POINT: DU-15 (GOVERNING VESSEL-15)

English:	Gate of Muteness
Also Known As:	Door of Muteness Gate to Dumbness Mute Door

On the midline at the nape of the neck, in the depression 0.5 cun inferior to DU-16 Fengfu, below the spinous process of the first cervical vertebra (impalpable).
Note: The posterior hairline is measured as one cun inferior to DU-16 Fengfu. Locate DU-15 Yamen at the midpoint, i.e. 0.r cun above the posterior hairline.
Between the spinous processes of of the first and second cervical vertebrae, in the depression 0.5 cun within the hairline at the midpoint of the nape and 0.5 cun below DU-16 Fengfu.

Perpendicular insertion slightly inferiorly, 0.5 to 1 cun.
Traditionally moxibustion is not applicable.
Caution: the spinal canal lies between 1.5 to 2 cun deep to the skin surface, varying according to body build. Deep perpendicular insertion is strictly contraindicated, as is oblique insertion towards the brain.
Straight insertion one to two cun. The needle should be inserted level with the mouth or earlobe, and should not be rotated or otherwise agitated after insertion.
Sensation: local distention. When the needle is inserted too deeply, there will be a strong electric sensation indicating that the spinal cord has been touched. In this case, the needle should be at least partially withdrawn.
Caution: extreme care must be exercised so as to avoid inserting the needle upward into the medulla oblongata, where it could cause death.
Puncture perpendicularly 0.5 to 0.8 cun.

Stiffness of the tongue with inability to speak
Loss of voice
Lotus flower tongue (distention and prominence of Blood vessels beneath the tongue)
Flaccidity of the tongue
Heaviness of the head
Head Wind
Loss of consciousness from Windstroke
Epilepsy
Clonic spasm
Manic-depression
Headache
Deaf-mutism
Seizures
Cerebral palsy
Incomplete maturation of the brain
Hysteria
Convulsions
Mumps
Tinnitus
Sudden loss of voice
Sudden hoarseness of voice
Aphonia
Mutism
Swollen tongue
Stiffness of the tongue preventing speech
Paralysis of the suprahyoid muscle
Mental disorders
Insanity
Loss of consciousness due to cerebral hemorrhage

LU-6 Kongzui	SJ-8 Sanyangluo	SJ-1 Guanchong
Loss of voice	Sudden loss of voice	Flaccidity of the tongue with inability to speak
DU-16 Fengfu	LU-11 Shaoshang LU-10 Yuji LI-2 Erjian PC-9 Zhongchong KI-10 Yingu KI-2 Rangu	DU-14 Dazhui
Windstroke, flaccidity of the tongue and sudden loss of voice Excessive extension of the spine	Stiffness of the tongue	Moxa both points
UB-7 Tongtian UB-59 Fuyang	DU-26 Renzhong SI-3 Houxi ST-40 Fenglong	DU-14 Dazhui M-HN-13 Yiming PC-6 Neiguan ST-36 Zusanli "The Three Vertebral Points"
Heaviness of the head	Seizures	Incomplete maturation of the brain

This point lies directly behind the root of the tongue and has a direct connection.
Its main action is to stimulate speech.