5 The Eight Extraordinary Vessels (qi jing ba mai) with PointsLocation
On the midline, below the spinous process of the 11th thoracic
vertebra (T11).How to find
Locate T7 (➞3.4.2) and, from there, count down 4 spinous
processes to T11. Locate Du-6on the midline, below its spinous
process. Or:Use the Tuffier’s line for reference (➞3.4.3).
Locate T11 by counting up 5 spinous processes from L4 and
there locate Du-6on the midline, below the spinous process.
Located on the same level are a point of ➞Ex-B-2/BL-20/
BL-49(0.5/1.5/3 cun lateral to the midline).Needling
0.5–1 cun strictly vertically to the skin or obliquely in an inferior
direction, with the patient’s back straight or flexed in order to
avoid puncturing the spinal canal. Oblique insertions should
only be carried out by experienced practitioners, as in small per-
sons (irrespective of their body weight), the spinal canal may be
reached after only 1.25 cun.Actions/Indications
● Strengthens the Spleen and its function of transforming
Dampness
● Benefits the spineDu-6 Centre of the Spine JIZHONG
Bladder channelSpinous process T12 BL-20Spinous process T11BL-49
Spinous process T12Spinous process T11Spinous process L3Spinous process L2Spinous process L1Ex-B-2
(parts)Du-6MidlineBase of the
scapular spineInferior
angleSpinous process C7Spinous process T3Spinous process T7Spinous process T11
Spinous process T12151718201412849 6474644421 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 910
11
12S.I.-12
S.I.-1011 1313119S.I.-15Ex-B-3Du-3Spinous
Level of process L4
the iliac
crestsBL-23
BL-52Du- 4Tuffier's lineCh05b-F10028.qxd 2/22/08 9:55 PM Page 504