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Governing Vessel (Du Mai)

GV Du Mai 督脉 Yang Governor 📍 28 points ➡️ Onderrug → Hoofd 🔗 Paired with CV

Introduction & pathophysiology

The Governing Vessel (Du Mai) regulates all Yang meridians and the spinal cord. In dysfunction, we see stiff neck, back pain, headache, epilepsy, fever, and mental disorders. The 28 points run along the midline of the back, neck, and head. This is the Sea of Yang. The meridian has no specific peak hour as it regulates all Yang meridians.

Functions within TCM

1. Regulates all Yang meridians
2. Controls the spinal cord
3. Influences the brain
4. Regulates fever
5. Strengthens resistance

Clinical applications

**Neurology:** Epilepsy, stroke, headache
**Mental:** Psychosis, mania, insomnia
**Back/neck:** Stiff neck, back pain, sciatica
**Fever:** High fever, febrile seizures
**General:** Colds, flu, exhaustion

Primary dysfunction patterns

GV Qi stagnationNeck stiffness, back pain, headacheGV Yang deficiencyCold extremities, fatigueGV HeatHigh fever, convulsions, restlessnessGV Yin deficiencyDry mouth, night sweats, insomnia

Key points

GV-14Fever, cold, neck stiffnessGV-20Headache, dizziness, strokeGV-16Neck stiffness, headache, strokeGV-26Fainting, stroke, shockGV-4Low back pain, impotence, fatigue

Point selection per pattern

GV Qi stagnationGV-14, GV-20BL-10GV Yang deficiencyGV-4(moxa), GV-14(moxa)CV-4(moxa)GV HeatGV-14, GV-20LI-4, LI-11GV Yin deficiencyGV-20, KI-6CV-4, ST-36

All points of the Governing Vessel (Du Mai)

GV-1

Long and Rigid

Changqiang

📍 Along the Governing Vessel on the midline of the back, neck, head

💊 Back pain, headache, dizziness, mental disorders, epilepsy, fever, common cold

📖 View details

GV-2

Low Back Transporter

Yaoshu

📍 Along the Governing Vessel on the midline of the back, neck, head

💊 Back pain, headache, dizziness, mental disorders, epilepsy, fever, common cold

📖 View details

GV-3

Low Back Yang Passage

Yaoyangguan

📍 Along the Governing Vessel on the midline of the back, neck, head

💊 Back pain, headache, dizziness, mental disorders, epilepsy, fever, common cold

📖 View details

GV-4

Life Gate

Mingmen

📍 Along the Governing Vessel on the midline of the back, neck, head

💊 Back pain, headache, dizziness, mental disorders, epilepsy, fever, common cold

📖 View details

GV-5

Suspended Pivot

Xuanshu

📍 Along the Governing Vessel on the midline of the back, neck, head

💊 Back pain, headache, dizziness, mental disorders, epilepsy, fever, common cold

📖 View details

GV-6

Middle of the Spine

Jizhong

📍 Along the Governing Vessel on the midline of the back, neck, head

💊 Back pain, headache, dizziness, mental disorders, epilepsy, fever, common cold

📖 View details

GV-7

Central Pivot

Zhongshu

📍 Along the Governing Vessel on the midline of the back, neck, head

💊 Back pain, headache, dizziness, mental disorders, epilepsy, fever, common cold

📖 View details

GV-8

Muscle Spasm

Jinsuo

📍 Along the Governing Vessel on the midline of the back, neck, head

💊 Back pain, headache, dizziness, mental disorders, epilepsy, fever, common cold

📖 View details

GV-9

Reaching Yang

Zhiyang

📍 Along the Governing Vessel on the midline of the back, neck, head

💊 Back pain, headache, dizziness, mental disorders, epilepsy, fever, common cold

📖 View details

GV-10

Spirit Platform

Lingtai

📍 Along the Governing Vessel on the midline of the back, neck, head

💊 Back pain, headache, dizziness, mental disorders, epilepsy, fever, common cold

📖 View details

GV-11

Way of the Spirit

Shendao

📍 Along the Governing Vessel on the midline of the back, neck, head

💊 Back pain, headache, dizziness, mental disorders, epilepsy, fever, common cold

📖 View details

GV-12

Body Pillar

Shenzhu

📍 Along the Governing Vessel on the midline of the back, neck, head

💊 Back pain, headache, dizziness, mental disorders, epilepsy, fever, common cold

📖 View details

GV-13

Way of the Pot

Taodao

📍 Along the Governing Vessel on the midline of the back, neck, head

💊 Back pain, headache, dizziness, mental disorders, epilepsy, fever, common cold

📖 View details

GV-14

Great Vertebra

Dazhui

📍 Along the Governing Vessel on the midline of the back, neck, head

💊 Back pain, headache, dizziness, mental disorders, epilepsy, fever, common cold

📖 View details

GV-15

Mutism Gate

Yamen

📍 Along the Governing Vessel on the midline of the back, neck, head

💊 Back pain, headache, dizziness, mental disorders, epilepsy, fever, common cold

📖 View details

GV-16

Wind Palace

Fengfu

📍 Along the Governing Vessel on the midline of the back, neck, head

💊 Back pain, headache, dizziness, mental disorders, epilepsy, fever, common cold

📖 View details

GV-17

Brain Door

Naohu

📍 Along the Governing Vessel on the midline of the back, neck, head

💊 Back pain, headache, dizziness, mental disorders, epilepsy, fever, common cold

📖 View details

GV-18

Rigid Space

Qiangjian

📍 Along the Governing Vessel on the midline of the back, neck, head

💊 Back pain, headache, dizziness, mental disorders, epilepsy, fever, common cold

📖 View details

GV-19

Back Vertex

Houding

📍 Along the Governing Vessel on the midline of the back, neck, head

💊 Back pain, headache, dizziness, mental disorders, epilepsy, fever, common cold

📖 View details

GV-20

One Hundred Meetings

Baihui

📍 On the midline of the head, 7 cun above the posterior hairline

💊 Headache, dizziness, tinnitus, memory loss, prolapse, mental disorders

📖 View details

GV-21

Front Vertex

Qianding

📍 Along the Governing Vessel on the midline of the back, neck, head

💊 Back pain, headache, dizziness, mental disorders, epilepsy, fever, common cold

📖 View details

GV-22

Fontanelle Meeting

Xinhui

📍 Along the Governing Vessel on the midline of the back, neck, head

💊 Back pain, headache, dizziness, mental disorders, epilepsy, fever, common cold

📖 View details

GV-23

Upper Star

Shangxing

📍 Along the Governing Vessel on the midline of the back, neck, head

💊 Back pain, headache, dizziness, mental disorders, epilepsy, fever, common cold

📖 View details

GV-24

Spirit Courtyard

Shenting

📍 Along the Governing Vessel on the midline of the back, neck, head

💊 Back pain, headache, dizziness, mental disorders, epilepsy, fever, common cold

📖 View details

GV-25

Plain Space

Suliao

📍 Along the Governing Vessel on the midline of the back, neck, head

💊 Back pain, headache, dizziness, mental disorders, epilepsy, fever, common cold

📖 View details

GV-26

Middle of the Person

Renzhong

📍 Along the Governing Vessel on the midline of the back, neck, head

💊 Back pain, headache, dizziness, mental disorders, epilepsy, fever, common cold

📖 View details

GV-27

End Exchange

Duiduan

📍 Along the Governing Vessel on the midline of the back, neck, head

💊 Back pain, headache, dizziness, mental disorders, epilepsy, fever, common cold

📖 View details

GV-28

Gum Union

Yinjiao

📍 Along the Governing Vessel on the midline of the back, neck, head

💊 Back pain, headache, dizziness, mental disorders, epilepsy, fever, common cold

📖 View details

Contraindications & safety

GV-9 to GV-16Pneumothorax risk - superficial needlingGV-15 to GV-16Medullary riskGV-20Caution with infant fontanel

Relation with other meridians

Cooperates with CV - Sea of Yin and Yang
Connects to all Yang meridians
Strengthens back and brain

Clinical notes

GV-20 is the most important point for stroke and headache
GV-14 regulates all Yang
GV-4 strengthens the lower back

Comorbidity & drug interactions

AntiepilepticsInteract with GV points - use cautionBlood pressure medicationCheck before GV-20Muscle relaxantsEnhance GV effect

Prognostic signs

Weak, deep pulse at GV-14|GV deficiency - moxa essential
Rapid, superficial pulse|External pathogens - quick response
Short, weak pulse|Chronic - long-term care

Conclusion

The Governing Vessel is the Sea of Yang and essential for back issues, headache, and fever.