DU10 (Lingtai, “Lingtai”) is an acupuncture point on the Governing Vessel Meridian. It is located on the posterior midline, in the depression below the spinous process of the sixth thoracic vertebra (T6). It the classical texts suggest this point treats conditions of the back, digestive system, and chest, particularly addressing pain, obstruction, and heat.
On the posterior midline, in the depression below the spinous process of the sixth thoracic vertebra (T6).
Slightly superior oblique insertion, 0.5 to 1.0 cun. Deep insertion carries a risk of puncturing the spinal canal.
The classical texts suggest this point treats conditions of the back, digestive system, and chest, particularly addressing pain, obstruction, and heat.
Back pain with a sense of being pulled or restrained, five types of esophageal obstruction, jaundice, heartburn, excessive sleepiness, vomiting, goiter or nodules, cough, wheezing, inability to lie down due to shortness of breath, red urine.
Lingtai is a key point on the upper back for respiratory and digestive issues. Classically, it was noted for treating cough and wheezing, especially with moxibustion, as well as jaundice and esophageal constriction. Its location below T6 also makes it relevant for middle jiao disorders like heartburn and vomiting.
Classical text; the translation was prepared with AI and is not clinical advice.
《針灸逢源》 Zhēnjiǔ Féngyuán — Sources of Acupuncture & Moxibustion, Li Xuechuan, 1815 · 卷四 · 經穴考正 · 督脈穴考 · Source: jicheng.tw ↗
靈臺 在六椎下俯而取之。 （甲乙經無此穴出氣府論注）治氣喘不得臥According to this text, DU10 lies below the 6th vertebra and is located with the patient bending forward; it notes the point is absent from the Jiayi jing and comes from a commentary on the Qifu lun, and records use for wheezing with inability to lie down.
《類經圖翼》 Lèijīng Túyì — Illustrated Wings to the Classified Canon, Zhang Jiebin, 1624 · 卷八 · 經絡（六） · 督脈穴 · Source: jicheng.tw ↗
靈臺 在六椎節下間，俯而取之。 刺三分，灸三壯。 甲乙經無此穴，出氣府論注。 主治，今俗以灸氣喘不能臥及風冷久嗽According to this text, DU10 lies between the 6th vertebral segments, located bending forward, needled 0.3 cun with 3 moxa cones; it notes the point is absent from the Jiayi jing, and says that in common practice moxa here was used for wheezing with inability to lie down and long-standing cough from wind-cold.
《針方六集》 Zhēnfāng Liùjí — Six Collections on Needling, Wu Kun, 1618 · 卷之一·神照集 · 督脈圖穴二十 · 督脈所發二十七穴 · Source: jicheng.tw ↗
靈臺一穴，在第六椎下間。 禁不可灸，上古無主治According to this text, DU10 lies below the 6th vertebra; it states that moxa must not be applied and that antiquity recorded no indications for it.
DU10 is one of 28 points on the Governing Vessel Meridian. Nearby points:
DU10 (Lingtai) is located on the posterior midline, in the depression below the spinous process of the sixth thoracic vertebra (T6).
DU10 the classical texts suggest this point treats conditions of the back, digestive system, and chest, particularly addressing pain, obstruction, and heat. Common clinical indications include back pain with a sense of being pulled or restrained, five types of esophageal obstruction, jaundice, heartburn, excessive sleepiness, vomiting, goiter or nodules, cough, wheezing, inability to lie down due to shortness of breath, red urine.
Slightly superior oblique insertion, 0.5 to 1.0 cun. Deep insertion carries a risk of puncturing the spinal canal. Caution: One classical source explicitly forbids needling this point. Modern practice requires caution to avoid deep insertion toward the spinal canal.
DU10 is a point on the Governing Vessel Meridian (Dū Mài).