Governing Vessel
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DU-13
Safety Warnings
- Dangerous point - requires extra caution
- Deep needling contraindicated - shallow insertion only
Needle Depth
0.5–1.0 cun
Needle Angle
45° (Oblique)
Body Area
Back — Upper (Thoracic), Neck — Posterior
Location
On the back midline, in the depression below the spinous process of the 1st thoracic vertebra (T1).
Main Actions
- Clears Heat
- Regulates the Governing Vessels
Indications
Commentary
Taodao DU-13 is mostly used to clear Heat, especially during the Lesser Yang Stage of the Six Stage theory. The typical manifestations are malaria and alternation of feeling cold and hot.
It is also able to regulate Governing Vessels, so as to ease spine stiffness, heaviness of the head, visual dizziness, clonic spasm, agitation and fullness, sadness and disorientation.
Classical Sources
Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing (针灸甲乙经): "Taodao is located below the spinous process of the first thoracic vertebra, on the posterior midline." First detailed anatomical reference to this point.
Zhenjiu Dacheng (针灸大成): Lists Taodao among the 27 Du Mai points in the Du Mai song: "神道身柱陶道长" (Shendao, Shenzhu, Taodao are in sequence). Indicates its role in the channel progression.
Systematic Classic of Acupuncture: Describes Taodao as the meeting point of the Du Mai and Foot Taiyang (Bladder) channel, emphasizing its role in clearing heat and treating febrile diseases.
How to Locate
Firstly locate C6 by running the finger down the neck along the midline as it is the first palpable cervical vertebral spinous process. It becomes impalpable when the patients extend their neck. C7 is below C6 and it is still palpable despite that the neck is extended. Then from C7, count down 1 spinous processes and locate T1. Taodao DU-13 is in the depression below T1.
Caution
The spinal canal lies approximately 1.25-1.75 cun deep to the skin surface depending on body build. Always needle obliquely upward (toward the head) rather than perpendicular to avoid puncturing the spinal canal. Have the patient flex their back during needling to open the intervertebral spaces. Avoid deep perpendicular insertion which risks spinal cord injury.
Needle Angle
45° (Oblique)
Depth Category
Shallow
Standard Depth
0.5–1.0 cun
Needling Directions
0.3–1 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 persons (irrespective of their body weight), the spinal canal may be reached after only 1.25 cun.
Expected Deqi Sensation
Local distention and soreness, often extending downward toward both shoulders. Some patients experience warmth spreading along the upper back.
Moxibustion
Recommended
Duration: 5–15 minutes
Cupping
Recommended
Bloodletting
Questionable
Gua Sha
Recommended
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