Line drawing in ink and brush style from an anonymous manuscript probably dating from the end of the Qing period (1644-1911). Dumai (Governor Vessel) is one of the Eight Extraordinary Channels (Qi jing ba mai). Originating in the lower abdomen, it runs down to the perineum, round to the back and then straight upwards inside the spinal column as far as the fengfu (Palace of Wind) point, where it enters the thorax. It ascends to the top of the head, then follows the midline of the forehead and terminates below the nasal septum. Acu-moxa locations on this channel include changqiang (Long Strength); yaoshu (Lumbar Conveyor); yangguan (Yang Pass); mingmen (Portal of Life); xuanshu (Suspended Pivot); jizhong (Centre of the Spine); jinsuo (Sinew Contraction); zhiyang (Reaching Yang); lingtai (Spirit Terrace); dazhui (Great Vertebra); naohu (Brain's Door); baihui (Hundred Meetings); shenting (Numinous Courtyard); and yinjiao (Gum Intersection). According to current teaching, pathological changes in the channel provoke rigidity of the spinal column (jizhu qiangzhi, tetanus), arching of the back (jiaogong fanzhang); headache and stiff neck (toutong jingqiang, meningitis), dizziness (xuanyun), urinary incontinence, infertility in women, etc.
