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Mingmen (DU-4), “Gate of Life”, between the Kidneys, is the principal point for tonifying Kidney yang and the source (yuan) qi, warming the lower burner and strengthening the lower back.
Location
On the lower back, in the depression below the spinous process of the second lumbar vertebra (L2), opposite the umbilicus.
Anatomy
On the supraspinous and interspinous ligaments; the lumbar arterial branches; the medial branch of the dorsal ramus of the lumbar nerve.
Actions & Functions
- Tonifies and warms Kidney yang and the Gate of Vitality (Ming Men) fire
- Benefits the source qi and essence
- Strengthens the lower back and knees
- Warms the lower burner
Indications
Chronic lower back pain and coldness, weak knees, impotence, seminal emission and infertility, chronic diarrhoea at dawn, and exhaustion and cold limbs.
Needling
0.5-1.0 cun, perpendicular or slightly oblique upward insertion.
Moxibustion Suitability
Highly suitable - moxa on Mingmen is a classic method to warm and tonify Kidney yang.
Point Combinations
With BL-23 and REN-4 to tonify Kidney yang; with moxa for cold and deficiency.
Classical Text References
A key point of the Du Mai for the Gate of Vitality and Kidney yang.
Cautions & Contraindications
None specific.
Latest Research
Latest peer-reviewed research on this point will be summarised here, with citations linked to PubMed, via our research integration.