Acupuncture Times Your guide to acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine and TCM — explore acupoints, herbs and formulas, plus the latest acupuncture research news.
Related Articles
This point, below the occiput, is a principal point for expelling both external and internal wind, benefiting the brain and tongue and relieving neck stiffness.
Location
At the nape, in the depression directly below the external occipital protuberance, 1 cun within the posterior hairline.
Anatomy
Between the occiput and the atlas; the branches of the occipital artery; the third occipital nerve; the medulla lies deep.
Actions & Functions
- Expels external and internal wind
- Benefits the brain, tongue and speech
- Calms the spirit and benefits the neck
Indications
Headache and stiff neck, common cold, dizziness, windstroke and hemiplegia, aphasia, mania, and nosebleed.
Needling
0.5-1.0 cun, directed towards the lower jaw; never angle upward or insert deeply.
Moxibustion Suitability
Moxibustion is generally avoided here.
Point Combinations
With GB-20 and LI-4 for the common cold and headache; with DU-15 for the brain and speech.
Classical Text References
A meeting point of the Du Mai with the Yang Wei Mai; a Window of Heaven point.
Cautions & Contraindications
DANGER POINT: the medulla lies deep. Direct towards the lower jaw, do not angle upward, do not insert deeply.
Latest Research
Latest peer-reviewed research on this point will be summarised here, with citations linked to PubMed, via our research integration.
