DU17 (Naohu, “Naohu”) is the Meeting point of Du and Bladder meridians point of the Governing Vessel Meridian. It is located on the posterior midline of the head, in the depression superior to the external occipital protuberance, 2.5 cun above the posterior hairline and 1.5 cun above GV16 (Fengfu). It calms the spirit, clears the mind, alleviates pain, and benefits the eyes and neck.
On the posterior midline of the head, in the depression superior to the external occipital protuberance, 2.5 cun above the posterior hairline and 1.5 cun above GV16 (Fengfu).
Subcutaneous insertion, 0.3 to 0.5 cun. Deep insertion is strictly contraindicated due to the location over the cisterna magna.
Calms the spirit, clears the mind, alleviates pain, and benefits the eyes and neck.
Headache, head heaviness, head and neck pain, pain extending to the vertex, dizziness, eye pain, yellow eyes, facial pain, goiter, epilepsy, madness, convulsions, stiff neck, inability to turn the head, aversion to cold, fever.
Naohu is a powerful point for conditions affecting the brain and spirit, such as epilepsy, mania, and severe headache, particularly in the occipital region. Its location at the 'Door of the Brain' and its meeting with the Bladder channel make it effective for wind-related disorders and pain along the entire posterior midline. However, due to the extreme cautions in classical texts regarding its potential dangers, it is used with great care in modern practice, typically with shallow, subcutaneous needling.
Classical text; the translation was prepared with AI and is not clinical advice.
《普濟方·針灸門》 Pǔjì Fāng · Zhēnjiǔ Mén — Formulas for Universal Relief: Acupuncture & Moxibustion Section, Zhu Su, 1406 · 卷四百十四 · 針灸門 · 偃伏第二行左右十四穴 · Source: jicheng.tw ↗
腦戶在強間後一寸半。 傍一寸三分起肉枕骨。 入髮際上三寸。 灸三壯。 主頭重如石According to this text, DU17 lies 1.5 cun behind DU18, 1.3 cun beside (the raised flesh) on the occipital bone, 3 cun into the hairline; it receives 3 moxa cones and was used for a head as heavy as stone.
《針灸大成》 Zhēnjiǔ Dàchéng — Great Compendium of Acupuncture & Moxibustion, 1601 · 卷九 · Source: Wikisource ↗
腦戶（一名合顱）枕骨上，強間後一寸半，足太陽督脈之會。According to this text, DU17 (also called Helu) lies on the occipital bone, 1.5 cun behind DU18, and is a meeting point of foot taiyang and the governor vessel.
《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 ↗
腦戶一穴，在枕骨上強間後一寸五分，足太陽督脈之會。 禁不可針，灸七壯According to this text, DU17 lies on the occipital bone 1.5 cun behind DU18, a meeting point of foot taiyang and the governor vessel; it states that needling is forbidden and gives 7 moxa cones.
《類經》 Lèijīng — Classified Canon, Zhang Jiebin, 1624 · 二十二卷·针刺类 · 六十四、刺害 · Source: Wikisource ↗
脑户，督脉穴，在枕骨上，通于脑中。 脑为髓海，乃元阳精气之所聚，针入脑则真气泄，故立死。This commentary states that DU17, a governor-vessel point on the occipital bone, connects with the brain; since the brain is the sea of marrow where original yang essence gathers, a needle entering the brain lets true qi escape and is said to cause immediate death.
DU17 is one of 28 points on the Governing Vessel Meridian. Nearby points:
DU17 (Naohu) is located on the posterior midline of the head, in the depression superior to the external occipital protuberance, 2.5 cun above the posterior hairline and 1.5 cun above GV16 (Fengfu).
DU17 calms the spirit, clears the mind, alleviates pain, and benefits the eyes and neck. Common clinical indications include headache, head heaviness, head and neck pain, pain extending to the vertex, dizziness, eye pain, yellow eyes, facial pain, goiter, epilepsy, madness, convulsions, stiff neck, inability to turn the head, aversion to cold, fever.
Subcutaneous insertion, 0.3 to 0.5 cun. Deep insertion is strictly contraindicated due to the location over the cisterna magna. Caution: The classics contain severe warnings against needling and moxibustion. The Suwen and Jia Yi Jing state that deep needling entering the brain is fatal. Several sources warn that needling or moxibustion can cause muteness or loss of voice. The Zi Sheng Jing warns that even moxibustion should not be performed recklessly as it can shorten one's life.
DU17 is a point on the Governing Vessel Meridian (Dū Mài).