Dushu 督兪
Upper back, 1.5 cun out from the back midline at the level of T6.
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Vertebra t6 · Descending part of trapezius muscle · Longissimus thoracis muscle
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On this page
1Where is Dushu?
Upper back, 1.5 cun out from the back midline at the level of T6.
The level is set by the lower edge of the T6 spinous process.
Vertebra t6 · Descending part of trapezius muscle · Longissimus thoracis muscle
2How do I find it on my body?
- Find T7, level with the lower tips of the shoulder blades (arms hanging). The spinous process just above it is T6.
- Take the height of the lower edge of that spinous process.
- Press 1.5 cun out from the midline, over the erector spinae muscle. With the arms hanging, the midline-to-shoulder-blade distance (to its inner border) is 3 cun, or 6 cun between the two; this is half of it.
A cun is a body-scaled unit of length. The precise way is to divide a bone length into equal parts (proportional bone cun); finger widths are a quick estimate.
- descending part of trapezius
- The upper part of trapezius. It starts at the back of the skull and neck and runs down to the outer collarbone, and it shrugs the shoulder up.
- longissimus thoracis
- The back part of the middle column of erector spinae (longissimus). As its name says it is long, and it straightens the lower and middle back.
- erector spinae
- The group of long muscles up both sides of the spine that straighten the back and hold the body upright. Lie face down and lift your back a little, and they bulge as thick cords on each side.
- spinous process
- The bony spike sticking backward from the middle of each spine bone. The row of bumps you feel down the middle of the back is these, and they serve as the counting marks for back points.
3Before you press
- Do not bear down hard on the spine or ribs with an elbow or a tool.
- Avoid broken or swollen skin and press only to a comfortable level.
- Acupressure is not a substitute for medical care.
4How has it been used traditionally?
- Named for the Governing Vessel; a later addition to the back-shu line — a classification, not a claim of effect.
From traditional texts — not a claim of effect.
?FAQ
Where exactly is Dushu?
Upper back, 1.5 cun out from the back midline at the level of T6. The level is set by the lower edge of the T6 spinous process.
How do I find Dushu?
Find T7, level with the lower tips of the shoulder blades (arms hanging). The spinous process just above it is T6. Take the height of the lower edge of that spinous process. Press 1.5 cun out from the midline, over the erector spinae muscle. With the arms hanging, the midline-to-shoulder-blade distance (to its inner border) is 3 cun, or 6 cun between the two; this is half of it. it is level with Yixi (BL45) and, on the midline, with Lingtai (GV10).
What should I watch out for?
Do not bear down hard on the spine or ribs with an elbow or a tool. Avoid broken or swollen skin and press only to a comfortable level. Acupressure is not a substitute for medical care.
Sources
- Location: WHO Standard Acupuncture Point Locations in the Western Pacific Region (2008), p. 107
- Standard comparison: Chinese national standard GB/T 12346-2021 (Nomenclature and location of meridian points), p. 17 — same location
- Korean anatomical terms: KMLE medical dictionary
- Traditional-use cross-check: AcuAtlas dataset (CC BY 4.0)
- Not in the 1.5-cun back lists of Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing vol. 3 or Qianjin Yaofang — a later addition (first source still to be confirmed)
- 3D: computed on Z-Anatomy (CC BY-SA 4.0) · BodyParts3D © DBCLS
Positions computed from the WHO standard locations (2008) on Z-Anatomy (CC BY-SA 4.0) · BodyParts3D © DBCLS. For reference only — not a substitute for diagnosis or treatment. See a clinician if you are unwell.