Du Mai (Governor Vessel) - Neuro focused

 Du Mai (Governor Vessel)

Function and Significance: The Du Mai, or Governor Vessel, regulates all Yang channels in the body. It governs the spine and the central nervous system, influencing physical and mental strength. The Du Mai plays a significant role in maintaining the body’s posture and coordination, as well as its influence on cognitive functions.

• Nervous and Endocrine System Correlation: The Du Mai is closely linked to the central nervous system, particularly in regulating the brain and spinal cord's functions.

• Additional Insight: GSM highlights the Du Mai’s role in supporting the body’s Yang energy, particularly through its regulation of the central nervous system and its broader impact on cognitive and physical coordination.

• Front Mu Point: GV-1 (Changqiang)

• Location: Midway between the tip of the coccyx and the anus.

• Tonification Point: DU-20 (Baihui)

• Supplemental Acupuncture Points:

• DU-4 (Mingmen): Located on the lower back, this point influences the lumbar region and is tied to the Galant Reflex.

• DU-14 (Dazhui): 

• Corresponding Myofascial Line: Superficial Back Line (SBL)
• Muscles/Structures: Posterior midline, back, neck
• Primitive Reflex: Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex (TLR), Spinal Perez Reflex, Head Righting Reflex
• Movement Patterns: Changes in muscle tone in response to head position changes relative to gravity, involving postural adjustments
• Cranial/Spinal Nerves:
• Cranial nerves: CN III (Oculomotor nerve), CN IV (Trochlear nerve), CN VI (Abducens nerve)
• Spinal nerves: C2-C8, T1-T12, SI joint
• Directional Flow:
• Qi Dynamic: Upward (ascending), central
• Description: Flow moves upward along the posterior midline, supporting extension and alignment of the spine and head.

• Associated Reflexes:  Galant Reflex: (flexion), Head Righting Reflex: (stabilizes head position with respect to gravity), 

• Muscular/Fascial Structures: Sacrospinalis muscle, pelvic floor.

• Fascia Lines: Superficial Back Line (SBL)

• Plexus: Sacral Plexus

Expanding our understanding ofthe Du Mai

Cervical Spinal Nerves (C1-C8) and Corresponding Du Mai Points

C1 - First Cervical Nerve

• Sensory From: None (C1 is primarily motor, not sensory).
• Motor To: Muscles of the neck, including the suboccipital muscles.
• Vertebrae Exit: Exits above the C1 vertebra.
• Plexus: Contributes to the cervical plexus.
• Corresponding Du Point: Du 15 (Yamen)
  • Location: Midline, just below the spinous process of C1, in the depression below the occipital bone.

C2 - Second Cervical Nerve

• Sensory From: Skin of the posterior scalp.
• Motor To: Muscles of the neck, including the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius.
• Vertebrae Exit: Exits between the C1 and C2 vertebrae.
• Plexus: Contributes to the cervical plexus.
• Corresponding Du Point: Du 16 (Fengfu)
  • Location: Midline, below the external occipital protuberance, in the depression directly below the occiput.

C3 - Third Cervical Nerve

• Sensory From: Skin over the neck and extending to the upper shoulder area.
• Motor To: Muscles of the neck, including the sternocleidomastoid, trapezius, and partly to the diaphragm (via the phrenic nerve).
• Vertebrae Exit: Exits between the C2 and C3 vertebrae.
• Plexus: Contributes to the cervical plexus and phrenic nerve.
• Corresponding Du Point: No direct Du point corresponds to this vertebra.
  • Extra Points: Hua Tuo Jia Ji points may be used here.

C4 - Fourth Cervical Nerve

• Sensory From: Skin over the shoulder area.
• Motor To: Muscles involved in breathing (phrenic nerve) and some muscles of the shoulder.
• Vertebrae Exit: Exits between the C3 and C4 vertebrae.
• Plexus: Contributes to the cervical plexus and phrenic nerve.
• Corresponding Du Point: No direct Du point corresponds to this vertebra.
  • Extra Points: Hua Tuo Jia Ji points may be used here.

C5 - Fifth Cervical Nerve

• Sensory From: Skin of the lateral arm and forearm.
• Motor To: Deltoid and biceps brachii muscles, contributing to shoulder abduction and elbow flexion.
• Vertebrae Exit: Exits between the C4 and C5 vertebrae.
• Plexus: Contributes to the brachial plexus.
• Corresponding Du Point: No direct Du point corresponds to this vertebra.
  • Extra Points: Hua Tuo Jia Ji points may be used here.

C6 - Sixth Cervical Nerve

• Sensory From: Skin of the lateral forearm and thumb.
• Motor To: Biceps brachii, brachioradialis, and wrist extensors, aiding in elbow flexion and wrist extension.
• Vertebrae Exit: Exits between the C5 and C6 vertebrae.
• Plexus: Contributes to the brachial plexus.
• Corresponding Du Point: No direct Du point corresponds to this vertebra.
  • Extra Points: Hua Tuo Jia Ji points may be used here.

C7 - Seventh Cervical Nerve

• Sensory From: Skin of the posterior arm, forearm, and middle finger.
• Motor To: Triceps brachii, wrist extensors, and finger extensors, aiding in elbow extension and wrist/finger extension.
• Vertebrae Exit: Exits between the C6 and C7 vertebrae.
• Plexus: Contributes to the brachial plexus.
• Corresponding Du Point: Du 14 (Dazhui)
  • Location: Midline, below the spinous process of C7.

C8 - Eighth Cervical Nerve

• Sensory From: Skin of the medial forearm and ring/little fingers.
• Motor To: Finger flexors and intrinsic hand muscles, aiding in finger flexion and fine motor control.
• Vertebrae Exit: Exits between the C7 and T1 vertebrae.
• Plexus: Contributes to the brachial plexus.
• Corresponding Du Point: Du 14 (Dazhui)
  • Location: Midline, below the spinous process of C7.

Thoracic Spinal Nerves (T1-T12) and Corresponding Du Mai Points

T1 - First Thoracic Nerve

• Sensory From: Skin of the medial arm and upper chest.
• Motor To: Intrinsic hand muscles and intercostal muscles of the upper chest.
• Vertebrae Exit: Exits between the T1 and T2 vertebrae.
• Plexus: Contributes to the brachial plexus and intercostal nerves.
• Corresponding Du Point: Du 13 (Taodao)
  • Location: Midline, below the spinous process of T1.

T2 - Second Thoracic Nerve

• Sensory From: Skin of the axilla and upper chest.
• Motor To: Intercostal muscles.
• Vertebrae Exit: Exits between the T2 and T3 vertebrae.
• Plexus: Intercostal nerves.
• Corresponding Du Point: Du 12 (Shenzhu)
  • Location: Midline, below the spinous process of T3.

T3 - Third Thoracic Nerve

• Sensory From: Skin of the upper chest.
• Motor To: Intercostal muscles.
• Vertebrae Exit: Exits between the T3 and T4 vertebrae.
• Plexus: Intercostal nerves.
• Corresponding Du Point: Du 11 (Shendao)
  • Location: Midline, below the spinous process of T5.

T4 - Fourth Thoracic Nerve

• Sensory From: Skin around the level of the nipples.
• Motor To: Intercostal muscles.
• Vertebrae Exit: Exits between the T4 and T5 vertebrae.
• Plexus: Intercostal nerves.
• Corresponding Du Point: Du 10 (Lingtai)
  • Location: Midline, below the spinous process of T6.

T5 - Fifth Thoracic Nerve

• Sensory From: Skin of the upper chest.
• Motor To: Intercostal muscles.
• Vertebrae Exit: Exits between the T5 and T6 vertebrae.
• Plexus: Intercostal nerves.
• Corresponding Du Point: Du 9 (Zhiyang)
  • Location: Midline, below the spinous process of T7.

T6 - Sixth Thoracic Nerve

• Sensory From: Skin of the mid-chest.
• Motor To: Intercostal muscles.
• Vertebrae Exit: Exits between the T6 and T7 vertebrae.
• Plexus: Intercostal nerves.
• Corresponding Du Point: Du 8 (Jinsuo)
  • Location: Midline, below the spinous process of T9.

T7 - Seventh Thoracic Nerve

• Sensory From: Skin of the lower chest.
• Motor To: Intercostal muscles and abdominal muscles.
• Vertebrae Exit: Exits between the T7 and T8 vertebrae.
• Plexus: Intercostal nerves.
• Corresponding Du Point: Du 7 (Zhongshu)
  • Location: Midline, below the spinous process of T10.

T8 - Eighth Thoracic Nerve

• Sensory From: Skin of the lower chest and upper abdomen.
• Motor To: Intercostal muscles and abdominal muscles.
• Vertebrae Exit: Exits between the T8 and T9 vertebrae.
• Plexus: Intercostal nerves.
• Corresponding Du Point: No direct Du point corresponds to this vertebra.
  • Extra Points: Hua Tuo Jia Ji points may be used here.

T9 - Ninth Thoracic Nerve

• Sensory From: Skin of the abdomen.
• Motor To: Intercostal muscles and abdominal muscles.
• Vertebrae Exit: Exits between the T9 and T10 vertebrae.
• Plexus: Intercostal nerves.
• Corresponding Du Point: Du 6 (Jizhong)
  • Location: Midline, below the spinous process of T11.

T10 - Tenth Thoracic Nerve

• Sensory From: Skin around the level of the umbilicus.
• Motor To: Intercostal muscles and abdominal muscles.
• Vertebrae Exit: Exits between the T10 and T11 vertebrae.
• Plexus: Intercostal nerves.
• Corresponding Du Point: Du 5 (Xuanshu)
  • Location: Midline, below the spinous process of T12.

T11 - Eleventh Thoracic Nerve

• Sensory From: Skin of the lower abdomen.
• Motor To: Intercostal muscles and abdominal muscles.
• Vertebrae Exit: Exits between the T11 and T12 vertebrae.
• Plexus: Intercostal nerves.
• Corresponding Du Point: Du 4 (Mingmen)
  • Location: Midline, below the spinous process of L2.

T12 - Twelfth Thoracic Nerve

• Sensory From: Skin of the lower abdomen and upper groin.
• Motor To: Abdominal muscles and the quadratus lumborum.
• Vertebrae Exit: Exits between the T12 and L1 vertebrae.
• Plexus: Lumbar plexus.
• Corresponding Du Point: Du 4 (Mingmen)
  • Location: Midline, below the spinous process of L2.

Lumbar Spinal Nerves (L1-L5) and Corresponding Du Mai Points

L1 - First Lumbar Nerve

• Sensory From: Skin of the lower abdomen and groin.
• Motor To: Abdominal muscles.
• Vertebrae Exit: Exits between the L1 and L2 vertebrae.
• Plexus: Lumbar plexus.
• Corresponding Du Point: Du 3 (Yaoyangguan)
  • Location: Midline, below the spinous process of L4.

L2 - Second Lumbar Nerve

• Sensory From: Skin of the upper thigh.
• Motor To: Hip flexors and thigh muscles.
• Vertebrae Exit: Exits between the L2 and L3 vertebrae.
• Plexus: Lumbar plexus.
• Corresponding Du Point: Du 2 (Yaoshu)
  • Location: Midline, in the sacral hiatus.

L3 - Third Lumbar Nerve

• Sensory From: Skin of the lower thigh.
• Motor To: Hip flexors, knee extensors.
• Vertebrae Exit: Exits between the L3 and L4 vertebrae.
• Plexus: Lumbar plexus.
• Corresponding Du Point: No direct Du point corresponds to this vertebra.

L4 - Fourth Lumbar Nerve

• Sensory From: Skin of the medial leg.
• Motor To: Knee extensors and foot dorsiflexors.
• Vertebrae Exit: Exits between the L4 and L5 vertebrae.
• Plexus: Lumbar plexus and sacral plexus.
• Corresponding Du Point: No direct Du point corresponds to this vertebra.

L5 - Fifth Lumbar Nerve

• Sensory From: Skin of the lateral leg and dorsum of the foot.
• Motor To: Hip abductors, knee flexors, and ankle dorsiflexors.
• Vertebrae Exit: Exits between the L5 and S1 vertebrae.
• Plexus: Lumbosacral plexus.
• Corresponding Du Point: No direct Du point corresponds to this vertebra.

Sacral Spinal Nerves (S1-S5) and Corresponding Du Mai Points

S1 - First Sacral Nerve

• Sensory From: Skin of the lateral foot.
• Motor To: Hip extensors, knee flexors, and ankle plantarflexors.
• Vertebrae Exit: Exits through the sacral foramen.
• Plexus: Sacral plexus.
• Corresponding Du Point: No direct Du point corresponds to this vertebra.

S2 - Second Sacral Nerve

• Sensory From: Skin of the posterior thigh and leg.
• Motor To: Hip extensors, knee flexors, and foot muscles.
• Vertebrae Exit: Exits through the sacral foramen.
• Plexus: Sacral plexus.
• Corresponding Du Point: No direct Du point corresponds to this vertebra.

S3 - Third Sacral Nerve

• Sensory From: Skin of the buttocks and perineum.
• Motor To: Muscles of the pelvic floor.
• Vertebrae Exit: Exits through the sacral foramen.
• Plexus: Sacral plexus.
• Corresponding Du Point: No direct Du point corresponds to this vertebra.

S4 - Fourth Sacral Nerve

• Sensory From: Skin of the perineum.
• Motor To: Muscles of the pelvic floor.
• Vertebrae Exit: Exits through the sacral foramen.
• Plexus: Sacral plexus.
• Corresponding Du Point: No direct Du point corresponds to this vertebra.

S5 - Fifth Sacral Nerve

• Sensory From: Skin of the coccyx area.
• Motor To: Coccygeal muscles.
• Vertebrae Exit: Exits through the sacral foramen.
• Plexus: Coccygeal plexus.
• Corresponding Du Point: No direct Du point corresponds to this vertebra.

Coccygeal Spinal Nerve (Co1) and Corresponding Du Mai Point

Co1 - Coccygeal Nerve

• Sensory From: Skin of the coccygeal area.
• Motor To: Coccygeal muscles.
• Vertebrae Exit: Exits through the sacral hiatus.
• Plexus: Coccygeal plexus.
• Corresponding Du Point: Du 1 (Changqiang)
  • Location: Midline, between the tip of the coccyx and the anus.