Governing Vessel 17 (DU 17) Nao Hu — Brain’s Door

This point, on the occiput, benefits the brain and eyes, calms the spirit and relieves headache.

Governing Vessel 17 (DU 17) Nao Hu 腦戶 — Brain’s Door

Location

On the head, on the upper border of the external occipital protuberance, 1.5 cun superior to DU-16.

Anatomy

On the occipitalis; the occipital arteries and veins; the greater occipital nerve.

Actions & Functions

  • Benefits the brain and the eyes
  • Calms the spirit and extinguishes wind

Indications

Headache, dizziness, stiff neck, epilepsy, and eye disorders.

Needling

0.3-0.5 cun, transverse insertion.

Moxibustion Suitability

Moxibustion is classically restricted here; prefer needling.

Point Combinations

With DU-16 and GB-20 for headache.

Classical Text References

A meeting point of the Du Mai with the Bladder channel.

Cautions & Contraindications

Needle transversely over the occiput; do not insert into the foramen.

Latest Research

Latest peer-reviewed research on this point will be summarised here, with citations linked to PubMed, via our research integration.

About Attilio

Doctor of Chinese medicine, acupuncture expert and author of My Fertility Guide and My Pregnancy Guide.

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PubMed research

Acupuncture Shows Sustained Benefits for Chronic Daily Headache Prevention in Adults, Meta-Analysis Finds

Research summary (Acupuncture): Utility of Acupuncture Therapy for Adult Chronic Daily Headache Prophylaxis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. - Medical science monitor : international medical journal of experimental and clinical research, 2026.