Sundance Acupuncture

Herb & Acupuncture Database

(This is my own personal database of teachers, teachings and notes that I use in my practice. I’ve decided to share it freely with anyone who would like to reference it.)

DU-24 Shenting - Spirit Hall

More Spirit Names: Spirit Court, Mind Courtyard, Hairline

English:	Courtyard of the Spirit
Also Known As:	Mind Courtyard Spirit Hall

Location

0.5 cun directly above the midpoint of the anterior hairline.
At the top of the head on the midline, 0.5 cun posterior to the anterior hairline and 0.5 cun anterior to DU-23 Shangxing.
Note: If the anterior hairline is indistinct, locate it 3 cun superior to the glabella and 5 cun anterior to DU-20 Baihui.
0.5 cun posterior to the middle of the natural hairline at the forehead.

Needling

Puncture subcutaneously 0.3 50 0.5 cun or prick to cause bleeding.
Moxibustion is applicable.
Transverse insertion 0.5 to 1 cun.
Slanted insertion 0.5 to 0.8 cun.

Command Functions

Meeting point of the DU channel and Stomach and Bladder channels

Actions

Calms the mind
Benefits the Brain
Calms the Shen
Eliminates Wind
Benefits the head
Benefits the nose and eyes
Lifts the Mind and opens the Mind's orifices

Indications

Schizophrenia
Palpitations
Insomnia
Rhinorrhea
Psychosis
Ascends to high places and sings
Mimics other people's speech
Loss of consciousness
Upward staring eyes
Opisthotonis
Vomiting with agitation and fullness
Headache with chills and fever
Cold sensations of the head
Epistaxis
Lachrymation
Dyspnea
Seizures

Epilepsy
Anxiety
Headache
Vertigo
Mania-depression
Discards clothing and runs around
Fright palpitations
Tongue thrusting
Wind dizziness with vomiting
Wind epilepsy
Dizziness
Head Wind
Clear, ceaseless nasal discharge
Nasal congestion and discharge
Lack of visual clarity
Rhinopolypus
Stomatitis
Depression
Poor memory

Combinations

GB-13 Benshen	DU-27 Duidan REN-24 Chengjiang	DU-25 Suliao KI-1 Yongquan
Severe anxiety and fears	Madness with vomiting of foam	Wind epilepsy
DU-21 Qianding	DU-20 Baihui DU-21 Qianding DU-23 Shanxing SJ-23 Sizhukong GB-20 Fengchi LI-4 Hegu UB-2 Zanzhu ST-8 Touwei	DU-23 Shanxing DU-22 Xinhui
Inability to speak following Windstroke	One-sided or generalized head Wind	Head Wind and dizziness
DU-23 Shanxing KI-1 Yongquan UB-45 Yixi LU-10 Yuji SP-2 Dadu	UB-12 Fengmen LI-4 Hegu UB-2 Zanzhu LI-20 Yingxiang UB-67 Zhiyin KI-27 Shufu	LIV-2 Xingjian
Visual dizziness	Rhinitis with clear nasal discharge	Lachrymation

Contraindications

According to several classic texts, this point is contraindicated to needling as it may cause mania or damage the eyesight.

Notes

This is a very important and powerful point to calm the mind.
Sedate unless terrifically depressed.

Five Elements Spirit Perspective

Spirit of the Point	Spirit Hall is like a courtyard before the upper Cinnabar Field, which stores the original spirit, and it is a very powerful point for calming mind and spirit. With extreme mental disorders, the Governor Vessel is used to bring them under control. It can also help a person who is doing well and wishes to move into another dimension: the up-front issues are resolved, and the point empowers them to move and change and returns their own spirit to them. It helps a person look past the problem at hand toward a larger vision of life, raising them above duality into oneness.
Worsley	Location: 11½ ACI above DU-15, on the midline of the head. Needle depth: Do not needle Moxa: 5 cones
When to Consider	When the process simply isn't happening and there is turmoil, with head and spirit problems When the person has flipped out and stepped off their journey When behavior shows a loss of control and propriety When there are severe anxiety and fears When a person is doing well, the up-front issues are resolved, and they wish to move into another dimension When close to psychosis, in extreme cases where UB-44 is not enough
Combinations	DU-16 Wind Palace with DU-24: to bring about a complete transition in the patient and lift them to a higher plane GB-13 Root Spirit with DU-24: for severe anxiety and fears
Notes	Sedate unless the person is terrifically depressed Can be dodgy: the patient must be ready for it, and together Often used with Seal Hall, the point of illumination at the third eye Rarely used. Seal Hall (Yintang), between the eyebrows, quiets an over-active mind that is chattering and preoccupied, clearing the slate so the gaps between thoughts can be seen

From Class

Heart-Yin deficiency after childbirth — points: HT-7, HT-5, PC-7, Ren-14, Ren-15, Du-19, Du-24, Ren-4, LV-8, SP-6; reinforcing, no moxa, to calm the Mind, tonify the Heart and nourish Yin. (Maciocia)

For educational reference only; not a substitute for care from a qualified practitioner.