Du Mai Pair — SI3 and BL62

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Classical Prescriptions Extraordinary Vessels

Classical; the Eight Confluent Point pairings.

Points

SI3 Houxi one side

Confluent point of the Du Mai
BL62 Shenmai opposite side

Confluent point of the Yang Qiao Mai

Treatment Principle

Open the Du Mai and Yang Qiao to free the spine and settle excess yang.

Indications

Neck and spinal pain and stiffnessacute torticollisoccipital headacheepilepsy — particularly daytime seizuresinsomnia with a restless, wired qualitylow back painnight sweatsstiffness of the whole posterior line

Method

SI3 on one side and BL62 on the other. For acute stiff neck, needle bilaterally and have the patient rotate the neck during retention.

Needle order: SI3 (master) first, then BL62 (coupled).

⚠ Cautions

Neck pain following trauma or with neurological signs needs assessment before mobilisation.

About

The yang counterpart of the Ren Mai pairing, and the most-used of the four in musculoskeletal practice.

Rationale

The Du Mai runs the length of the spine and the Yang Qiao the lateral leg and the eye; together they govern the yang of the posterior and lateral body. The combination's reach along the whole spine — from the occiput to the sacrum — comes from the vessel rather than from either point's local action.

Clinical Notes

With BL62 the pairing also regulates sleep: reduce BL62 and reinforce KI6 for insomnia, and reverse it for daytime somnolence — the Yang Qiao and Yin Qiao governing waking and sleeping respectively.

Sources

Deadman, Peter; Al-Khafaji, Mazin; Baker, Kevin. A Manual of Acupuncture.

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