DU11 Shendao

Reviewed by · Licensed Acupuncturist & TCM Physician · Last reviewed June 2026

DU11 (Shendao, “Shendao”) 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 fifth thoracic vertebra (T5). It calms the spirit (Shen), clears heat, pacifies wind, and unbinds the chest.

Location

On the posterior midline, in the depression below the spinous process of the fifth thoracic vertebra (T5).

Needling

Slightly superior oblique insertion, 0.5 to 1.0 cun. Deep insertion towards the spinal canal is strictly forbidden.

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TCM functions

Calms the spirit (Shen), clears heat, pacifies wind, and unbinds the chest..

Indications

Body heat with headache that comes and goes, shoulder and back pain, infantile wind epilepsy and convulsions, fright palpitations, forgetfulness, sorrow and melancholy, trance-like states, malaria, fullness in the chest, upper-qi (shortness of breath/cough), spinal rigidity, inability to turn the head, cardiac pain, chills and fever..

Clinical notes

Shendao is a crucial point for calming the spirit, located directly posterior to the Heart. Its indications for fright palpitations, forgetfulness, sorrow, and epilepsy highlight its role in treating shen disturbances rooted in the Heart. It is also effective for clearing heat, as shown by its use for fevers and headaches, and for relieving local tension, such as chest fullness and back pain.

On the Governing Vessel channel

DU11 is one of 28 points on the Governing Vessel Meridian. Nearby points:

DU7DU8DU9DU10DU12DU13DU14DU15

Frequently asked questions

Where is DU11 located?

DU11 (Shendao) is located on the posterior midline, in the depression below the spinous process of the fifth thoracic vertebra (T5).

What is DU11 used for?

DU11 calms the spirit (Shen), clears heat, pacifies wind, and unbinds the chest. Common clinical indications include body heat with headache that comes and goes, shoulder and back pain, infantile wind epilepsy and convulsions, fright palpitations, forgetfulness, sorrow and melancholy, trance-like states, malaria, fullness in the chest, upper-qi (shortness of breath/cough), spinal rigidity, inability to turn the head, cardiac pain, chills and fever.

How is DU11 needled?

Slightly superior oblique insertion, 0.5 to 1.0 cun. Deep insertion towards the spinal canal is strictly forbidden. Caution: Several classical sources, including the Zhen Jiu Ju Ying and Zhen Jiu Da Cheng, state that this point is forbidden to needle. The spinal canal is located deep to this point, so deep or perpendicular needling is contraindicated.

Which meridian is DU11 on?

DU11 is a point on the Governing Vessel Meridian (Dū Mài).

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⚠️ This page is for general education and is not medical advice. Acupuncture is a traditional practice; evidence varies by condition and study quality, and individual results differ. It does not replace diagnosis or treatment by a licensed professional. Always consult a qualified acupuncturist or physician.