The Governing Vessel (Du Mai) runs along the midline of the back. It connects with the Fourteen Meridians and the Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian, intersecting with the Conception Vessel (Ren Mai). The organs it connects primarily include the lower abdomen (including the Dan Tian (Elixir Field), lower jiao, liver, gallbladder, kidneys, and bladder), heart, brain, throat, and eyes. The Governing Vessel operates along the back of the body, symbolizing its role in overseeing the body’s yang energy. It plays a crucial role in regulating various symptoms caused by headaches, fever, and yang deficiency, making it a key regulator of yang meridian qi and blood.
Acupuncture Points Song
There are twenty-eight acupuncture points on the Governing Vessel, starting from Changqiang (Yaoshu) and ending at Yinjiao (Yinjiao).
It primarily addresses brain disorders, emergency heat illnesses, and anal conditions.
The tip of the coccyx is Changqiang, and the sacral hiatus is located at Yaoyangguan.
Yangguan (Yang Pass) is measured at sixteen cun from the hip, while Mingmen (Gate of Life) is fourteen cun from the third lumbar vertebra.
The eleventh vertebra is located in the middle of the spine, while the tenth vertebra is the center of the nine tendons.
Below the seventh vertebra is the Yang point, and the Ling Tai (Spirit Platform) and Shen Dao (Spirit Path) points are at the fifth and sixth vertebrae, respectively.
Below the third vertebra is the Shenzhu (Body Pillar) point, and the Tao Dao (Path of the Way) is located below the first vertebra.
The Da Zhui (Great Vertebra) is located at the first vertebra, and the Ya Men (Mute Gate) is five fen from the hairline.
The Feng Fu (Wind Palace) is one cun behind the midpoint, and the upper edge of the Rong (Ridge) is where the Nao Hu (Brain Door) is found.
The Qiang Jian (Strong Interval) is measured at one and a half cun above, while the top of the head is seven cun from the center.
The Qian Ding (Front Summit) is five cun from the fontanelle.
The Shang Xing (Upper Star) is measured at one cun from the hairline, and the Shen Ting (Spirit Court) is five fen from the hairline.
The Su Liao (Mouth of the Nose) is at the tip of the nose, and the Shui Gou (Water Ditch) is located above the philtrum.
The Dui Duan (End of the Mouth) is at the tip of the lip, and Yinjiao (Yinjiao) is at the base of the upper lip.
Meridian Pathway
Chest → Perineum → Midline of the back → Midline of the head → Upper gums.
Disease Treatment
Conditions of the head and face: headaches, dizziness, eye pain, runny nose, nosebleeds, sore throat, crooked mouth and eyes, swollen gums.
Psychological disorders: palpitations, forgetfulness, epilepsy, fainting, insomnia.
Urogenital system disorders: irregular menstruation, nocturnal emissions, impotence, enuresis.
Discomfort along the meridian: lower back pain.
Others: hemorrhoids, prolapse of the rectum.