ACUPUNCTURE
Ming Men: TCM Acupoint Guide
MINGMEN
Name
Ming Men (Mingmen)
Location
On the posterior midline, in the depression inferior to the spinous process of the second lumbar vertebra. Note: the point is located one intervertebral space below the line connecting the highest points of the two iliac crests, level with the lower border of L-3.
Needling
- Straight insertion, pointed slightly toward the spine, 1 to 1.5 cun. Sensation: local distention. If the needle is inserted too deeply, there is an electric, numb sensation extending into the lower limb.
- Caution: the spinal cord lies between 1.25 and 1.75 cun deep to the skin surface, varying according to body build.
- Puncture perpendicularly, 0.5 to 1 cun.
- Moxibustion is applicable.
Actions
- Tonifies the Kidneys
- Tonifies Kidney Yang
- Tonifies Yuan Qi
- Regulates the water pathways
- Dries Dampness and Cold-Damp
- Warms the Yang
- Warms Cold
- Warms the Ming Men
- Tonifies the lower back
- Benefits the lumbar vertebrae
- Tonifies bones
- Strengthens Jing
- Stabilizes Kidney Qi
- Calms the fetus
- Calms the Shen
- Benefits and clears the Brain
- Restores collapsed Yang
- Clears Heat
- Regulates the DU channel
Indications
- Bone disorders
- Chronic nephritis
- Sequelae of infantile paralysis
- Neurasthenia due to Kidney Yang Deficiency
- Lower back stiffness and pain
- Irregular menstruation
- Amenorrhea
- Leukorrhea
- Abnormal uterine bleeding due to Kidney Yang Deficiency
- Seizures
- Mania
- Childhood convulsions
- Meningitis
- Fear and fright
- Insomnia
- Cold extremities
- Chilliness
- Tiredness
- Lack of vitality
- A pale tongue
- A deep and weak pulse
- Chronic lower back ache
- Abdominal pain
- Infertility
- Endometritis
- Spinal myelitis
- Headache
- Tidal fevers
- Prolapsed anus
- Lumbago
- Dysentery
- Four limbs icy and flaccid
- Infantile epilepsy with mouth open, head moving incessantly and body arched
- Headache and tinnitus
- Yin or Yang malaria with cough, body burning like Fire with a very high temperature but no sweat
- Gonorrhea
- General Kidney diseases
- Intestinal hemorrhage
- Heat in the body like Fire
- Epilepsy
- Heat of the five Zang
- Shaking of the head with open mouth
- Splitting headache
- Shan, hernia, disorder
- Cold Bi of the hands and feet
- Unstable temperature
- Kidney pain radiating to the abdomen
- Hemorrhoids
- Urinary incontinence
- Dysuria
- Hemafecia due to Cold
- Diarrhea
- Atrophy syndrome due to Jing Deficiency
- Restless fetus disorder due to Kidney Deficiency
- All sexual dysfunctions
- Impotence
- Sterility
- Anemia
- Disorientation due to Deficiency
- Forgetfulness
- Somnolence
- Dizziness
- Tinnitus
- Abundant clear urine
- Depression
- Weak knees and legs
- Premature ejaculation
- Nocturnal emissions
- Enuresis
- Dysmenorrhea
- Spermatorrhea
- Peritonitis
- Sciatica
- Pain of intestinal colic
- Bloody vaginal discharge
- Indigestion
- Ejaculation in coitus does not stop in elderly persons
- Rectal prolapse
- Intestinal pain
- Headache like a hatchet
- High fever
- Heat in the bones
- Osseous tuberculosis
- Urethritis in women
- Diseases of the genital organ system
- Cerebral congestion
- Heat at the top of the body
- Steaming bones
- Malaria with alternating chills and fever
- Opisthotonis
- White turbidity
- Spinal rigidity with inability to flex and extend the back
Combinations
| Points | Indications |
|---|---|
| DU-14 Dazhui, UB-17 Geshu, LI-11 Quchi, ST-36 Zusanli | Iron deficiency anemia |
| DU-20 Baihui, REN-4 Guanyuan, SP-6 Sanyinjiao, UB-33 Zhongliao | Enuresis (moxa) |
| UB-23 Shenshu | Copious urine in the elderly (moxa), lumbar pain in the elderly |
| PC-9 Zhongchong | Heat in the body like Fire, splitting headache |
| UB-23 Shenshu, REN-6 Qihai, KI-2 Rangu | Impotence |
Contraindications
Be careful with moxibustion. Make sure there is no Heat anywhere. According to a number of classical texts, this point is contraindicated to moxibustion in those who are under twenty years of age.
Notes
The most powerful point to strengthen Kidney Yang, especially with moxibustion. It is considered to be a rejuvenation point. It is indicated for Heat disorders, whether Interior or Exterior or Excess or Deficient. It affects the testes, adrenals and ovaries.
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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