Dazhui GV14: Nomenclature, Location, Functions, Indications, Method, Precautions

Nomenclature:

Da: large Zhui: vertebrae
Dazhui is below the 7th cervical vertebra, which is the largest of the cervical vertebrae.

English name/ meaning: Great Hammer
Chinese name: 大椎
Chinese pinyin: Dazhui
Korean name: Taech’u
Japanese name: Daitsui
Vietnamese name: Dai chuy
French: Pae-lao

Location:

On the posterior midline, in the depression below the spinous process of the 7th cervical vertebra.

Functions:

• Relieves external conditions (expels pathogens, helps skin to resist the pathogens).
• Frees up the Yang (stimulates areas of the body that are deficient in Qi and Yang ).
• Clears brains and calms spirit (epilepsy, seizures, psychosis).

Indication:

• Dazhui relieves exterior syndromes so is good for febrile disease, tidal fever, night sweats malaria.
• Also helps to expand the chest, stop coughing and wheezing: Cough and asthma
• Regulating the count of the white blood cells: radiotherapy or chemotherapy may cause the decrease of white blood cells of the patients with a tumour, which may be increased by acupuncture; for tropical eosinophilia, acupuncture may decrease acidocyte.
• Also expels internal wind : tremors, convulsions.
• Good for Psychosis, epilepsy, infantile convulsion, Rubella, acne.
• Local problems: back and nape stiffness and pain

Method:

Puncture obliquely upwards 0.5-1cun.
Prick to induce bleeding with a three-edged needle.

Remarks:

Crossing Point of the six Yang channels and Governor Vessel .
Point of the sea of Qi.
Best point to treat sweat.
Important point for malaria.

Precautions:

Avoid deep insertion. The spinal canal lies between 1.25 and 1.75 cun deep to the skin surface, varying according to body build.