ACUPUNCTURE
Da Dun: TCM Acupoint Guide
Name
Da Dun (Dadun)
Location
On the dorsal aspect of the big toe, at the junction of the lines drawn along the lateral border of the nail and the base of the nail, approximately 0.1 cun from the lateral corner of the nail. Note: some sources locate this point on the dorsal aspect of the big toe, midway between the lateral corner of the nail and the interphalangeal joint.
Needling
- Perpendicular or oblique insertion directed proximally, 0.1 to 0.2 cun, or prick to bleed.
- Straight insertion, 0.1 to 0.2 cun.
- Puncture subcutaneously, 0.1 to 0.2 cun.
- Moxibustion is applicable.
Command Functions
- Jing-well point of the Liver channel
- Wood point of the Liver channel
- Horary point of the Liver channel
Actions
- Regulates the qi of the Lower Jiao
- Treats Shan disorder
- Alleviates pain
- Regulates menstruation
- Stops menstrual bleeding
- Benefits the genitals
- Adjusts urination
- Relieves Damp-Heat
- Regulates Liver Qi
- Restores consciousness
- Calms the Shen
- Disperses Liver Fire
Indications
- Genital swelling, pain and inflammation
- Penile contraction
- Scrotal contraction
- Testicular mumps
- Urinary tract infection
- Urinary incontinence
- Irregular menstruation
- Unilateral lower abdominal pain
- Abdominal hernia
- Inguinal hernia
- Excessive sweating
- Constipation
- Prolapsed uterus
- Orchitis
- Enuresis
- Epilepsy
- Diabetes
- Stomach pains
- Somnolence
- Hernia pain
- Amenorrhea
- Disorders of the penis, scrotum or vagina
- Five types of urethritis
- Hordeolum, or stye
- Abdominal distention and swelling
- Pain in the middle of the navel
- Sensation of Heat in the entrails
- Skin disorders
- Hypogastric pain
- Umbilical pain
- Painful urinary dysfunction
- Metrorrhagia
- Acute and chronic childhood fright Wind
- Great fear as if seeing ghosts
- Oppression
- Bitter taste in the mouth
- Psychosis
- Sudden Heart pain
- Ceaseless nosebleed
- All types of bleeding
- Abnormal uterine bleeding from Heat in the Blood
- Hematuria
- Hemafecia
- Difficult urination
- Urinary retention
- Painful urinary retention
- Enlarged scrotum
- Itchy scrotum
- Vaginal discharge
- Pruritus vulvae
- Pain on urination with distention of the hypogastrium
- Acute stage of Windstroke
- Gonorrhea
- Vaginal prolapse
- Very painful headaches
- Sudden uterine hemorrhage
- Five types of hernia
- Psychopathy
- Scrotum swollen on one side
- Pain at the tip of the penis
- Urinary frequency
- Syncope
- Cadaveric syncope
- Sadness
- Excess menstruation
- Sudden Shan disorder
- The seven types of Shan disorder
- Heat of the lower abdomen
- Ceaseless uterine bleeding
- Excessive fright with little strength
- Mania-depression
- Worry
- Sighing
- Tetany
Combinations
| Points | Indications |
|---|---|
| KI-6 Zhaohai | Cold Shan disorder |
| LIV-3 Taichong | The seven kinds of Shan disorder |
| REN-4 Guanyuan with seven moxa cones on Dadun | Abdominal fullness that radiates to the back, one-sided swelling and sagging of the testicles |
| ST-29 Guilai, SP-6 Sanyinjiao | Sagging and swollen testicle without pain |
| UB-39 Weiyang, KI-10 Yingu, LIV-14 Qimen, UB-40 Weizhong | Involuntary erection with difficult urination |
| SP-11 Jimen, HT-5 Tongli, UB-28 Pangguangshu, LIV-3 Taichong, UB-40 Weizhong, HT-7 Shenmen | Enuresis |
| SP-10 Xuehai | The five types of painful urinary dysfunction |
| REN-6 Qihai | The five types of painful urinary dysfunction with inability to urinate |
| LIV-8 Ququan, KI-6 Zhaohai | Uterine prolapse |
| DU-1 Changqiang (needle first), GB-34 Yanglingquan | Hot constipation, qi constipation |
| ST-45 Lidui | Somnolence |
| SP-1 Yinbai | Loss of consciousness |
Notes
A first aid point for unconsciousness. This is considered the best point for vaginal discharge and the pre-eminent distal point for any Shan disorder. Cross-needling is recommended for acute conditions. Its main uses are to stop uterine bleeding and relieve genital pain. Moxa this point for uterine bleeding if the pulse is Full; if the pulse is Empty, moxa SP-1 Yinbai.
Sources and further reading
We cite classical materia medica and modern reference works. This article is health education, not medical advice.
- Shennong Bencao Jing (The Divine Farmer's Materia Medica), Han dynasty.
- Bencao Gangmu (Compendium of Materia Medica), Li Shizhen, 1578.
- Chinese Pharmacopoeia, current edition — identity, quality and safety monographs.
- NCCIH and WHO reference material on traditional medicine safety.
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