DU12 (Shenzhu, “Shenzhu”) 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 third thoracic vertebra (T3). It calms the spirit, extinguishes internal wind, tonifies the Lung, clears heat, and strengthens the spine.
On the posterior midline, in the depression below the spinous process of the third thoracic vertebra (T3).
Slightly superior oblique insertion, 0.5 to 1.0 cun. Deep insertion carries a risk of puncturing the spinal canal.
Calms the spirit, extinguishes internal wind, tonifies the Lung, clears heat, and strengthens the spine.
Epilepsy, convulsions (especially in children), mania with desire to kill, manic running, delirious speech, seeing ghosts, fright, unhappiness, spinal rigidity with opisthotonos, head pain, body heat, infantile fright epilepsy, wind epilepsy, aversion to people and fire, cough, back pain.
Shenzhu is a primary point for treating epilepsy, convulsions, and severe mental-emotional disorders like mania, especially when characterized by wind and heat. Its name 'Body Pillar' also highlights its importance for spinal stiffness and pain. It is a key point in pediatrics for treating infantile convulsions and fright epilepsy, often with moxibustion.
Classical text; the translation was prepared with AI and is not clinical advice.
《針方六集》 Zhēnfāng Liùjí — Six Collections on Needling, Wu Kun, 1618 · 卷之五·紛署集 · 背自第一椎循督脈行至脊骶凡十三穴第七 · Source: jicheng.tw ↗
身柱一穴，主腰脊痛，癲癇瘛瘲，妄見妄言，咳嗽哮喘，小兒驚癇The text records that DU12 was used for lumbar and spinal pain, epilepsy with convulsions, seeing and saying wild things, cough and wheezing, and fright epilepsy in children.
《針灸甲乙經》 Zhēnjiǔ Jiǎyǐ Jīng — Systematic Classic of Acupuncture & Moxibustion, c. 256–282 · 卷03 · Source: Wikisource ↗
身柱，在第三椎節下間，督脈氣所發，俯而取之，刺入五分，留五呼，灸三壯。According to this text, DU12 lies between the 3rd vertebral segments, where the qi of the governor vessel emerges, located bending forward; needling is 0.5 cun retained for five breaths, with 3 moxa cones.
《黃帝明堂灸經》 Huángdì Míngtáng Jiǔjīng — The Yellow Emperor's Bright Hall Moxibustion Classic, Tang · 卷中 · 揹人形第三 · Source: jicheng.tw ↗
身柱 一穴，在第三椎下間宛宛中，灸三壯。 主癲狂瘛瘲，怒欲殺人，狂走見鬼。 秦承祖明堂云：主小兒驚癇也According to this text, DU12 lies in the small hollow below the 3rd vertebra and receives 3 moxa cones; it records use for mania with convulsions, rage with urge to kill, running about madly and seeing ghosts, and, citing Qin Chengzu's Mingtang, for fright epilepsy in children.
《醫學綱目·刺灸》 Yīxué Gāngmù · Cìjiǔ — Outline of Medicine: Needling and Moxibustion, Lou Ying, 1565 · 卷之八·陰陽臟腑部 · 穴法下 · Source: jicheng.tw ↗
身柱一穴，在第三椎節骨下，俯而取之，督脈氣所發。 針入五分，灸七壯According to this text, DU12 lies below the 3rd vertebral segment, located bending forward, where the qi of the governor vessel emerges; needle insertion is 0.5 cun, with 7 moxa cones.
DU12 is one of 28 points on the Governing Vessel Meridian. Nearby points:
DU12 (Shenzhu) is located on the posterior midline, in the depression below the spinous process of the third thoracic vertebra (T3).
DU12 calms the spirit, extinguishes internal wind, tonifies the Lung, clears heat, and strengthens the spine. Common clinical indications include epilepsy, convulsions (especially in children), mania with desire to kill, manic running, delirious speech, seeing ghosts, fright, unhappiness, spinal rigidity with opisthotonos, head pain, body heat, infantile fright epilepsy, wind epilepsy, aversion to people and fire, cough, back pain.
Slightly superior oblique insertion, 0.5 to 1.0 cun. Deep insertion carries a risk of puncturing the spinal canal.
DU12 is a point on the Governing Vessel Meridian (Dū Mài).