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Location Guides: |
Point of the Sea of Marrow
Window of Heaven point
Sun Si-miao Ghost point (2nd trinity)
Xu Qiufu Ghost point
Master Tung's Seven Stars
One of the "59 piercings" for clearing Heat in Ling Shu Ch. 23
Meeting of Governing Vessel with Yang Wei Mai
On the midline at the nape of the neck, in the depression immediately below the external occupital produberance.
Perpendicular insertion slightly inferiorly 0.5 - 1 cun
The spinal canal lies between 1.5 and 2 cun deep to the skin surface, varying according to body build. Deep perpendicular insertion is therefore strictly contraindicated, as is superior oblique insertion towards the brain. According to several classical texts this point is contraindicated to moxibustion.
"It is needled to a depth of four fen, and (the needle) is retained for a duration of three exhalations.Moxibustion is prohibited as it may cause loss of voice. It is needled to a depth of four fen, and (the needle) is retained for a duration of three exhalations" (Huangfu Mi 皇甫謐, 3rd Century, Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing 針灸甲乙經).
Eliminates Wind
Nourishes the sea of marrow and benefits the head and neck
Calms the Shen
Superficial Innervation: Medial branches of dorsal rami of C3 - C5
Dermatome Segment: C3
One of the 36 vital points of Feng Yiyuan 馮一元 listed in the Wu Bei Zhi 武備志 (Treatise on Armament Technology) by Mao Yuanyi 茅元儀 (1621) (McCarthy, 2016, Bubishi: The Classic Manual of Combat).
Considered by Zhongwu Sports to be one of the eight non-striking or forbidden points in Northern Praying Mantis Kung Fu (Zhongwu Sports, 2018, Chinese martial arts "eight hits and eight don't hits"), instead of Du-1 as other sources state (Olson (2010, The Complete Guide to Northern Praying Mantis Kung Fu; Wong Honfan, 1946, in Ravenswood Academy, 2020, The Eight Forbidden Strikes of Praying Mantis Fist). Both draw from the Chinese "Weilu Fengfu" (tail valley wind palace) and so a more likely answer may mean the entire spine from the "Tail Valley" to the "Wind Palace" referring to this point by name. Damaging the spine anywhere will certainly lead to severe disability or death.
See Montaigue, Dim Mak Locations, Taijiworld.com for explanation of effects.
An important point for eliminating all types of wind, internal and external, and treating disorders of the head such as headache and psychological issues. This latter is due to the Daoist notion of the brain (niwan or muddy pellet) being the seat of intelligence and residence of the spirit as well as the Heart which was a more popular notion in medical texts (Deadman et al, 2001).
The uppermost semispinalis capitis posterior cervical trigger point lies about a cun lateral to this point at the base of the occiput (Travell & Simons, 1998, Trigger Point Manual)
This point is also on the 3rd trajectory of the Chong mai connecting the Chong with the Du for Invigorating Yang in cases of Bi Obstruction due to Blood Stagnation (Yuen, 2005, The Extraordinary Vessels).
Ling Shu Ch. 2, The Roots of the Acupuncture Points, lists this point along with 9 others, with no indications for their use. This chapter later became the origin of the "Window of Heaven" points, although this name was not given until modern times.
Ling Shu Ch. 23, On Heat Diseases, gives a different list of points for the "59 Piercings" to Su Wen Ch. 61 which includes a point on the nape that most likely means this point.
Ling Shu Ch. 79, On the Dew of the Year, makes reference to this point with regards to malaria. However, Qi Bo's understanding is that Fengfu is not a permanent designation but rather the place where evil Qi enters and battles with the Wei Qi wherever that may be.
Shang Han Lun Ch. 1, Taiyang diseases, line 24, advises using this point and Fengchi GB-20 if the patient has taken Gui Zhi Tang and remains vexed with the exterior unresolved. These two points are needled and Gui Zhi Tang is administered again. This is presumably due to their being on the Yang Wei Mai which is connected with inability to send Yang to protect the exterior.
The combination of Fengfu Du-16 and Fengchi GB-20 is sometimes referred to as the "Three Winds" (Dong, 2020).
Jeffrey Yuen (2005, 3 Spirits & 7 Souls) places this point along with Baihui Du-20 and Yintang as the three points where the three spirits reside: Shen, Hun and Po, in the Jing Shen Shi Jie (World of Jing and Shen).
Fengfu Du-16 being in a tucked away location and close to the lower brain that controls our base bodily functions, most likely represents the Po which is more Yin than the Hun or Shen. The Hun is produced from the Po then merges with it to form the Shen.
Ghost Points:
The second trinity of ghost points, consisting of this point Daling Pc-7 and Shenmai Bl-62, is concerned with the ghost trying to get you to search for the remnants of its past, either by dreamwork or literally going to places and seeking people it longs for. This is the most Yang phase of possession with many signs of Wind and Heat leading to agitation, uncontrollable movement and outbursts. Other common symptoms of this stage include upward staring and sleepwalking.
As a Ghost Point the name for this point, Guizhen, Ghost Pillow, represents the stage where dreams coming from the ghost begin to interfere with the person's memory making them unable to recall events in their life or recalling events that never happened and defending them rigidly.
This point is needled with the Zheng Dong technique, to "rattle" the needle as if to shake someone into waking up (Yuen, 2005, 3 Spirits & 7 Souls).
In the Twelve Branches the Ghost Points follow a cycle from top to bottom with this point representing Chou, 丑 and the Liver channel (Ayal, 2021, The 13 Ghost Points 十三鬼穴).
In Master Tung's system the uppermost point of the Seven Stars (Xi Qing, DT.03) overlaps with this point, being located 0.8 cun above the posterior hairline. The others do not correspond to conventional points and are located 1 cun and 2 cun below this, and then 0.8 cun lateral to the middle point and 1 cun lateral to the lowest point. They are pricked to allow a small drop of blood in instances of nausea and vomiting, common cold, headache and high fever in children (McCann, 2014, Pricking the Vessels).
The point Zong Shu (1010.07), Chief Pivot, is located close to this point, 0.8 cun above the posterior hairline, between this point and Yamen Du-15. It is indicated for indicated for aphasia, neck pain, palpitations with weakness of the limbs and Sudden Turmoil with vomiting and diarrhoea (eLotus, 2022).
Among the Du Mai points of the head, this point's position at the base of the skull and its action of nourishing the Marrow and indications for various types of Wind damage, gives it a particular association with the Kidneys, Bladder, Shaoyin and Taiyang Divisions, and Water element.
Lad and Durve (2008) in Marma Points of Ayurveda call this point Manyamula and associate it with the doshas: Prana Vayu, Samana Vayu, Apana Vayu, Sadhaka Pitta, Tarpaka Kapha, Pachaka Pitta and Ranjaka Pitta.
They give the following functions:
- Enhances blood circulation and circulation of cerebrospinal fluid
- Enhances lymphatic circulation
- Relieves neck tension and headaches
- Improves coordination and equilibrium
- Stimulates agni (digestive fire) of stomach and pancreas
They locate two more points slightly to either side called Vidhuram and associate them with Prana Vayu, Udana Vayu, Tarpaka Kapha, Alochaka Pitta and Ranjaka Pitta.
They give these the following functions:
- Promotes tarpaka kapha health and function
- Relieves headaches and neck pain
- Relieves meningeal irritation
- Reduces stress
- Regulates rakta dhatu (blood)
- Benefits liver and spleen
- Benefits eyes
In Thai massage:
Acupressure point along the central Itha and Pingala sen line of head running from this point to the glabella, Yintang where it branches to the to nostrils, Yingxiang L.I. 20.
Indicated for headache, hypertension, neck and shoulder pain/injury/arthritis and stress.
(Salguero & Roylance, 2011, Encyclopedia of Thai Massage).
Farrow (2007) claims Naohu Du-17 and Yamen Du-15 to be the location of Chokmah or wisdom. Presumably this point would, located between them, would be too. (Farrow, 2007, The Psychology of the Body).
Basic information on location, needle depth, TCM actions, indications and combinations is taken from Deadman et al (2001): A Manual of Acupuncture with additional anatomical information researched by reference to Gray's Anatomy (38th Ed., 1995) unless otherwise referenced. Images were found on acupunctureschoolonline.com and can be traced back to Claudia Focks (2008) Atlas of Acupuncture originally. I cannot claim any credit or rights over them. Other sources should be quoted in the text.
For some of the more unusual terms I have created a glossary here
Steve Woodley Acupuncture & Traditional Medicine
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Eascote, Pinner, Greater London. HA5 1SP
Tel/WhatsApp: +44 (0) 7946 174 829
Email: steve@steve-woodley.co.uk
