DU-15 Yamen - Gate of Dumbness

More Spirit Names: Mute's Gate, Tongue Root, Gate to Dumbness

English:	Gate of Muteness
Also Known As:	Door of Muteness Gate to Dumbness Mute Door

Location

• On the midline at the nape of the neck, in the depression 0.5 cun inferior to DU-16 Fengfu, below the spinous process of the first cervical vertebra (impalpable).
  Note: The posterior hairline is measured as one cun inferior to DU-16 Fengfu. Locate DU-15 Yamen at the midpoint, i.e. 0.r cun above the posterior hairline.
• Between the spinous processes of of the first and second cervical vertebrae, in the depression 0.5 cun within the hairline at the midpoint of the nape and 0.5 cun below DU-16 Fengfu.

Needling

• Perpendicular insertion slightly inferiorly, 0.5 to 1 cun.
• Traditionally moxibustion is not applicable.
• Caution: the spinal canal lies between 1.5 to 2 cun deep to the skin surface, varying according to body build. Deep perpendicular insertion is strictly contraindicated, as is oblique insertion towards the brain.
• Straight insertion one to two cun. The needle should be inserted level with the mouth or earlobe, and should not be rotated or otherwise agitated after insertion.
  Sensation: local distention. When the needle is inserted too deeply, there will be a strong electric sensation indicating that the spinal cord has been touched. In this case, the needle should be at least partially withdrawn.
• Caution: extreme care must be exercised so as to avoid inserting the needle upward into the medulla oblongata, where it could cause death.
• Puncture perpendicularly 0.5 to 0.8 cun.

Command Functions

• Meeting point of the DU and Yangwei channels
• Point of the Sea of Qi
• One of the nine needles to retur Yang
• Crossing point of the Yang Wei channel (Secondary source).
• Sea of Marrow point (Secondary source)

Actions

• Benefits the tongue
• Treats muteness
• Eliminates Wind
• Benefits the neck and spine
• Treats collapse of Yang
• Clears the senses
• Clears consciousness
• Clears the mind
• Stimulates speech
• Moistens the throat
• Stimulates Qi flow

Indications

Stiffness of the tongue with inability to speak Loss of voice Lotus flower tongue (distention and prominence of Blood vessels beneath the tongue) Flaccidity of the tongue Heaviness of the head Head Wind Loss of consciousness from Windstroke Epilepsy Clonic spasm Manic-depression Headache Deaf-mutism Seizures Cerebral palsy Incomplete maturation of the brain Hysteria Convulsions Mumps Tinnitus Sudden loss of voice Sudden hoarseness of voice Aphonia Mutism Swollen tongue Stiffness of the tongue preventing speech Paralysis of the suprahyoid muscle Mental disorders Insanity Loss of consciousness due to cerebral hemorrhage

Cerebral congestion Loss of consciousness All types of Yang Heat Excess All types of Qi exuberance Anhidrosis Chills and fever Nosebleed that does not stop Stiffness of the neck Stiffness of the spine Spasm of the spine Aversion to cold Cold counter flow of the limbs Purple lips Hysteria Convulsions Occipital headache Apoplexy Insanity Aphasia in stroke Swelling or paralysis of the tongue Congenital deafness Throat swelling Pharyngitis Swelling of the sublingual area giving the impression of a second tongue Deaf-mutism Convulsions with the back arched Madness Apoplexy Meningitis Incomplete maturation of the brain Poor memory

Combinations

LU-6 Kongzui	SJ-8 Sanyangluo	SJ-1 Guanchong
Loss of voice	Sudden loss of voice	Flaccidity of the tongue with inability to speak
DU-16 Fengfu	LU-11 Shaoshang LU-10 Yuji LI-2 Erjian PC-9 Zhongchong KI-10 Yingu KI-2 Rangu	DU-14 Dazhui
Windstroke, flaccidity of the tongue and sudden loss of voice Excessive extension of the spine	Stiffness of the tongue	Moxa both points
UB-7 Tongtian UB-59 Fuyang	DU-26 Renzhong SI-3 Houxi ST-40 Fenglong	DU-14 Dazhui M-HN-13 Yiming PC-6 Neiguan ST-36 Zusanli "The Three Vertebral Points"
Heaviness of the head	Seizures	Incomplete maturation of the brain

• DU-15 + HT-5: aphasia

Contraindications

Notes

• This point lies directly behind the root of the tongue and has a direct connection.
• Its main action is to stimulate speech.