DU2 (Yaoshu, “Yaoshu”) is an acupuncture point on the Governing Vessel Meridian. It is located on the posterior midline, in the depression over the sacral hiatus, which is located below the 21st vertebra in classical counting. It strengthens the lumbar spine and legs, regulates menstruation, dispels wind and cold, resolves damp-heat.
On the posterior midline, in the depression over the sacral hiatus, which is located below the 21st vertebra in classical counting.
Superiorly oblique insertion, 0.5 to 1.0 cun, directed along the sacral canal.
Strengthens the lumbar spine and legs, regulates menstruation, dispels wind and cold, resolves damp-heat.
Lumbar and hip pain, lumbar spinal pain, inability to bend forward or backward, cold sensation and numbness in the feet, persistent heat in the four limbs from a cold-damage disorder, irregular menstruation, amenorrhea, red urine, cold-damp in the lumbar region, pain referring to the genitals, pain that makes it impossible to lie supine, warm-illness (wen malarial) with absence of sweating, foot and leg pain, hemorrhoids, diarrhea, epilepsy, mania.
Yaoshu is a primary distal point for acute and chronic lumbar pain, especially when centered over the sacrum and radiating to the legs. Its classical indications for menstrual disorders and hemorrhoids highlight its function in regulating the lower jiao. The wide variation in classical needling depths suggests that practitioners adapted their technique based on the patient's constitution and the specific condition being treated.
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 ↗
腰俞一穴，治腰脊痛不可俯仰，溫瘧無汗，足痹不仁，傷寒肢熱不已，女人月閉，溺赤The text records that DU2 was used for lumbar and spinal pain with inability to bend forward or back, warm malaria without sweating, numb, insensible legs (bi), unremitting heat of the limbs in cold damage, and in women amenorrhoea and red urine.
《針灸大成》 Zhēnjiǔ Dàchéng — Great Compendium of Acupuncture & Moxibustion, 1601 · 卷十 · Source: Wikisource ↗
腰俞 在二十一椎下宛宛中，自大椎至此折三尺，舒身以腹挺地，兩手相重支額According to this text, DU2 lies in the small hollow below the 21st vertebra, measured as 3 chi from the large vertebra; the patient stretches out lying with the abdomen pressed to the ground and the forehead resting on the two stacked hands.
《針灸甲乙經》 Zhēnjiǔ Jiǎyǐ Jīng — Systematic Classic of Acupuncture & Moxibustion, c. 256–282 · 卷03 · Source: Wikisource ↗
一名髓空，一名腰戶，在第二十一椎節下間，督脈氣所發，刺入三分，留七呼，灸五壯According to this text, DU2 (also called Suikong or Yaohu) lies between the segments below the 21st vertebra, where the qi of the governor vessel emerges; needling is 0.3 cun retained for seven breaths, with 5 moxa cones.
DU2 is one of 28 points on the Governing Vessel Meridian. Nearby points:
DU2 (Yaoshu) is located on the posterior midline, in the depression over the sacral hiatus, which is located below the 21st vertebra in classical counting.
DU2 strengthens the lumbar spine and legs, regulates menstruation, dispels wind and cold, resolves damp-heat. Common clinical indications include lumbar and hip pain, lumbar spinal pain, inability to bend forward or backward, cold sensation and numbness in the feet, persistent heat in the four limbs from a cold-damage disorder, irregular menstruation, amenorrhea, red urine, cold-damp in the lumbar region, pain referring to the genitals, pain that makes it impossible to lie supine, warm-illness (wen malarial) with absence of sweating, foot and leg pain, hemorrhoids, diarrhea, epilepsy, mania.
Superiorly oblique insertion, 0.5 to 1.0 cun, directed along the sacral canal. Caution: After treatment, avoid sexual activity, heavy lifting, and strenuous exertion.
DU2 is a point on the Governing Vessel Meridian (Dū Mài).