DU-21 (Qian Ding) Before the Vertex

What does DU-21 Qian Ding do?

DU-21 eliminates wind and treats convulsions, and benefits the head — a scalp point just in front of the vertex.

• Eliminates wind and treats convulsions — the wind action, both for wind disturbing the head (headache, dizziness) and for the internal wind of convulsions and epilepsy
• Benefits the head — the general head action, including the eyes and nose

The mirror of DU-19, in front of the vertex. DU-21 sits 1.5 cun in front of DU-20 Bai Hui, the crown point — the forward counterpart of DU-19 Hou Ding behind it. Its name, Qian Ding (“Before the Vertex”), says so. The two flank DU-20 front and back, sharing the wind-and-head action.

“Treats convulsions” — internal wind. In TCM, sudden shaking, spasm and convulsion are “internal wind” — wind arising within, as distinct from external wind invading from outside. A vertex point that eliminates wind is reached for both kinds, which is why DU-21’s indications span ordinary headache and dizziness on one hand and epilepsy and convulsion on the other.

On the name. “Qian Ding” means Before the Vertex — qian in front, ding the vertex or crown. Positional, relative to DU-20.

Source: Sacred Lotus sources & references (channel, action, location and translation records; the DU-19 and DU-20 records queried against our own data), cross-referenced against multiple online sources.

What is DU-21 Qian Ding used for?

DU-21 is used for epilepsy, dizziness, blurred vision, headache at the top of the head, and runny nose. Our own indication record is reproduced here in full.

• Epilepsy
• Dizziness
• Blurring of vision
• Vertical headache (headache at the vertex, the top of the head)
• Rhinorrhoea (runny nose)

Head, eyes and nose — and convulsion. The vertex headache, dizziness and blurred vision are the wind-and-head action at the top of the skull; the runny nose is the head action reaching the nose below; epilepsy is the internal-wind, convulsion action. The vertex headache (pain right at the crown) is the entry most specific to a point at the top of the head.

An honest and necessary note. Epilepsy requires medical diagnosis and management — a first seizure or any change needs assessment, and acupuncture is not a substitute for anticonvulsant care. New, severe, or changed headache requires assessment. Blurred or changed vision requires prompt assessment, as some causes threaten sight. Sudden or severe dizziness warrants assessment. This record documents classical use only.

How it is combined. With DU-20 Bai Hui and DU-19 Hou Ding around the vertex, and with LI-20 Ying Xiang for the nose and Tai Yang (the temple) for the head. All held here.

Source: Sacred Lotus sources & references (indication and action records; the DU-19, DU-20 and LI-20 records queried from our own data), cross-referenced against multiple online sources.

Where is DU-21 Qian Ding located?

DU-21 is on the midline of the top of the head, one and a half cun in front of the crown point DU-20.

• On the midline of the head, on the Governing vessel
• 1.5 cun in front of (anterior to) DU-20 Bai Hui, the crown point
• equivalently, 3.5 cun behind the anterior (front) hairline

Measured from the crown, forward. Fix DU-20 Bai Hui at the crown (on the midline, level with the ear tips), then move 1.5 cun forward along the midline to DU-21. The front-hairline measurement gives an alternative. It sits between DU-20 and DU-22 Xin Hui further forward.

On the name. “Qian Ding” — Before the Vertex, as noted above.

Source: Sacred Lotus sources & references (location and translation records, retained unchanged; the DU-20 and DU-22 records queried from our own data).

• A Manual of Acupuncture (p. 554): At the top of the head on the midline, 1.5 cun directly anterior to Baihui DU-20 and 3.5 cun posterior to the anterior hairline.
• Chinese Acupuncture and Moxibustion (p. 233): 3.5 cun directly above the midpoint of the anterior hairline and 1.5 cun anterior to Baihui (DU-20).

How is DU-21 Qian Ding needled?

Our own record states subcutaneous insertion of 0.3–0.5 inch, with moxibustion applicable — the flat technique the scalp requires. What follows is a neutral record of what the reference literature documents. It is not instruction, and this page does not teach technique.

• Angle and depth as recorded: subcutaneous, 0.3–0.5 inch, threaded flat under the scalp along the skull.
• Moxibustion: recorded as applicable, with the usual care on the haired scalp.
• Regional anatomy: the point lies in the scalp over the skull near the midline; branches of the superficial temporal and supratrochlear vessels and nerves run in the scalp; the superior sagittal sinus lies in the midline within the skull, protected by bone at the recorded depth.

Hazard, stated proportionately. This is a low-hazard point: the skull is immediately beneath, so there is no route into the head at a subcutaneous depth. The scalp is vascular, so bleeding and bruising are common even when harmless. Our record carries no arterial caution at DU-21, and it is not among the nine points that do. (Its forward neighbour DU-22, over the infant fontanelle, does carry an infant contraindication — that belongs to DU-22.)

What is not claimed. No study measuring a safe depth at DU-21 could be located, and none is needed at a subcutaneous depth over bone. No case report naming DU-21 was located.

Source: Sacred Lotus sources & references (needling record, retained unchanged; the nine arterial cautions and the DU-22 infant caution queried from our own data), cross-referenced against multiple online sources; regional anatomy from standard anatomical description.

Is there research on DU-21, and what should a reader know?

No trial isolates DU-21. Where the point appears it is one component of a headache or scalp protocol, and a study that includes a point in a protocol is not evidence about that point.

What this page can state with confidence. DU-21 Qian Ding (“Before the Vertex”) is a Governing-vessel scalp point 1.5 cun in front of the crown point DU-20, the forward mirror of DU-19 behind it. It eliminates wind, treats convulsions (internal wind) and benefits the head — its indications spanning vertex headache, dizziness, blurred vision, runny nose and epilepsy. It is needled subcutaneously over the skull.

A safety note. Epilepsy and changed vision are matters for medical care; this page records classical use and says so.

A note on searching for it. “DU 21”, “GV 21” and “Qianding” searches return protocol trials and unrelated material. Any claim attached to this point should be checked against what a study actually used.

Source: Sacred Lotus sources & references (action, indication and location records; the DU-19, DU-20 and DU-22 records queried, against our own data).