5 The Eight Extraordinary Vessels (qi jing ba mai) with PointsLocation
At the junction of a line connecting the apices of the ears and the
midline, 5 cun from the anterior or 7 cun from the posterior hair-
line respectively.How to find
Spreading hands technique (➞2.3.3): Place the hands on both
sides of the head, with the little fingers touching the apices of the
ears. Join the thumbs on the midline and locate Du-20in shallow
depression on the vertex of the head (alternative location
method: use an elastic tape, with the midpoint marked on it).
The symbolic counterpart to Du-20(as the highest point on the
body and in contact with heaven) is ➞KID-1, the lowest part of
the body and in contact with the earth.Needling
0.5–1 cun transversely (subcutaneously) towards the posterior
(reducing effect) or the anterior (tonifying effect). Caution:
Apply pressure to head points after needle removal to avoid
bleeding. Remember to remove the needle after treatment.Actions/Indications
● Calms Wind, pacifies Yang, benefits the Brain and sensory
organs, calms the shen
● Nourishes the Sea of Marrow; applying moxibustion raises
the YangSpecial features
Meeting point with the BL, G.B., T.B. and LIV channels; Sea of
Marrow point. Important point for descending the Yang (reduc-
ing needle techniques) or raising the Yang (tonifying needle
techniques, moxibustion).Du-20 Hundred Meetings BAIHUI
Little fingers
on the apices
of the ear Du-20Little fingers
on the apices
of the earAnterior hairlineDu-205 cunApex of the ear Apex of the ear5 cun7 cun7 cun
to posterior
hairlineApex of the ear Apex of the earDu-20MidlineKID-1Ch05b-F10028.qxd 2/22/08 9:55 PM Page 518