Lingtai DU-10
Chinese: 灵台
Pinyin: Líng Tái
Location
On the back midline, in the depression below the spinous process of the 6th thoracic vertebra (T6).
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 6 spinous processes and locate T6. Lingtai DU-10 is in the depression below T6.
Main actions
- Clears Heat and detoxifies
- Eases cough and wheezing
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 persons (irrespective of their body weight), the spinal canal may be reached after only 1.25 cun.
Commentary for Lingtai DU-10
Lingtai DU-10 is mainly used to clear Heat and remove toxin, especially in the Spleen. It treats symptoms such as carbuncles, furuncles or clove sores. Some patients suffer from the feeling of steaming bones due to excessive physical work, which can be treated by this point as well.
On the other hand, it is also able to harmonizes the Upper Burner by easing wheezing and alleviating chronic coughing.