"Ling" (靈), spirit; "tai" (台), base. This acupoint is located near heart and is associated with heart-related functions, hence the name.

bubble_chart Location

Lingtai (GV10) acupoint
(adapted from "Meridians and Acupoints")

On the midline of back, in the depression below the spinous process of 6th thoracic vertebra.

• Suwen-Qifu Lun Wang Bing's note: "In the space below 6th vertebral joint." It can also be located at the prominence of spinous process.
• Leijing Tuyi: "When selecting acupoints along governor vessel on spine, they should be located at the prominent points of vertebral joints".

bubble_chart Anatomy

• Muscles: thoracolumbar fascia, supraspinous ligament, and interspinous ligament.
• Nerve: medial branch of posterior branch of 6th thoracic nerve; within spinal canal lies spinal cord.
• Vessel: posterior branch of 6th intercostal artery, interspinous subcutaneous venous plexus.

bubble_chart Manipulation

Insert obliquely 0.5~1 cun, but avoid deep insertion. Alternatively, insert at the prominence of spinous process and direct it downward subcutaneously for 1~2 cun. Moxibustion with moxa cone 3 to 5 times, moxibustion with moxa stick for 15 to 20 minutes.

bubble_chart Efficacy

Clear heart, discharge heat, benefit qi.

• Classical: asthma, chronic cough due to wind-cold, boil and sore, steaming bone due to pulmonary tuberculosis, malaria.
• Modern: malaria, biliary ascariasis, stomach pain.

bubble_chart Combinations

• Asthma: Tiantu (CV22), Lingtai (GV10), Shaochong (HT9).
• Tertian malaria: Lingtai (GV10), Taodao (GV13), Neiguan (PC6).
• Biliary ascariasis: Lingtai (GV10), Yanglingquan (GB34).
• Boil and sore (red-streaked furuncle): Lingtai (GV10), Shenzhu (GV12), Ximen (PC4), Hegu (LI4), Weizhong (BL40).