DU14 Dazhui

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

DU14 (Dazhui, “Dazhui”) is the Meeting of the Du Mai with the six yang channels point of the Governing Vessel Meridian. It is located on the posterior midline, in the depression below the spinous process of the seventh cervical vertebra (C7). This is the most prominent vertebra at the base of the neck when the head is flexed forward. It releases the exterior and dispels pathogenic factors, clears heat and calms internal wind, tonifies Yang and strengthens the body, treats malarial disorders, resolves phlegm and dissipates nodules.

Location

On the posterior midline, in the depression below the spinous process of the seventh cervical vertebra (C7). This is the most prominent vertebra at the base of the neck when the head is flexed forward.

Needling

Insert perpendicularly with a slight superior inclination, 0.5 to 1.0 cun in depth. Deep insertion towards the spinal canal is contraindicated.

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TCM functions

Releases the exterior and dispels pathogenic factors, clears heat and calms internal wind, tonifies Yang and strengthens the body, treats malarial disorders, resolves phlegm and dissipates nodules..

Indications

Malignant goiter qi, back sores, initial stage of cold damage (shang han), epidemic heat toxin, neck stiffness and pain, dizziness, a sensation of fullness or hardness below the heart, fever, aversion to cold, lack of sweating, convulsions, opisthotonos, shivering, malarial disorders with alternating fever and chills, vexation and fullness, cough, shortness of breath, heat in the bones, dry front teeth, wind-labor, consumption from food, tidal fever, epilepsy, mania, aversion to people and fire, mental confusion and unhappiness, headache, heaviness of the head, dim vision, thoracic oppression, restlessness, inability to stand for long, body feeling unsettled on a mat..

Meeting of the Du Mai with the six yang channels

Clinical notes

As the meeting point of all yang channels, Dazhui is the primary point for clearing heat and releasing the exterior, making it essential for treating febrile diseases, influenza, and the common cold, especially with symptoms of high fever, aversion to cold, and neck stiffness. Its ability to clear heat from the entire body also makes it effective for various skin conditions like boils, carbuncles, and urticaria. Moxibustion on Dazhui is a classical method for tonifying yang qi, fortifying defensive qi, and preventing illness.

On the Governing Vessel channel

DU14 is one of 28 points on the Governing Vessel Meridian. Nearby points:

Frequently asked questions

Where is DU14 located?

DU14 (Dazhui) is located on the posterior midline, in the depression below the spinous process of the seventh cervical vertebra (C7). This is the most prominent vertebra at the base of the neck when the head is flexed forward.

What is DU14 used for?

DU14 releases the exterior and dispels pathogenic factors, clears heat and calms internal wind, tonifies Yang and strengthens the body, treats malarial disorders, resolves phlegm and dissipates nodules. Common clinical indications include malignant goiter qi, back sores, initial stage of cold damage (shang han), epidemic heat toxin, neck stiffness and pain, dizziness, a sensation of fullness or hardness below the heart, fever, aversion to cold, lack of sweating, convulsions, opisthotonos, shivering, malarial disorders with alternating fever and chills, vexation and fullness, cough, shortness of breath, heat in the bones, dry front teeth, wind-labor, consumption from food, tidal fever, epilepsy, mania, aversion to people and fire, mental confusion and unhappiness, headache, heaviness of the head, dim vision, thoracic oppression, restlessness, inability to stand for long, body feeling unsettled on a mat.

How is DU14 needled?

Insert perpendicularly with a slight superior inclination, 0.5 to 1.0 cun in depth. Deep insertion towards the spinal canal is contraindicated. Caution: The Wai Tai Mi Yao notes a caution against excessive moxibustion for hemiplegia, as it may cause the arms to become thin, though this concern is waived for wind diseases. Deep needling is prohibited to avoid injuring the spinal cord.

Which meridian is DU14 on?

DU14 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.