Atlas of Acupuncture

5.3 Du mai

Location

On the midline, below the spinous process of the 4th lumbar ver-

tebra (L4).

How to find

For orientation in the lumbar region (➞3.4.3), first, locate the

Tuffier’s line (a line connecting the two most superior points on the

iliac crest), which generally intersects with the spinous process of

L4. (Note: Point location in the lumbar region is dependent on the

patient’s position; for more detail on orientation ➞3.4). Locate

Du-3on the midline, below the spinous process of L4.

Located on the same level are a point of ➞Ex-B-2/BL-25/

Ex-B-6/Ex-B-7(0.5/1.5/3/3.5 cun lateral to the midline).

Needling

0.5–1 cun strictly vertically to the skin or obliquely in an inferior

direction (generally, there is only danger of accidental puncture

of the spinal canal from the level of L2 in a cranial direction).

Actions/Indications

● Dispels Wind, Cold and Dampness

● Regulates Qi in the Lower Burner, strengthens the Original

Qi (yuan qi)

Special features

Important local point for combined back and leg pain

Lumbar Yang Gate YAOYANGGUAN Du-3

Level of the

iliac crests Spinous process C4

Spinous process C5

Du-3

Spinous process C3

Spinous process C2

Spinous process C1

Level of L4

Level of the iliac crests

Du-3

Spinous

Level of process L4

the iliac

crests

BL-23

BL-52

Du- 4

Tuffier's line

Midline

BL-25

Spinous process L1

Spinous process L2

(dependent on

patient position)

Level of the

iliac crests
L4

Level of the

iliac crests

Ex-B-6

Spinous process L4

Spinous process L3

Spinous process L2

Spinous process L1

Ex-B-2

(parts)

Spinous process L3

Level of theSpinous process L4

iliac crests Ex-B-7

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