Shendao (GV11)
Shendao (GV11), “Spirit Way”, is a point on the Du Mai (Governing Vessel). It is point 11 of the 27 on the channel. Calms the Shen, tonifies the Heart and sharpens the memory.
Location
In the back, in the depression below the T5 spinous process, on the posterior median line.
Functions according to tradition
Calms the Shen, tonifies the Heart and sharpens the memory.
Traditional indications
- Palpitations
- Anxiety
- Poor memory
- Insomnia
- Back pain
Indications described by tradition; they do not amount to proven clinical effectiveness for each one.
Precautions
Needle obliquely upward between the spinous processes, without forcing the depth.
Points on other channels with similar indications
They share several traditional indications with this point. Comparing them helps understand why one or the other is chosen.
- BL15 Xinshu (Bladder): Anxiety, Insomnia, Palpitations, Poor memory
- HT7 Shenmen (Heart): Anxiety, Insomnia, Palpitations, Poor memory
- PC6 Neiguan (Pericardium): Anxiety, Insomnia, Palpitations
- CV14 Juque (Ren Mai (Conception Vessel)): Anxiety, Insomnia, Palpitations
- EX-HN22 Anmian (Extraordinary points): Anxiety, Insomnia, Palpitations
- BL44 Shentang (Bladder): Anxiety, Palpitations
Point profile
- Code
- GV11
- Pinyin name
- Shén Dào
- Characters
- 神道
- Translation
- Spirit Way
- Meridian
- Du Mai (Governing Vessel)
- Topics
- Heart, Mental, Memory
Health notice. Educational and study content. It describes concepts of Traditional Chinese Medicine and does not replace diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional. Needling, medicinal herbs and invasive techniques must be applied by trained professionals. Safety guide.
