ACUPUNCTURE
Da Zhu: TCM Acupoint Guide
DAZHU
Name
Da Zhu (Dazhu)
Location
1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the first thoracic vertebra, at the same level as DU-13 Taodao. Note: locate at the visible highest point of the paraspinal muscles.
Needling
- Slanted insertion toward the spine, 0.7 to 1 cun. Sensation: local distention, soreness and numbness sometimes extending between the ribs.
- Caution: perpendicular needling carries a substantial risk of causing a pneumothorax.
- Transverse-oblique insertion, 1 to 1.5 cun.
- Oblique insertion towards the spine, 0.5 to 1 cun.
Command Functions
- Influential point for bones
- Meeting point of the Small Intestine, Gall Bladder and DU channels
- Sea of Blood point
Actions
- Nourishes Blood
- Expels Wind
- Strengthens bones
- Benefits the bones and joints
- Soothes the sinews
- Releases the Exterior
- Regulates Lung qi
- Alleviates cough
Indications
- Common cold
- Bronchitis
- Pneumonia
- Pleurisy
- Neck and back pain
- Tuberculosis of the bones
- Arthritis
- Numbness of the limbs
- Pain and soreness of the scapular region
- Cough
- Fever
- Neck rigidity
- Atrophy syndrome
- Joint problems
- Bi syndrome with joint deformity
- Soreness and pain of the interscapular region
- Bone diseases
- Rigidity of the nape of the neck
- Rigidity of the spine
- Tetany
- Clonic spasm
- Contracture of sinews associated with madness
- Stiffness and pain of the knee
- Dyspnea
- Cough due to taxation
- Depression in the chest
- Heat in the chest
- Throat Bi
- Abdominal pain
- Abdominal urgency with agitation and fullness
- Headache with chills
- Low back pain
- Throat blockage
- Fullness of the chest with shortness of breath
- Tidal fevers
- Infantile convulsions
- Pain with inability to bend the knee
- Stiffness along the spine
- Headache
- Malarial disorders
- High fever and chills with no sweating
- Dizziness
- Chest and flank distention
- Shortness of breath
- Sore throat
- Dysphonia
- Cold shivering
- Injury by Cold with absence of sweat
- Injury by Wind which does not disperse
- Failure of the interstices to close
- Susceptibility to Wind-Cold
- Head Wind
- Bursting headache
- Inversion qi with a heavy head
- Blurred vision
- Collapse
- Inability to stand for long
- Colic
- Difficulty keeping upright for a long time
- Nervousness
- Cramps
Combinations
| Points | Indications |
|---|---|
| REN-17 Shanzhong, ST-40 Fenglong | Asthma |
| UB-13 Feishu, LU-1 Zhongfu, LU-6 Kongzui | Pneumonia |
| GB-20 Fengchi, UB-12 Fengmen, UB-13 Feishu | Common cold |
| UB-46 Geguan, REN-9 Shuifen | Acute stiff back |
| GB-39 Xuanzhong, KI-7 Fuliu, UB-62 Shenmai, ST-45 Lidui, UB-23 Shenshu | Coldness and pain of the bone marrow |
| LIV-8 Ququan | All Wind, painful obstruction, atrophy disorder and inversion diseases |
| ST-2 Sibai, KI-1 Yongquan | Headache and visual dizziness |
| UB-15 Xinshu | Depression in the chest |
Notes
This point nourishes Blood. It treats generalized Bi syndrome. When the shoulders cannot carry weight, this is the point to needle.
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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