Jizhong DU-6
Chinese: 脊中
Pinyin: Jí Zhōng
Location
On the back midline, in the depression below the spinous process of the 11th thoracic vertebra (T11).
How to locate
Locate the Tufffier's line, which connects the two most superior points on the iliac crest. It generally intersects with the spinous process of the 4th lumbar vertebra (L4).
Then locate the 11th thoracic vertebra by counting up 5. Locate Jizhong DU-6 below the spinous process of the 11th thoracic vertebra (T11) on the midline.
Main actions
- Strengthens the Spleen and expel Dampness
- Benefits the spine
Needling
0.5–1 cun strictly vertically to the skin or obliquely in an inferior direction, with the patient’s back straight or flexed in order to avoid puncturing the spinal canal.
Oblique insertions should only be carried out by experienced practitioners, as in small persons, irrespective of their body weight, the spinal canal may be reached after only 1.25 cun.
Commentary for Jizhong DU-6
Jizhong DU-6 is mainly used to strengthens the Spleen and its ability to transformation Body Fluids. Therefore it can expel Dampness so as to treat abdominal fullness and masses with poor appetite, jaundice, diarrhoea, bloody stool, give types of haemorrhoids and rectum prolapse in children.
It can also treat waist stiffness, epilepsy and warm febrile disease.