Fengfu DU-16
Chinese: 风府
Pinyin: Fēng Fǔ
Location
Directly below the external occipital protuberance, in the depression between the origins of the trapezius muscle.
How to locate
The external occipital protuberance is a hump-shaped projection on the posterior surface of the occipital bone, on the midline and slightly superior to the craniocervical junction.
Locate Fengfu Du-16 in a depression on the posterior midline that can be palpated directly inferior to the protuberance and between the two origins of the trapezius muscle.
Generally, Du-16 is located approximately 1 cun superior to the posterior hairline.
Main actions
- Expels Interior and Exterior Wind
- Nourishes Marrow and benefits the Brain
- Calms the Mind
Needling
0.5–1 cun slightly obliquely in an inferior direction. Bend the patient’s head slightly forward when needling.
Caution: Dangerous point with deep needling! No stimulation. Strictly no needling in a superior direction, danger of puncturing the cerebellomedullary cistern (also site for suboccipital puncture).
The needle should be inserted into the nuchal ligament. According to some authors, moxibustion is contraindicated.
Commentary for Fengfu DU-16
Fengfu DU-16 is a very important point for expelling both Exterior or Interior Wind. For example, the symptom of headache can be the result of both type of Wind.
Liver Yang rising, Liver Wind agitating or Liver Fire may give rise to Internal Wind. Other typical manifestations are opisthotonos, aphasia from Wind-stroke, Wind-stroke or hemiplegia.
When the body is invaded by Exterior Wind-Cold or Wind-Heat, the patients suffer from fever, body aches, occipital stiffness, headache and aversion to cold.
Fengfu DU-16 is a Sea of Marrow point, which stimulates the Marrow to go up to fill the Brain. This is another reason this point is able to treat headache. Other typical symptoms are dizziness, tinnitus and blurred vision.
Finally, it calms the Mind and open the Mind's orifices so as to treat manic behavior, suicidal thoughts, sadness or sense of fear.