Atlas of Acupuncture

5 The Eight Extraordinary Vessels (qi jing ba mai) with Points

Location

On the midline, below the spinous process of the 6th thoracic

vertebra (T6).

How to find

Locate T7 (➞3.4.2). Du-10is located on the midline, below the

spinous process of the T6. Or:Locate C7 (➞3.4.1). Du-10can

then be located by counting down 6 spinous processes (T1–T6).

Located on the same level are a point of ➞Ex-B-2/BL-16/

BL-45(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

● Harmonises the Upper Burner

● Clears Heat and Fire toxins

Du-10 Spirit Tower LINGTAI

Du-10

Spinous process C7

Midline

Spinous process T3

Spinous process T7

Base of the

scapular spine

Inferior

angle

Spinous process T6

15

17

18

20

14

12

8

49 6

47

46

44

42

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

10

11

12

S.I.-12

S.I.-10

11 13

13

11

9

S.I.-15

Ex-B-3

Inferior

Spinous process T7 BL-16 angle

Spinous process T6

3 cun

Inferior

angle

BL-45

Spinous process T7

Spinous process T6

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