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Location Guides: |
Meeting of Governing Vessel with Bladder, Stomach and the Broken Line (Duan Xian) 斷線)
At the top of the head on the midline, 0.5 posterior to the anterior hairline and 0.5 cun anterior to Shangxing Du-23.
Transverse insertion 0.5 - 1 cun
Several classical texts suggest needling this point may damage the eyesight or cause mania (Deadman et al, 2001)
"It is prohibited to needling as it may cause madness and loss of the essence in the eye, but it may be moxaed with three cones" (Huangfu Mi 皇甫謐, 3rd Century, Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing 針灸甲乙經).
Benefits the brain and calms the Shen
Eliminates Wind and benefits the head
Benefits the nose and upper eyes
Superficial Innervation: Ophthalamic branch of trigeminal nerve (CN V1)
Dermatome Segment: CN V1 ophthalamic branch of trigeminal
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). Also listed in Article 21: Delayed Death Touches with Twelve-Hour (Shichen 時辰) Diagrams. This point, along with Taichong Liv-3, Tianding LI-17, Shenque Ren-8 and Shenmai Bl-62, are associated with Chou 丑 Ox (1 - 3 am) and if struck during this time is said to cause death within 14 days from trauma to the anterior temporal maxillary artery (McCarthy, 2016, Bubishi: The Classic Manual of Combat).
This is not generally a point that is struck as it is where the skull is thickest. Hence, its main martial application is to be area used to strike with in a headbutt and aimed at softer structures like the eyes, cheeks, temples, nose, mouth or jaw, or used a means to block punches, especially in bare knuckle fighting because the forehead is much stronger than the bones of the hand so can cause considerably more damage to the opponent's hand (Kesting, 2019).
This is one reason why Chinese martial arts have a guard with one hand forward, similar to old western bare knuckle boxers: both would tend to aim for body shots because of the risk of fracturing the hand with a head shot, so they did not need to guard the head so much (Jeffries, 2022). Instead, they would extend one hand forward to keep out of range of powerful blows to the head like elbows and headbutts, and to defend against grappling or rapidly enter a clinch for "dirty boxing" (Dewey, 2021). Moreover, many Chinese styles would use open hand strikes to the head where they could grab, gouge or pull. These kinds of strikes are illegal in modern competitions, thus shaping the modern boxing guard.
See Montaigue, Dim Mak Locations, Taijiworld.com for explanation of effects.
In Daoist tradition this point is said to directly access the brain (niwan, muddy pellet) and therefore have a strong effect of psychological disorders.
This point along with Baihui Du-20, Qianding Du-21, Xinhui Du-22, Shangxing Du-23 and Yintang connect with the frontal brain concerned with differentiation of experiences and is associated with the Liver, Pericardium and Yang channels (Yuen, 1995, The Curious Organs, taken from class notes by Avi Magidoff).
The Broken Line (Xiuming Xian 修命線) is an internal line used in inner cultivation arts (Neigong Shu 內功術) that connects this point with the front genitalia at Qugu Ren-2. It is called broken because it runs in straight line with two breaks, the first underneath the eyebrows and above the palate of the mouth, the second at the throat from Lianquan Ren-23 and Xuanji Ren-21 which is called the Twelve Storied Tower (Wang, 2019, Daoist Internal Mastery ).
Jin's Three Needles for Cognition are located at this point and Benshen GB-13 and needled subcutaneously in a posterior direction. They are indicated for intellectual disability, general learning difficulties (eLotus, 2021).
Among the Du Mai points of the head, this point has a particular association with mania (Yangming syndrome), the nose and eyes. Combined with its connection with the Stomach and Bladder channels, this point is especially associated with the Yangming and Taiyang Divisions.
In Mayan medicine:
Punctured in cases of China Pool headache and generally used in conjuction with Touwei St-8 and Hanyan GB-4 (Garcia, Sierra, Balam, 1999: Wind in the Blood).
Lad and Durve (2008) in Marma Points of Ayurveda locate a point 0.5 cun anterior to this point directly on the hairline called Kapala and associate it with the doshas: Tarpaka Kapha, Sadhaka Pitta and Prana Vayu.
They give the following actions:
- Relieves headaches
- Facilitates optimal function of pituitary gland
- Benefits eyes and nose
- Calms mind, balances emotions, relieves stress
In Tibetan medicine:
Moxa point (AMNH, Tibetan Medical Paintings).
In Thai massage:
Acupressure point along sen line of head running the base of the occiput Fengfu Du-16 to the glabella, Yintang where it branches to the to nostrils, Yingxiang L.I. 20.
Indicated for fatigue, headache and psychological ailments.
(Salguero & Roylance, 2011, Encyclopedia of Thai Massage)
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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