The Shenting (Spirit Courtyard) pressure point, also known as DU-24, is located on the midline of the forehead, just above the anterior hairline. This point is integral to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and is revered for its ability to calm the mind, relieve anxiety, and clear sensory orifices.
DU-24 is primarily used to treat neurological and emotional disorders. In some traditions, it is also referred to as the “Forehead Brightness Gate” or “Divine Court.” This point lies on the Governing Vessel meridian, which plays a key role in regulating the central nervous system and connecting with yang channels throughout the body.
Key therapeutic uses:
- Reduces anxiety, stress, and mental restlessness
- Supports treatment of insomnia, dizziness, and memory issues
- Aids in relieving sinus congestion and frontal headaches
Summary Table
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Pressure Point Name | DU-24 – Shenting (Spirit Courtyard) |
| Body Area | Head |
| Exact Location | 0.5 cun (about half a thumb width) above the anterior hairline on midline |
| Common Uses | Insomnia, anxiety, dizziness, mental fog, sinus issues |
| Stimulation Technique | Gentle pressure with fingertip for 1–2 minutes |
| Contraindications | Avoid deep pressure on open head wounds; use caution during migraines |
Clinical Significance & Associated Conditions
DU-24 is widely used in clinical practice for its ability to stabilize the shen (spirit), a concept in TCM linked to emotional well-being and mental clarity. It’s indicated for conditions like:
- Generalized anxiety disorder and chronic stress
- Insomnia and dream-disturbed sleep
- Cognitive dysfunction, including poor memory and foggy thinking
- Sinus pressure and nasal congestion
- Dizziness, especially when linked to inner ear or postural issues
Neurologically, DU-24 overlays the frontal cortex, which is associated with executive function, mood regulation, and alertness. Energetically, it helps draw energy upward and balance the upper body qi flow.
Location
You’ll find DU-24 directly midline on the forehead, just above the anterior hairline, approximately half a thumb’s width up from the edge of the hairline at the center. It’s often easier to locate when standing in front of a mirror or with gentle palpation of the skin over the forehead’s bony ridge.
Looking for an easier way to use this point in your wellness routine? This pressure point is simple to locate and even easier to apply when guided step-by-step. It’s featured in over 70 evidence-based pressure point protocols inside our Pressure Points Guide app. Whether you’re looking to calm the mind, improve sleep, or ease sinus tension, the app guides you through every session with visuals and audio. Click here to download our app.
How to Stimulate It
- Tool: Index or middle fingertip
- Pressure: Gentle to moderate, enough to feel slight tenderness or pulsing beneath
- Duration: Hold for 1–2 minutes while breathing deeply
- Frequency: 1–3 times daily, especially before sleep or during stressful moments
- Posture: Sitting upright or lying down, with head supported
Pairing DU-24 with points like Yintang (EX-HN3) or GV-20 can enhance its effects on emotional regulation and sleep.
Benefits and Common Uses
Stimulation of DU-24 supports both physical and mental harmony, with broad applications:
- Mental: Calms overactive thoughts, relieves panic, clears brain fog
- Neurological: May reduce dizziness, headache, and cognitive fatigue
- Respiratory: Assists in decongesting sinuses and opening nasal passages
- Energetic: Promotes upward yang qi balance and spiritual grounding
Physiological Functions & Mechanisms
From a TCM perspective, DU-24:
- Regulates the shen and anchors scattered qi
- Connects the brain with the yang meridians, influencing overall consciousness
- Stimulates the governing vessel, a channel deeply linked with neurological integrity
Modern interpretations suggest it may influence the prefrontal cortex and autonomic regulation, enhancing parasympathetic response and modulating anxiety symptoms.
Practitioner Insight
I’ve often guided people toward DU-24 when they’re feeling overwhelmed or “in their head.” There’s something deeply soothing about gently pressing this point in silence, like drawing a curtain to let light into a cluttered room. I recommend it before bed or during emotional resets, especially when partnered with slow, belly-based breathing.
Safety & Contraindications
- Do not press directly on open wounds, active infections, or surgical sites in the forehead region.
- Use extra caution in cases of migraines, epilepsy, or head trauma; use gentle touch only.
- Avoid use on infants and during seizures
- Always refer to our acupressure safety guide for best practices
- Read more on general acupressure usage
As always, listen to your body and stop if discomfort arises.
Related Points & Techniques
- GV-20 – Baihui (Hundred Meetings) – For mental focus and upward qi regulation
- EX-HN3 – Yintang (Hall of Impression) – Often paired with DU-24 for stress and sleep
- Breathing techniques: 4-7-8 breath, alternate nostril breathing
- Adjuncts: meditation, visualization, soft tapping, aromatherapy (lavender, frankincense)
More sessions with Shenting (Spirit Courtyard) (DU-24) in our Pressure Points Guide App.
Scientific Perspective
Although direct studies on DU-24 are limited, related research supports the use of forehead-based acupoints for:
- Insomnia relief (via modulation of melatonin and parasympathetic activity)
- Stress reduction and cortisol regulation through EEG and heart rate variability shifts
- Frontal cortex stimulation, observed in fMRI studies of acupoints like Yintang and GV points