DU4 (Mingmen, “Gate of Life”) is an acupuncture point on the Governing Vessel Meridian. It is located on the midline of the lower back, in the depression below the spinous process of the second lumbar vertebra (L2). The classics locate this point below the fourteenth vertebra when counting down from the cervical spine. It tonifies the Kidney Yang, warms the Gate of Life, strengthens the lower back and knees, benefits the original qi, dispels cold, and calms convulsions.
On the midline of the lower back, in the depression below the spinous process of the second lumbar vertebra (L2). The classics locate this point below the fourteenth vertebra when counting down from the cervical spine.
Perpendicular-oblique insertion, directed slightly superiorly, 0.5 to 1.0 cun. Deep needling towards the spinal canal is contraindicated.
Tonifies the Kidney Yang, warms the Gate of Life, strengthens the lower back and knees, benefits the original qi, dispels cold, and calms convulsions.
Convulsions (tetany), internal tension, pain where the waist and abdomen pull on each other, seminal emission, infertility, miscarriage, menstrual irregularities, uterine cold, lower abdominal pain pulling to the life gate, headache, dizziness, bone soreness, spinal rigidity with opisthotonos, fear as if about to be apprehended, diarrhea, lassitude, chills, impotence.
Mingmen is a principal point for tonifying Kidney Yang and warming the body's core. It is essential for treating chronic deficiency conditions marked by cold, such as impotence, infertility, chronic diarrhea, and debilitating low back pain. Its name, Gate of Life, reflects its deep connection to the constitutional energy, making it a vital point in treatments for exhaustion and promoting longevity.
Classical text; the translation was prepared with AI and is not clinical advice.
《針灸逢源》 Zhēnjiǔ Féngyuán — Sources of Acupuncture & Moxibustion, Li Xuechuan, 1815 · 卷四 · 經穴考正 · 督脈穴考 · Source: jicheng.tw ↗
在十四椎下與臍相對伏而取之或正立用杖拄地量至臍以墨點記乃用度脊間平點處是穴（針五分。 灸三壯）治頭疼身熱如火腰痛骨蒸According to this text, DU4 lies below the 14th vertebra, opposite the navel, located lying prone; or, with the patient standing, a stick is measured from the ground to the navel, marked with ink, and the same height on the spine gives the point; it gives needling 0.5 cun and 3 moxa cones, and records use for headache, body hot as fire, lumbar pain and bone-steaming fever.
DU4 is one of 28 points on the Governing Vessel Meridian. Nearby points:
DU4 (Mingmen) is located on the midline of the lower back, in the depression below the spinous process of the second lumbar vertebra (L2). The classics locate this point below the fourteenth vertebra when counting down from the cervical spine.
DU4 tonifies the Kidney Yang, warms the Gate of Life, strengthens the lower back and knees, benefits the original qi, dispels cold, and calms convulsions. Common clinical indications include convulsions (tetany), internal tension, pain where the waist and abdomen pull on each other, seminal emission, infertility, miscarriage, menstrual irregularities, uterine cold, lower abdominal pain pulling to the life gate, headache, dizziness, bone soreness, spinal rigidity with opisthotonos, fear as if about to be apprehended, diarrhea, lassitude, chills, impotence.
Perpendicular-oblique insertion, directed slightly superiorly, 0.5 to 1.0 cun. Deep needling towards the spinal canal is contraindicated. Caution: Deep needling is contraindicated to avoid injuring the spinal cord. The classics do not list specific contraindications for this point, but its powerful warming nature suggests caution in cases of yin deficiency with heat signs.
DU4 is a point on the Governing Vessel Meridian (Dū Mài).