Yamen DU-15
Chinese: 哑门
Pinyin: Yǎ Mén
Location
On the back of the neck, 0.5 cun directly above the midpoint of the posterior hairline, below the spinous process of 1st cervical vertebra (C1).
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.
Fengfu DU-16 is located in a depression on the posterior midline that you can palpate directly inferior to the protuberance.
From there, glide 0.5 cun in an inferior direction and locate Yamen DU-15 superior to the 1st palpable spinous process (C1). DU-15 is also approximately 0.5 cun superior to the posterior hairline.
Main actions
- Expels internal Wind
- Benefits the tongue and stimulates speech
- Benefits the neck and spine
Needling
0.5–1 cun strictly vertically in an inferior direction.
Caution: Injury to the cervical marrow.
Commentary for Yamen DU-15
Yamen is translated to 'Gate to Muteness' in Chinese, which indicates its relationship with speech ability. Indeed, it is mostly used to stimulate speaking for children with speech difficulties or for adults after a Wind-stroke.
Secondly it is used to expel Interior Wind so as to regain consciousness from Wind-stroke and epilepsy.
With Tonifying method, it also rises clear Yang to the head so as to nourish the Brain and clear the Mind. It is because Yamen DU-15 works as the Sea of Qi point. Thus it treats feeling of heaviness of the head, poor memory and poor concentration.