
h e r e t o h e l p you when you r e a c h L e s s o n #24 o n t h e B l a d d e r m e r i d i a n .
In the middle of the sacrum are t h r e e or four t u b e r c l e s , which
represent the rudimentary spinous processes of the sacral vertebrae.
O f t h e s e t u b e r c l e s , t h e f i r s t i s u s u a l l y p r o m i n e n t and p e r f e c t l y d i s -
t i n c t f r o m t h e r e s t , a l t h o u g h f a t t y t i s s u e i n t h i s a r e a may b e a n
o b s t a c l e , excluding it as a reference point. The s e c o n d and t h i r d
tubercles are either separate or united into a tubercular ridge,
which d i m i n i s h e s i n s i z e from above downward; t h e f o u r t h and f i f t h
usually always, remain undeveloped (see diagram below).
The l o w e r b o r d e r o f t h e
sacrum is the l o c a t i o n of the
s a c r a l h i a t u s which is in the
crease between the buttocks.
The s a c r a l h i a t u s i s t h e gap a t
the end of t h e sacrum, exposing
the spinal canal. The apex o f
t h e s a c r u m , d i r e c t e d downward
and s l i g h t l y f o r w a r d , p r e s e n t s
a small, oval, concave surface
for a r t i c u l a t i o n with the coccyx.
The i m p o r t a n t p o i n t Go-2 ( Y a o - S h u ,
sometimes c a l l e d "Lion's Locus")
is located by palpating the sacral
cornu (see diagram) which marks
t h e end of t h e sacrum and t h e b e -
ginning of the coccygeal spine.
P a l p a t i n g f u r t h e r downward t o -
wards the t i p of t h e coccyx, you
can feel the d i s t i n c t ending of
t h e s p i n e and r i g h t t h e r e i s t h e
l o c a t i o n o f t h e p o i n t Go-1 o r
"Ch'ang-Ch'iang".
LESSON 22 SUPPLEMENTARY PAGE 4

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

The o n l y way t o g a i n any d e x t e r i t y i n s p i n a l p a l p a t i o n i s t o

practice on other persons. This w i l l require the aid of your spouse,
a f r i e n d , e t c . , by b e i n g ' p a t i e n t ' w i t h you w h i l e you p a l p a t e t h e i r
back to l o c a t e most of the v e r t e b r a e for y o u r s e l f . Also, the leaner
your subject, the easier the locations are to find.
UPPER BACK LOCATING: A good p r o c e d u r e f o r l o c a t i n g t h e s p i n a l p r o c e s -
ses on the upper back is to have the subject s i t t i n g in an erect posi-
t i o n on a s t o o l of some k i n d . As you g a i n m a s t e r y of t h e l o c a t i o n s ,
it w i l l help to have a fine t i p p e d , n o n - t o x i c , f e l t marker handy, so
you can mark a d o t on t h e t i p of t h e s p i n a l p r o j e c t i o n on t h e s k i n .
S t a r t by r u n n i n g the t i p s of your index and middle f i n g e r s of your most
d e x t e r o u s h a n d u p a n d down a f o o t o r s o , l o n g s e g m e n t o f t h e u p p e r
spine. A s y o u s t r o k e t h e s p i n e w i t h f i r m p r e s s u r e y o u w i l l f e e l bumps
or tubercles spaced at regular i n t e r v a l s . These are the spinous pro-
cesses of the v e r t e b r a e . E a c h bump i s t h e l o c a t i o n o f a s p e c i f i c v e r -
tebra t h e t r i c k o f c o u r s e i s t o know w h i c h o n e ! As your reference
p o i n t , have t h e s u b j e c t t i l t t h e i r head f o r w a r d and l o c a t e C 7 ("Big
Vertebra"). Immediately below C7 w i l l be t h e n e x t bump, T l ; below Tl
w i l l be T2, and so on. On the very t i p of each spinous p r o c e s s , place
a dot w i t h your f e l t marker and c o n t i n u e marking to see if you can
r e a c h a l l t h e way down t o t h e 1 2 t h t h o r a c i c v e r t e b r a . If you a r e b e i n g
f a i r l y c o r r e c t i n i d e n t i f y i n g the t h o r a c i c v e r t e b r a e , your marks should
place T7 about level with the lower border of the shoulder b l a d e s .
LOWER BACK L O C A T I N G : The b e s t p r o c e d u r e f o r l o c a t i n g t h e s p i n o u s p r o -
cesses on the lower back is to have the subject lying f l a t on t h e i r
stomach on a massage or t r e a t m e n t t a b l e , however n e a r t h e edge of a
bed w i l l s u f f i c e . S t a r t by l o c a t i n g t h e dot t h a t you p l a c e d on T12.
If you did not f i n d T12, it is a p p r o x i m a t e l y s i x pouce (cun) above the
i l i a c crest (highest points of the h i p s ) . Stroke the t i p s of your in-
d e x and m i d d l e f i n g e r s u p and down t h e s p i n a l s e g m e n t i n v o l v e d a n d f i n d
where t h e 12th t h o r a c i c v e r t e b r a ends and where t h e r a t h e r l o n g , b l u n t
p r o j e c t i o n of the f i r s t lumbar v e r t e b r a b e g i n s . Palpating the location
of the 5 lumbar v e r t e b r a e is more d i f f i c u l t t h a n t h e p r o c e d u r e for the
thoracic vertebrae. The l u m b a r v e r t e b r a e , b e c a u s e o f t h e i r l o n g s p i -
nous p r o c e s s e s , have very l i t t l e space in between them. Consequently,
i t may h e l p i f y o u p l a c e a p i l l o w u n d e r t h e l o w e r a b d o m e n o f t h e s u b -
j e c t w h i l e t h e y a r e l y i n g down o n t h e i r s t o m a c h t o g e t b e t t e r f l e x i o n
o f t h e s p i n e (hence t h e i r i n t e r v e r t e b r a l s p a c e s become w i d e n e d ) . Again,
i f you a r e b e i n g f a i r l y c o r r e c t w i t h your p a l p a t i o n p r o c e d u r e , t h e
highest points of the hips ( i l i a c c r e s t ) s h o u l d b e l e v e l w i t h the mid-
dle of the 4th lumbar v e r t e b r a .
P a l p a t e t h e r e m a i n d e r o f t h e s p i n e a l l t h e way down t o t h e t i p o f
the coccyx and use t h e d e s c r i p t i o n s p r o v i d e d p r e v i o u s l y in t h e s e Sup-
p l e m e n t a r y Pages f o r t h e sacrum and c o c c y x . Once you become a c q u a i n t -
ed with the l o c a t i o n of the v e r t e b r a e , the next s t e p would be to lo-
c a t e Governor p o i n t s 3 to, 15 i n c l u s i v e , as t h e s e a r e l o c a t e d between
s p e c i f i c spinous p r o c e s s e s , making t h e i r i d e n t i f i c a t i o n f a i r l y simple.
( G o v e r n o r 1 5 i s j u s t a b o v e t h e 2nd c e r v i c a l v e r t e b r a , and C 2 h a s t h e
f i r s t spinous process below the o c c i p u t . Go-15 i s a l s o immediately be-
low Go-16 [ s e e L e s s o n m a t e r i a l ] , m a k i n g l o c a t i o n o f Go-15 w i t h a n e l e c -
tronic point locator easy, without having to directly palpate spine.)
LESSON 22 SUBMERIDIANS SUPPLEMENTARY PAGE A

THE LONGITUDINAL LO V E S S E L OF THE GOVERNOR V E S S E L

T h i s v e s s e l s t a r t s a t t h e p o i n t G o - 1 (Ch ' a r t g - C h ' i a n g ) ,

climbs to the neck, separates into branches in the head, des-
cends a g a i n to the s h o u l d e r and communicates w i t h the m e r i d i a n
of the Bladder, penetrates deeply into the muscles up to the
g e n i t a l p a r t s where it unites i t s e l f with the Conception Vessel
and t h e m e r i d i a n of t h e K i d n e y s .

Symptomatology and T r e a t m e n t :
F u l l n e s s : S t i f f n e s s of the v e r t e b r a l column; s e d a t e Go-1.
E m p t i n e s s : Head h e a v y , head which s h a k e s ; t o n i f y G o - 1 .
2. The Eight Extra Channels:
T h e Eight E x t r a Channels are the Du, Ren, Chong, Dai, Yinwei, Y a n g -
wei, Yinchiao and Yangchiao Channels. T h e y are different from the
Twelve Channels as they do not pertain to any of the internal organs.
T h i s i s t h e r e a s o n for c a l l i n g t h e T w e l v e C h a n n e l s t h e R e g u l a r C h a n n e l s
and the Eight Channels the Extra Channels.

a. Du Mai (the Back Midline Channel)

Course: This channel starts in t h e pelvic cavity, descends and emerges

at t h e p e r i n e u m , passing t h r o u g h t h e tip of the coccyx (Changqiang, Du
1) and ascending along the middle of the spinal column to communicate
with the kidney in the l u m b a r region. T h e n it ascends to the brain,
reaching the vertex, winding in t h e midline of the forehead to the
c o l u m e l l a o f t h e n o s e t o d e s c e n d t o t h e u p p e r lip, t e r m i n a t i n g a t P t .
Y i n j i a o ( D u 28). ( S e e F i g . 20.)
Records say that the Du Channel is the confluence of the Y a n g C h a n -
nels. The word du means to govern, and it is thought that the Du
C h a n n e l h a s t h e f u n c t i o n o f g o v e r n i n g all t h e Y a n g C h a n n e l s .
Pathological Symptoms: Febrile diseases, mental disorders, stiffness
a n d pain of t h e spinal column, opisthotonos, etc.
Fig. 20. Du Mai (the Back Midline Channel)
Fig. 104. The Du (Back Midline) Channel
 (13) THE DU (BACK MIDLINE) CHANNEL
— 28 Points —

1. C h a n g q i a n g (Du 1):
Location: M i d w a y b e t w e e n the tip of the coccyx and the anus, located
w i t h t h e p a t i e n t i n p r o n e o r k n e e - c h e s t p o s i t i o n . ( S e e F i g . 105.)
Indications: Hemorrhoids, prolapse of rectum, diarrhea.
P u n c t u r e : P e r p e n d i c u l a r l y 0.5-1.0 i n c h d i r e c t l y b e l o w c o c c y x .

2. Y a o s h u (Du 2):
Location: At the junction be-
t w e e n t h e s a c r u m a n d the coccyx,
at the hiatus of the sacrum.
Indications: Pain in the sacro-
l u m b a r region, irregular m e n -
struation, spermatorrhea, impo-
tence, enteritis, diarrhea.
Changqiang ( D u 1)
Puncture: O b l i q u e l y 0.5-1.0
inch u p w a r d .
3.
Y a o y a n g g u a n (Du 3):
Fig. 105 Location: In the interspace of
the spinous process between the
4th and 5th lumbar vertebrae. Locate the point with the patient in prone
position.
Indications: Lumbago, spermatorrhea, impotence.
P u n c t u r e : P e r p e n d i c u l a r l y 1.0-1.5 i n c h e s w i t h n e e d l e t i l t e d u p w a r d .
4. M i n g m e n (Du 4):
Location: W i t h t h e patient in p r o n e position, it is b e t w e e n t h e spinous
process of t h e 2nd and 3rd l u m b a r vertebrae, at t h e midline. (See Fig.
106.)
Indications: Lumbago,
spermatorrhea, impotence.
Puncture: Perpendicu-
l a r l y 1.0-1.5 i n c h e s w i t h
needle tilted slightly u p -
ward.
M i n g m e n ( D u 4)
Umbilicus
5. X u a n s h u (Du 5):
Location: Below the
s p i n o u s p r o c e s s of t h e 1st
lumbar vertebra. Locate
the point with the patient
in prone position.
Indications: Lumbago,
back pain, dyspepsia, en-
teritis, diarrhea. Fig. 106
 Puncture: O b l i q u e l y 0.5-1.0 i n c h , slightly u p w a r d .

6. Jizhong (Du 6):

Location: Below the spinous process of the 11th thoracic vertebra. Lo-
cate t h e point w i t h patient in p r o n e position.
Indications: Epilepsy, h e m o r r h o i d s with bleeding.
Puncture: Obliquely 0.5-1.0 inch, slightly u p w a r d .

7. Z h o n g s h u (Du 7 ) :
Location: With the patient in p r o n e position, it is below t h e spinous proc-
ess o f t h e 1 0 t h t h o r a c i c v e r t e b r a .
Indications: Back pain, gastralgia, anorexia, failing eyesight.
Puncture: O b l i q u e l y 0.5-1.0 i n c h , s l i g h t l y u p w a r d .

8. J i n s u o (Du 8 ) :
Location: Below the spinous process of the 9th thoracic vertebra. Locate
the point w i t h t h e patient in p r o n e position.
Indications: Back pain, gastralgia, neurasthenia, epilepsy, hysteria.
P u n c t u r e : O b l i q u e l y 0.5-1.0 i n c h , s l i g h t l y u p w a r d .

9. Z h i y a n g (Du 9 ) :
L o c a t i o n : B e l o w t h e s p i n o u s p r o c e s s o f t h e 7 t h t h o r a c i c v e r t e b r a , level t o
the inferior angle of t h e scapula.
Indications: Cough, dyspnea, jaundice, gastralgia, chest a n d back pain,
stiffness of t h e s p i n a l c o l u m n .
Puncture: O b l i q u e l y 0.5-1.0 i n c h , s l i g h t l y u p w a r d .

10. Lingtai ( D u 10):

Location: Below the spinous process of the 6th thoracic vertebra.
Indications: Asthma, bronchitis, l u m b a g o and back pain, gastralgia.
Puncture: O b l i q u e l y 0.5-1.0 i n c h , s l i g h t l y u p w a r d .

11. S h e n d a o ( D u 11):
Location: Below the spinous process of the 5th thoracic vertebra. Locate
the point with patient in prone position.
I n d i c a t i o n s : P o o r m e m o r y , a n x i e t y , stiffness o f b a c k , c o u g h .
P u n c t u r e : O b l i q u e l y 0.5-1.0 i n c h , s l i g h t l y u p w a r d .

12. S h e n z h u (Du 12):

Location: Below the spinous process of the 3rd thoracic vertebra. Locate
the point w i t h patient in p r o n e position.
I n d i c a t i o n s : C o u g h , d y s p n e a , e p i l e p s y , stiffness a n d p a i n i n b a c k .
Puncture: O b l i q u e l y 0.5-1.0 i n c h , s l i g h t l y u p w a r d .
Fig. 107
13. Taodao ( D u 1 3 ) :
L o c a t i o n : B e l o w t h e s p i n o u s p r o c e s s o f t h e 1st t h o r a c i c v e r t e b r a . L o c a t e
t h e point w i t h p a t i e n t in p r o n e position.
Indications: Stiffness of back, h e a d a c h e , malaria, febrile diseases, epi-
lepsy.
Puncture: O b l i q u e l y 0.5-1.0 i n c h , s l i g h t l y u p w a r d .

14. D a z h u i (Du 14):

Location: Between the 7th cervical vertebra and the spinous process of
t h e 1st t h o r a c i c v e r t e b r a .
Indications: Fever, h e a t stroke, malaria, schizophrenia, epilepsy, asth-
ma, eczema.
P u n c t u r e : P e r p e n d i c u l a r l y 0.5-1.5 inches, or tilting u p w a r d at a slight
slant. Deeper p u n c t u r e is not advisable.

15. Y a m e n ( D u 15):
L o c a t i o n : A t t h e n a p e , 0.5 c u n a b o v e t h e h a i r l i n e , b e t w e e n t h e s p i n o u s
p r o c e s s o f t h e 1st a n d 2 n d c e r v i c a l v e r t e b r a e . ( S e e F i g . 90.)
I n d i c a t i o n s : D e a f n e s s a n d m u t e n e s s , p o s t e r i o r h e a d a c h e , stiffness o f
neck, schizophrenia, neurosis.
P u n c t u r e : Ask patient to bend neck slightly, insert needle p e r p e n d i c -
ularly and slowly t o w a r d s t h e m a n d i b l e to a d e p t h generally not exceed-
i n g 1.5 i n c h e s . M a n i p u l a t i n g t h e n e e d l e i s n o t a d v i s a b l e . ( S e e F i g . 107.)

16. Fengfu (Du 16):

Location: Directly below the occipital protuberance, in the midline, in
a depression 1 cun above the hairline.
Indications: Cold, h e a d a c h e , m e n t a l disorders, apoplexy.
P u n c t u r e : P e r p e n d i c u l a r l y 0.5-0.8 inch.

17. N a o h u ( D u 17):

L o c a t i o n : 1.5 c u n a b o v e F e n g f u ( D u 16), s u p e r i o r t o t h e o c c i p i t a l p r o t u -
berance.
Indications: Stiffness a n d p a i n in t h e neck, h e a d a c h e , dizziness, epilepsy.
Puncture: Obliquely 0.5-0.8 inch.

18. Qiangjian ( D u 1 8 ) :
L o c a t i o n : 1.5 c u n a b o v e N a o h u ( D u 17), m i d w a y b e t w e e n F e n g f u ( D u
16) a n d B a i h u i ( D u 20).
 Indications: Headache, vomiting, dizziness.
P u n c t u r e : O b l i q u e l y 0.5-0.8 inch::

19. H o u d i n g (Du 19):

L o c a t i o n : 1.5 c u n a n t e r i o r to Q i a n g j i a n (Du 18).
Indications: H e a d a c h e , dizziness a n d vertigo.
P u n c t u r e : O b l i q u e l y 0.5-0.8 i n c h .

2 0 . B a i h u i ( D u 20):
Location: 7 c u n a b o v e t h e p o s t e r i o r h a i r l i n e , m i d w a y o n a line c o n -
n e c t i n g t h e a p e x oC b o t h e a r s . ( S e e F i g . 108.)
Indications: Epilepsy, schizophrenia, apoplexy, headache.
P u n c t u r e : 0.3 i n c h h o r i z o n t a l l y p o s t e r i o r l y .

2 1 . Q i a n d i n g ( D u 21):
L o c a t i o n : 1.5 c u n a n t e r i o r t o B a i h u i (Du 20).
I n d i c a t i o n s : V e r t i c a l h e a d a c h e , d i z z i n e s s a n d v e r t i g o , facial swelling,
convulsions in children and infants.
P u n c t u r e : Obliquely 0.5-0.8 inch.

2 2 . X i n h u i (Du 22):
Location: 3 c u n a n t e r i o r to B a i h u i (Du 20).

5 cun

7 cun

Fig. 108
 Indications: Headache, dizziness and vertigo, nasal obstruction, epistaxis,
convulsions in children and infants.
P u n c t u r e : Obliquely 0.5-0.8 inch.

23. S h a n g x i n g (Du 2 3 ) :
Location: 1 cun a b o v e the m i d d l e of t h e a n t e r i o r hairline, 4 cun a n -
t e r i o r t o B a i h u i ( D u 20).
Indications: H e a d a c h e , eye diseases, rhinitis, nasal obstruction, epistaxis.
P u n c t u r e : O b l i q u e l y 0.5-0.8 inch.

24. S h e n t i n g (Du 2 4 ) :
Location: 0.5 c u n a b o v e t h e m i d p o i n t o f t h e a n t e r i o r h a i r l i n e .
Indications: F r o n t a l headache, dizziness a n d vertigo, rhinitis, epilepsy,
anxiety, insomnia.
P u n c t u r e : O b l i q u e l y 0.5-0.8 i n c h .

25. Suliao (Du 25):

L o c a t i o n : A t t h e t i p o f t h e n o s e . ( S e e F i g . 104.)
Indications: Nasal obstruction, epistaxis, abscess in nose, rosacea,
rhinitis, shock.
P u n c t u r e : P e r p e n d i c u l a r l y 0.2-0.3 inch.

26. Renzhong (Du 26):

Location: In the midline at the junction of the upper and lower two-
t h i r d s o f t h e u p p e r lip. ( S e e F i g . 104.)
Indications: S h o c k , h e a t s t r o k e , l u m b a g o , e p i l e p s y , facial p a r a l y s i s .
P u n c t u r e : 0.3-0.5 inch, n e e d l e point tilted u p w a r d .

27. Duiduan (Du 27):

Location: On t h e m e d i a n t u b e r c l e of t h e u p p e r lip, at t h e j u n c t i o n of
t h e p h i l t r u m a n d t h e u p p e r lip. ( S e e F i g . 104.)
I n d i c a t i o n s : T o o t h a c h e , t h r u s h , foul b r e a t h .
P u n c t u r e : Obliquely 0.2-0.3 inch.

28. Y i n j i a o ( D u 28):
L o c a t i o n : B e t w e e n t h e u p p e r lip a n d t h e u p p e r g u m i n t h e l a b i a l f r e n u m .
(See F i g . 104.)
Indications: Pain and swelling of the gum, hemorrhoids.
P u n c t u r e : O b l i q u e l y u p w a r d , 0.1-0.2 i n c h , o r p r i c k w i t h t h r e e - e d g e d
n e e d l e a n d let o u t b l o o d .