Dushu BL16: Nomenclature, Location, Functions, Indications

Nomenclature:

Du: governor                   Vessel Shu: point
Dushu is the place where the Qi of the governor vessel infuses.
Point: BL16
Chinese Name: 督俞
Name: Dushu
English Name/Meaning: Governor Transporter
Pinyin: dū shū
Han Geul 한글: dok yu 독유
Romaji: toku yu
Vietnamese: Đốc du

Location:

1.5 cun lateral to Lingtai (GV10), at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the sixth thoracic vertebra.

Functions of Dushu:

• Relaxes chest and regulates qi.
• Regulate sanjiao.

Indications:

• Digestive disorders: Abdominal pain, abdominal distension, bloating, hiccups, nausea, vomiting.
• Pain in heart due to blood stasis, chills and fever.

Method:

Oblique insertion towards the spine, 0.5 to 1 cun.

Precautions:

Deep perpendicular or needling in a wrong direction carries a substantial risk of causing a pneumothorax.