DU18 (Qiangjian, “Qiangjian”) is an acupuncture point on the Governing Vessel Meridian. It is located on the posterior midline of the head, 1.5 cun superior to the external occipital protuberance, or 4 cun superior to the posterior hairline. This places it 1.5 cun posterior to Houding (DU19) and 3 cun posterior to Baihui (DU20). It extinguishes interior wind, calms the spirit, alleviates pain, and pacifies the stomach.
On the posterior midline of the head, 1.5 cun superior to the external occipital protuberance, or 4 cun superior to the posterior hairline. This places it 1.5 cun posterior to Houding (DU19) and 3 cun posterior to Baihui (DU20).
Transverse (subcutaneous) insertion, 0.5 to 1.0 cun, directed either anteriorly or posteriorly.
Extinguishes interior wind, calms the spirit, alleviates pain, and pacifies the stomach.
Headache, dizziness, brain-spinning vertigo, vexation of the heart, vomiting of frothy saliva, stiff neck, inability to turn the head, epilepsy with convulsions, manic running, inability to sleep, head shaking, wry mouth, mouth cannot be closed to hold water or gruel, pain as if the head is being pierced by a cone, neck feeling as if it is being pulled out, pain in the mouth.
Qiangjian is a significant point for addressing severe disturbances of the spirit and the brain, such as epilepsy, mania, and extreme dizziness. Its ability to extinguish wind and calm the spirit makes it effective for conditions involving involuntary movements like convulsions and head shaking. It also treats local symptoms like severe headache and neck stiffness, particularly when they are associated with internal wind or phlegm obstructing the orifices.
Classical text; the translation was prepared with AI and is not clinical advice.
《黃帝明堂灸經》 Huángdì Míngtáng Jiǔjīng — The Yellow Emperor's Bright Hall Moxibustion Classic, Tang · 卷中 · 揹人形第八 · Source: jicheng.tw ↗
強間 一穴，在後頂後一寸五分宛宛中。 灸三壯。 主頭痛如針刺，不可動，項如拔，左右不得顧According to this text, DU18 lies in the small hollow 1.5 cun behind DU19 and receives 3 moxa cones; it records use for headache like needle pricks with inability to move, and a neck as if pulled with inability to look left or right.
《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 ↗
強間一穴，在後頂後一寸五分，督脈氣所發。 可灸五壯，針入三分According to this text, DU18 lies 1.5 cun behind DU19, where the qi of the governor vessel emerges; it may receive 5 moxa cones and needle insertion is 0.3 cun.
《針方六集》 Zhēnfāng Liùjí — Six Collections on Needling, Wu Kun, 1618 · 卷之五·紛署集 · 頭直鼻中入髮際一寸循督脈卻行至風府凡八穴第二 · Source: jicheng.tw ↗
強間一穴，主頭風頭痛，目眩腦旋，煩心，嘔吐涎沫，項強，狂走不臥，目中冷淚The text records that DU18 was used for head wind and headache, dizziness with spinning sensation in the head, vexation, vomiting of frothy saliva, stiff neck, running about madly without sleeping, and cold tears.
DU18 is one of 28 points on the Governing Vessel Meridian. Nearby points:
DU18 (Qiangjian) is located on the posterior midline of the head, 1.5 cun superior to the external occipital protuberance, or 4 cun superior to the posterior hairline. This places it 1.5 cun posterior to Houding (DU19) and 3 cun posterior to Baihui (DU20).
DU18 extinguishes interior wind, calms the spirit, alleviates pain, and pacifies the stomach. Common clinical indications include headache, dizziness, brain-spinning vertigo, vexation of the heart, vomiting of frothy saliva, stiff neck, inability to turn the head, epilepsy with convulsions, manic running, inability to sleep, head shaking, wry mouth, mouth cannot be closed to hold water or gruel, pain as if the head is being pierced by a cone, neck feeling as if it is being pulled out, pain in the mouth.
Transverse (subcutaneous) insertion, 0.5 to 1.0 cun, directed either anteriorly or posteriorly.
DU18 is a point on the Governing Vessel Meridian (Dū Mài).