DU6 (Jizhong, “Jizhong”) is an acupuncture point on the Governing Vessel Meridian. It is located on the posterior midline, in the depression below the spinous process of the eleventh thoracic vertebra (T11). It fortifies the Spleen and Stomach, regulates the intestines, strengthens the spine.
On the posterior midline, in the depression below the spinous process of the eleventh thoracic vertebra (T11).
Slightly superior oblique insertion, 0.5 to 1.0 cun. Deep insertion toward the spinal canal is strictly forbidden.
Fortifies the Spleen and Stomach, regulates the intestines, strengthens the spine.
Abdominal fullness, inability to eat, jaundice, infantile malnutrition with prolapsed rectum, spinal pain, spinal stiffness, dysentery, hemorrhoids with bleeding, epilepsy, clonic spasm, eye pain, pain in the spinal channel, lassitude, shortness of breath, diarrhea, undigested food in stool.
Jizhong is a key point for digestive disorders stemming from Spleen deficiency, particularly abdominal fullness, poor appetite, and chronic diarrhea. Its location opposite the Spleen makes it a direct point for tonifying the middle jiao from the back. While historically used for a range of conditions including epilepsy and jaundice, its primary modern application is for digestive and intestinal issues. The strong classical contraindication against moxibustion is noteworthy, though some later texts do recommend it for specific conditions like hemorrhoids.
Classical text; the translation was prepared with AI and is not clinical advice.
《針灸甲乙經》 Zhēnjiǔ Jiǎyǐ Jīng — Systematic Classic of Acupuncture & Moxibustion, c. 256–282 · 卷11 · Source: Wikisource ↗
黃癉，（《千金》云︰腹滿不欲食）刺脊中The text records that for yellow jaundice (the Qianjin adds abdominal fullness with no desire to eat), DU6 is needled.
《針灸資生經》 Zhēnjiǔ Zīshēng Jīng — Classic of Nourishing Life with Acupuncture & Moxibustion, 1220 · Source: Wikisource ↗
脊中 一名神宗．在十一椎節下間．俯而取之．禁灸．灸令人腰背傴僂．針五分According to this text, DU6 (also called Shenzong) lies between the segments below the 11th vertebra, located bending forward; it states that moxa is forbidden because it makes the lower back hunched, and gives needling of 0.5 cun.
《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 ↗
脊中（一名神宗。 一名脊俞） 在十一椎下俯而取之。 （針五分禁灸灸令人僂）治風癇癲邪。 五痔積聚下痢小兒脫肛可灸三壯According to this text, DU6 lies below the 11th vertebra, located bending forward; it gives needling 0.5 cun with moxa forbidden as it makes one hunched, and records use for wind epilepsy and mania, haemorrhoids, accumulations and diarrhoea, adding that for rectal prolapse in children 3 moxa cones may be applied.
《千金翼方》 Qiānjīn Yìfāng — Supplement to the Thousand Gold Prescriptions, c. 682 · 卷27 · Source: Wikisource ↗
久冷五痔便血，灸脊中百壯The text records that for long-standing cold, the five kinds of haemorrhoids and bloody stools, 100 moxa cones were applied at DU6.
DU6 is one of 28 points on the Governing Vessel Meridian. Nearby points:
DU6 (Jizhong) is located on the posterior midline, in the depression below the spinous process of the eleventh thoracic vertebra (T11).
DU6 fortifies the Spleen and Stomach, regulates the intestines, strengthens the spine. Common clinical indications include abdominal fullness, inability to eat, jaundice, infantile malnutrition with prolapsed rectum, spinal pain, spinal stiffness, dysentery, hemorrhoids with bleeding, epilepsy, clonic spasm, eye pain, pain in the spinal channel, lassitude, shortness of breath, diarrhea, undigested food in stool.
Slightly superior oblique insertion, 0.5 to 1.0 cun. Deep insertion toward the spinal canal is strictly forbidden. Caution: Multiple classics, including the 'Jia Yi Jing', 'Zhen Jiu Ju Ying', and 'Qian Jin Yao Fang', state that moxibustion is forbidden as it can cause a stooped back or flaccidity. The 'Zhen Jiu Ju Ying' quotes the 'Su Wen' warning that needling into the spinal marrow can cause a stooped back, advising caution during needling. Deep insertion risks puncturing the spinal cord.
DU6 is a point on the Governing Vessel Meridian (Dū Mài).