Library

(The character "Du" in Du Mai (Governor Vessel) means "capital" or "gathering point." It runs along the midline of the back and serves as the chief commander of all Yang meridians. It is named so because it supervises and leads all other meridians. Its channel extends from [Huiyin] to the head, measuring four chi and five cun in length.) The *Nan Jing* (Classic of Difficult Issues) states: The Du Mai (Governor Vessel) originates at Xiaji (The area between the two yin organs and two tendons is called Cuan; the deep part within Cuan is Xiaji, which corresponds to the Huiyin acupoint, also known as Pingyi). It runs parallel within the spinal column, ascends to Fengfu (Located behind the neck, one cun inside the hairline, in the depression of the large tendon), enters and connects with the brain, ascends to the vertex, follows the forehead, and reaches the nasal bridge (It accompanies the Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian, running until Yinjiao acupoint where it terminates). It belongs to the Sea of Yang Meridians (The twelve characters from "from the vertex above to here" were added by Hua Boren). As a disease manifestation, it presents with rigidity of the spine and cold extremities (Jue). The *Su Wen* (Basic Questions) states: It originates in the lower abdomen (Here, "originates" does not mean the initial starting point; similarly to the Ren Mai (Conception Vessel) and Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel), it originates from the Baozhong/Uterus). It descends to the center of the bone (Descending to the center surrounded by the transverse bones of the waist). In women, it enters and connects with Tingkong (This opening is the end of the urethral meatus). Its collateral network circulates through the external genitalia, converges at Cuanjian, circles around the posterior aspect of Cuan, and separately circles the buttocks (This is a Luo-connecting vessel). It reaches the middle collaterals of the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian and the Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian, merges with the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian, and ascends along the posterior medial aspect of the thigh, piercing the spine and connecting with the Kidneys (The collateral of the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian travels from the posterior medial aspect of the thigh, pierces the spine, and connects with the Kidneys. The external branch of the Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian's collateral circulates through the hip pivot, connects with the lateral thigh, and descends; its internal branch descends through the buttocks, reaches the sacral tip, and merges with the external branch). It starts together with the Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian at the inner canthus of the eye, ascends to the forehead, crosses at the vertex, enters to connect with the brain, re-emerges, descends separately to the nape, follows the medial aspect of the shoulder blades, flanks the spine to reach the middle of the waist, enters to circulate through the paraspinal muscles, and connects with the Kidneys (Continuing upward after circling the buttocks); in men, it circulates down the penis to Cuan, identical to women (From "with the Taiyang" to here, these are all the collateral branches of the Du Mai (Governor Vessel)). The straight ascending portion penetrates the center of the umbilicus, ascends through the heart into the throat, rises to the chin, circles the lips, and ascends to tie into the center below both eyes (From "its lower abdomen" to here, it describes the pathway of the Ren Mai (Conception Vessel). Since it is stated that this is connected to the Du Mai (Governor Vessel), it is known that the Ren Mai (Conception Vessel), Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel), and Du Mai (Governor Vessel) have different names but share the same origin/body).

Commentary: The difference between Hua Shi's statement in the *Nan Jing* (Classic of Difficult Issues) regarding the direct pathway and the *Su Wen* (Basic Questions) regarding the collateral pathways explains the discrepancy; the Ren Mai (Conception Vessel) follows this pattern. As a disease manifestation, it presents with rigidity of the spine and opisthotonos (Rigidity of the spine is the general term for the five types of tetanus/spasm disorders; symptoms include sudden lockjaw, backward arching of the back. If various medicines fail, Shen Zhu acupoint may be moxa-ed). The *Ling Shu* (Spiritual Pivot) states: The collateral branch of the Du Mai (Governor Vessel) is named Changqiang (Commentary: Zhang Shixian, in his annotation of the *Nan Jing*, identified the Cuan at Xiaji as the Changqiang acupoint. Then why is the collateral branch named Changqiang here? Consulting the *Tu Jing* (Illustrated Classic), Xiaji is located in the center of Cuan and is the Huiyin acupoint. Changqiang is located at the tip of the coccyx, posterior to Huiyin. Li Dongyuan also stated that the Du Mai (Governor Vessel) emerges from Huiyin and roots at Changqiang. Thus, they are clearly two distinct acupoints. Zhang's theory is incorrect). It supports the paraspinal muscles, ascends to the nape, scatters over the head, descends to the area opposite the left and right scapulae, diverges to the Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian, and enters to pierce the paraspinal muscles. Excess conditions manifest as rigidity of the spine; deficiency conditions manifest as heaviness of the head. For pathological changes, treat the acupoint where it diverges.