Points of the Hand Shaoyang Sanjiao channel

There are 23 bilateral points on the sanjiao channel: 13 on the lateral aspect of the upper limbs, 10 on the neck and the lateral aspect of the head. The first is on the ring fnger, SJ 1 (guān chōng); the last is at the lateral end of the eyebrow, SJ 23 (sī zhú kōng). Points of this channel treat disorders of the chest, hypochondrium, head, ear, eye, pharynx, larynx, heat diseases, and disorders of the running course.

SJ 1 (Guān Chōng, 关冲)

Jing-well point

Location. On the lateral aspect of the ring finger 0.1 cun from the corner of the nail at the intersection of a vertical line along the ulnar side of the nail and a horizontal line along the base of the nail (Pic. 3-67).

Actions. Clear heat and resolve toxins, awaken the spirit and open the orifices, and invigorate blood and unblock collaterals.

Indications. Dizziness, red eyes, jaw pain, nebula in the eyes, blurred vision, deafiness, tinnitus, folding tongue, dry mouth, pharyngitis; other head, face, and five sensory organ disorders; heat diseases; summerheat stroke.

Manipulation. Acupuncture: 1. Needle shallowly to a depth of 0.1~0.3 cun. Local distending pain will be felt. 2. Bleed with a three-edged needle. Moxibustion: Use 3~5 cones of cone moxibustion or use a moxa stick for 5~10 minutes.

Precautions. Use caution in pregnant women. Scarring moxibustion is forbidden.

Annotation. The point appeared in The Spiritual Pivot-Fundamental Points (Líng Shū-BěnShū, 灵枢·本输). Guān means main gate. This is the jing-well point of the hand shaoyang channel where shaoyang qi goes in and out. Hand jueyin channel qi flows into the hand shaoyang channel here, and the point is between HT 9 (shào chōng) and PC 9 (zhōng chōng), so it is called guān chōng, gushing gate.

SJ 2 (Yè Mén, 液门)

Ying-spring point

Location. On the dorsum of the hand in the depression superior to the web between the ring and little fngers at the border between the red and white fesh (Pic. 3-67).

Actions. Release the exterior, clear heat, unblock the collaterals, and relieve pain.

Indications. Red eyes, deafiness, tinnitus, swollen pharynx, toothache and decay; other heat conditions of the head, face, and fve sensory organs; malaria; redness and swelling of the dorsum of the hand, myospasm of the hand.

Manipulation. Acupuncture: 1. Needle perpendicularly 0.3~0.5 cun. Local distending pain can spread to the dorsum of the hand. 2. Needle slightly toward the wrist and manipulate the needle continuously; the needling sensation can spread to the elbow along the sanjiao channel. Moxibustion: Use 3~5 cones of cone moxibustion, or use warming needle moxibustion for 20 minutes, or a moxa stick for 5~10 minutes.

Precautions. Scarring moxibustion is forbidden.

Annotation. The point appeared in The Spiritual Pivot-Fundamental Points (Líng Shū-Běn Shū,灵枢·本输). It is the ying-spring point of the sanjiao channel and belongs to water, as the sanjiao is the sluice for water. The point is in the depression between the little and ring fngers, which separate like a gate, so it was named yè mén, water gate.

SJ 3 (Zhōng Zhǔ, 中渚)

Shu-stream point

Location. On the dorsum of the hand between the fourth and fifth metacarpal bones in the depression proximal to the fourth metacarpophalangeal joint (Pic. 3-67).

Actions. Clear heat and unblock the collaterals, and improve vision and intelligence.

Indications. Headache, red eyes, deafiness, tinnitus, pharyngitis; other head, face, and five sensory organ disorders; febrile diseases; elbow pain, arm pain, inability to move the fngers.

Manipulation. Acupuncture: 1. Needle perpendicularly 0.3~0.5 cun. Local soreness and distention will be felt, and an electric-like numbness can spread to the fnger tip. 2. Needle obliquely upward 0.5~1.0 cun. Local soreness and distending pain can spread to the wrist. Moxibustion: Use 3~5 cones of cone moxibustion, or use warming needle moxibustion for 20 minutes, or use a moxa stick for 5~10 minutes.

Precautions. Scarring moxibustion is forbidden.

Annotation. The point appeared in The Spiritual Pivot-Fundamental Points (Líng Shū-BěnShū, 灵枢·本输). Zhǔ means small island. The point is the shu-stream point of the sanjiao channel and belongs to water. The waterway of the sanjiao is like a river; channel qi flows to this point and lingers here, as if there were a small island in the river; hence the name zhōng zhǔ, middle island.

SJ 4 (Yáng Chí, 阳池)

Yuan-source point of the sanjiao

Location. On the lateral aspect of the wrist in the depression ulnar to the extensor digitorum tendon on the dorsal wrist crease (Pic. 3-67).

Actions. Harmonize the exterior and interior, boost yin and increase fuids.

Indications. Headache, dizziness, tinnitus, deafiness, eye pain, sore throat, neck pain; other head, face, and fve sensory organ disorders; consumptive thirst, vexation, depression, dry mouth; shoulder and arm pain, inability to lift the arm, pain and weakness of the wrist, redness and swelling of the wrist, inability to bend and stretch the wrist joint.

Manipulation. Acupuncture: 1. Needle perpendicularly 0.3~0.5 cun; the point may be threaded to PC 7 (dà líng). Local soreness and distending pain can spread to the middle finger. 2. Needle transversely 0.5~1.0 cun left and right; local soreness and distending pain can spread to the wrist. Moxibustion: Use 3~5 cones of cone moxibustion, or use warming needle moxibustion for 20 minutes, or use a moxa stick for 3~5 minutes.

Precautions. Scarring moxibustion is forbidden in order to avoid affecting movement of the wrist.

Annotation. The point appeared in The Spiritual Pivot-FundamentalPoints (Líng Shū-Běn Shū, 灵枢·本输). It is located in a depression on the dorsum of the wrist, which belongs to yang. The yuan-source point of sanjiao, it holds the qi from SJ 3 (zhōng zhǔ). The depression at the point is like a pool, so the point is called yáng chí, yang pool.

SJ 5 (Wài Guān, 外关)

Luo-connecting point; confluence point of the yangwei mai

Location. On the lateral aspect of the forearm in the interosseous space midway between the radius and the ulna, 2 cun proximal to the dorsal wrist crease (Pic. 3-68).

Location.Method. The point is opposite PC 6 (nèi guān).

Actions. Release the exterior, clear heat, unblock channels, and quicken collaterals.

Indications. Febrile diseases, cough, mumps, common cold, other externally contracted disorders; headache, tinnitus, cheek pain, nosebleed, dental pain, red eyes, eye swelling and pain; other head, face, and fve sensory organ disorders; acute convulsion; abdominal pain, constipation, acute appendicitis, cholera, other stomach and intestinal disorders; chest and hypochondrial pain, shoulder pain, limited fexion and extension of the elbow and arm, hand tremors, other disorders of the running course.

Manipulation. Acupuncture: 1. Needle perpendicularly 0.5~1.0 cun or thread to PC 6 (nèiguān). Local soreness and distending pain will be felt and can spread to the fingertip. 2. Needle obliquely upward 1.5~2.0 cun. Local soreness and distending pain can spread to the elbow, shoulder, and trunk. 3. Angle the needle toward SJ 4 (yáng chí) to treat wrist disorders. Moxibustion: Use 3~5 cones of cone moxibustion, or use warming needle moxibustion for 20 minutes, or use a moxa stick for 10~20 minutes.

Precautions. Do not stimulate strongly.

Annotation. The point appeared in The Spiritual Pivot-Fundamental Points (Líng Shū-Běn Shū,灵枢·本输). It is the luo-connecting point of the hand shaoyang channel and associates with the yangwei mai, which connects all the yang channels. Wài means lateral; guān means gate, so the point is called wài guān.

SJ 6 (Zhī Gōu, 支沟)

Jing-river point

Location. On the lateral aspect of the forearm at the midpoint of the interosseous space between the radius and the ulna, 3 cun proximal to the dorsal wrist crease (Pic. 3-68).

Actions. Release the exterior, clear heat, unblock channels, and quicken collaterals.

Indications. Constipation; febrile diseases; deafiness, tinnitus, red eyes, swollen and painful eyes, sudden hoarseness, locked jaw; other head, face, and fve sensory organ disorders; cough, qi counterflow, heart pain, chest and hypochondrial pain, other heart and chest disorders; shoulder and arm soreness and pain, inability to lift the arm.

Manipulation. Acupuncture: Needle perpendicularly 0.5~1.0 cun. Local soreness and distending pain can spread up to the elbow. Sometimes numbness and an electric-like shock radiates to the tip of the fngers. Moxibustion: Use 3~5 cones of cone moxibustion, or use warming needle moxibustion for 30 minutes, or use a moxa stick for 10~20 minutes.

Precautions. Avoid strong stimulation.

Annotation. The point appeared in The Spiritual Pivot-Fundamental Points (Líng Shū-Běn Shū,灵枢·本输). Zhī means limbs; gōu means ditch. The point is on the forearm between the ulna and radius where channel qi moves between the two bones like water flowing in a ditch; hence the name zhī gōu, limb ditch.

Modern clinical observation and research. In a study comparing EA at SJ 6 (zhī gōu) to that at a non-acupoint, functional constipation patients were treated for 4 weeks; follow up was performed one and three months after the end of treatment. Clinical symptoms and colonic transmission time were significantly improved in the SJ 6 group compared to control (P<0.001); western medicine use was reduced.¹

1 Zhang ZL, Ji XQ, Zhao SH, Li P, Zhang WZ, et al. A multi-center randomized controlled trial of qi constipation treated with electroacupuncture on SJ 6 (zhī gōu) 电针支沟穴治疗便秘之气秘多中心随机对照研究. Chinese Acupuncture ＆Moxibustion. 2007; 27(7): 475-8.

SJ 7 (Huì Zōng, 会宗)

Xi-cleft point

Location. On the lateral aspect of the forearm radial to the ulna and 3 cun proximal to the dorsal wrist crease (Pic. 3-68).

Actions. Clear heat, calm the spirit, improve hearing, and unblock collaterals.

Indications. Deafiness, tinnitus; elbow and arm pain.

Manipulation. Acupuncture: Needle perpendicularly 0.5~1.0 cun. Local soreness and distending pain will be felt. Moxibustion: Use 3~5 cones of cone moxibustion, or use warming needle moxibustion for 20 minutes, or use a moxa stick for 5~10 minutes.

Annotation. The point appeared in The Systematic Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion (Zhēn Jiŭ Jiă Yĭ Jīng, 针灸甲乙经). Sanjiao channel qi gathers at this point from SJ 6 (zhī gōu) and flows into SJ 8 (sān yáng luò). A branch here connects the qi of the three yang channels, mirroring the development of things from root to branch and giving the point its name, huì zōng, meeting and gathering.

SJ 8 (Sān Yáng Luò, 三阳络)

Location. On the lateral aspect of the forearm at the midpoint of the interosseous space between the radius and the ulna, 4 cun proximal to the dorsal wrist crease (Pic. 3-68).

Location.method. With palm down, the point is at the junction of the upper 2/3 and lower 1/3 of a line connecting SJ 4 (yáng chí) and the tip of the elbow.

Actions. Unblock channels and quicken the collaterals, improve voice and hearing.

Indications. Sudden hoarseness, deafiness, lower toothache, eye disorders; other five sensory organ disorders; hand and arm pain.

Manipulation. Acupuncture: 1. Needle perpendicularly 0.5~1.0 cun. Local soreness and distending pain can spread to the elbow. 2. Needle obliquely 2.0~3.0 cun toward PC 4 (xìmén); numbness and distending pain will be felt in the forearm and can spread to the fingertip. Moxibustion: Use 3~5 cones of cone moxibustion, or use warming needle moxibustion for 20 minutes, or use a moxa stick for 5~10 minutes.

Annotation. The point appeared in The Systematic Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion (ZhēnJiŭ Jiă Yĭ Jīng, 针灸甲乙经). The three hand yang channels gather at this point, so it is called sānyáng luò, three hand yang channel gathering.

SJ 9 (Sì Dú, 四渎)

Location. On the lateral aspect of the forearm at the midpoint of the interosseous space between the radius and the ulna, 5 cun distal to the prominence of the olecranon (Pic. 3-68).

Actions. Improve hearing, relieve pain and sore throat.

Indications. Sudden hoarseness, deafiness, lower jaw toothache, eye disorders; other fve sensory organ disorders; hand and arm pain.

Manipulation. Acupuncture: Needle perpendicularly 0.5~1.0 cun. Local soreness and distending pain can spread to the elbow and the dorsum of the hand. Moxibustion: Use 3~5 cones of cone moxibustion, or use warming needle moxibustion for 20 minutes, or use a moxa stick for 5~10 minutes.

Annotation. The point appeared in The Systematic Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion (ZhēnJiŭ Jiă Yĭ Jīng, 针灸甲乙经). Dú means river. Sì dú means four rivers. The sanjiao channel is as full of water as four rivers; hence its name.

SJ 10 (Tiān Jǐng, 天井)

He-sea point

Location. On the lateral aspect of the elbow in the depression 1 cun proximal to the prominence of the olecranon (Pic. 3-69).

Actions. Move qi and dissipate masses, calm the spirit and quicken collaterals.

Indications. Deafiness; epilepsy; scrofula, goiter; hand and arm pain.

Manipulation. Acupuncture: Needle perpendicularly 0.5~1.0 cun. Local soreness and distending pain will be felt. Moxibustion: Use 3~5 cones of cone moxibustion, or use warming needle moxibustion for 20 minutes, or use a moxa stick for 10~20 minutes. Scarring moxibustion is forbidden.

Annotation. The point appeared in The Spiritual Pivot-FundamentalPoints (Líng Shū-Běn Shū, 灵枢·本输); the he-sea point of the hand shaoyang channel, it belongs to earth. Jǐng means well. The point is in a deep, well-like depression; hence the name tiān jǐng, heaven’s well.

SJ 11 (Qīng Lěng Yuān, 清冷渊)

Location. On the lateral aspect of the arm 2 cun proximal to the prominence of the olecranon on a line connecting the prominence and the acromial angle (Pic. 3-69).

Actions. Clear heat, dissipate wind, unblock channels, and quicken collaterals.

Indications. Arm pain, headache, stiff neck, other pain symptoms.

Manipulation. Acupuncture: Needle perpendicularly 0.5~1.0 cun. Local soreness and distending pain will be felt. Moxibustion: Use 3~5 cones of cone moxibustion, or use warming needle moxibustion for 20 minutes, or use a moxa stick for 5~10 minutes.

Annotation. The point appeared in The Systematic Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion (ZhēnJiŭ Jiă Yĭ Jīng, 针灸甲乙经). Qīng lěng means cold; yuān means deep pool. The point is 1 cun above SJ 10 (tiān jǐng) in a depression like a deep pool, and it treats headache, shivering, frozen shoulder, and other cold symptoms, so it is called qīng lěng yuān, cold deep pool.

SJ 12 (Xiāo Luò, 消泺)

Location. On the lateral aspect of the arm 5 cun proximal to the prominence of the olecranon on a line connecting the prominence with the acromial angle (Pic. 3-69).

Location.method. With the patient sitting upright, shoulder dropped, and forearm prone, SJ 12 is at the midpoint of a line between SJ 13 (nào huì), the humerus, and SJ 11 (qīng lěng yuān).

Actions. Clear heat and awaken the spirit, unblock channels, and relieve pain.

Indications. Headache, painful and stiff neck, arm pain, toothache, other pain disorders.

Manipulation. Acupuncture: Needle perpendicularly 0.8~1.2 cun. Local soreness and distending pain will be felt. Moxibustion: Use 3~5 cones of cone moxibustion, or use warming needle moxibustion for 20 minutes, or use a moxa stick for 5~10 minutes.

Annotation. The point appeared in The Systematic Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion (ZhēnJiŭ Jiă Yĭ Jīng, 针灸甲乙经). Xiāo means disperse; Luò is the name of a river. Here sanjiao channel qi flows, like water into a lake, into a shallow depression where the triceps brachii is located, so the point is called xiāo luò, dispersing riverbed.

SJ 13 (Nào Huì, 臑会)

Intersecting point of the hand yangming, hand shaoyang, and yangwei channels

Location. On the lateral aspect of the arm posteroinferior to the border of the deltoid muscle and 3 cun inferior to the acromial angle (Pic. 3-69).

Actions. Dissolve phlegm, dissipate masses, unblock channels, and relieve pain.

Indications. Scrofula, goiter, upper limb pain.

Manipulation. Acupuncture: Needle perpendicularly 1.0~1.5 cun. Local soreness and distending pain or numbness and electric-like shock can spread to the shoulder. Moxibustion: Use 3~5 cones of cone moxibustion, or use warming needle moxibustion for 20 minutes, or use a moxa stick for 10~20 minutes.

Annotation. The point appeared in The Systematic Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion (ZhēnJiŭ Jiă Yĭ Jīng, 针灸甲乙经). Nào means upper arm; huì means convergence. The point is on the upper arm and is the intersecting point of the hand shaoyang and yangwei mai, so it is called nào huì, upper arm convergence.

SJ 14 (Jiān Liáo, 肩髎)

Location. On the shoulder girdle in the depression between the acromial angle and the greater tubercle of the humerus (Pic. 3-69).

Location.method. There are two depressions on the lateral border of the acromion when the arm is abducted: the anterior one is LI 15 (jiān yú); the posterior, SJ 14. SJ 14 is 1 cun posterior to LI 15 when the shoulder is dropped (Pic. 3-70).

Actions. Dispel wind damp, and unblock channels and collaterals. Indications. Scapula swelling and pain, shoulder and arm pain, goiter, scrofula.

Manipulation. Acupuncture: 1. Needle perpendicularly 1.5~ 2.0 cun: ask the patient to abduct the arm; insert the needle between the acromion and the greater tuberosity. The needle may be threaded to HT 1 (jí quán). Soreness and distending pain can spread through the joint cavity, or numbness and an electric-like shock can spread downward. 2. Needle obliquely 2.0~3.0 cun downward. Withdraw the needle to the superficial level and then needle laterally and medially at an oblique angle; this is known as the ‘valley union needling method’. Soreness and distending pain can spread to the shoulder, and sometimes numbness and an electric-like shock spreads to the fingers. Moxibustion: Use 3~5 cones of cone moxibustion, or use warming needle moxibustion for 20 minutes, or use a moxa stick for 5~15 minutes.

Annotation. The point appeared in The Systematic Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion (ZhēnJiŭ Jiă Yĭ Jīng, 针灸甲乙经). Liáo means bone hollow, foramen. The point is in the depression of the shoulder joint, so it was named jiān liáo, shoulder foramen.

SJ 15 (Tiān Liáo, 天髎)

Intersecting point of the hand shaoyang, foot shaoyang, and yangwei channels

Location. On the shoulder in the depression above the superior angle of the scapula (Pic. 3-71).

Location.method. With the patient sitting upright and the shoulder dropped, the point is at the midpoint of a line connecting GB 21 (jiān jǐng) and SI 13 (qū yuán).

Actions. Unblock channels and relieve pain.

Indications. Shoulder and arm pain, neck pain and stiffiness, vexation, chest fullness.

Manipulation. Acupuncture: Needle perpendicularly 0.5~0.8 cun. Local soreness and distending pain can spread to the scapula. Moxibustion: Use 3~5 cones of cone moxibustion, or use warming needle moxibustion for 20 minutes, or use a moxa stick for 5~10 minutes.

Annotation. The point appeared in The Systematic Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion (ZhēnJiŭ Jiă Yĭ Jīng, 针灸甲乙经). Liáo means bone hollow, foramen; tiān means upper or heaven. The point is in a depression above the scapula, so it is called tiān liáo, heaven’s foramen.

SJ 16 (Tiān Yǒu, 天牖)

Location. In the anterior region of the neck at the level of the angle of the mandible, in the depression posterior to the sternocleidomastoid muscle (Pic. 3-72).

Actions. Clear the head, improve vision, disperse phlegm, and prevent malaria attack.

Indications. Headache, dizziness, swollen face, blurred vision, sudden deafiness, stiff neck; other head, face, and five sensory organ disorders.

Manipulation. Acupuncture: Needle perpendicularly 0.5~1.0 cun. Local soreness and distending pain can spread to the root of the ear. Moxibustion: Use 3~5 cones of cone moxibustion, or use warming needle moxibustion for 20 minutes, or use a moxa stick for 5~10 minutes.

Annotation. The point appeared in The Spiritual Pivot-Fundamental Points (Líng Shū-BěnShū, 灵枢·本输). Tiān means upper or heaven; yǒu means window. The point is used to treat head disorders, and the ears and eyes are like upper windows; hence the name tiān yǒu, heaven’s window.

SJ 17 (Yì Fēng, 翳风)

Intersecting point of the hand and foot shaoyang channels

Location. In the anterior region of the neck posterior to the ear lobe in the depression anterior to the inferior end of the mastoid process (Pic. 3-72).

Actions. Relieve the stuffy orifices and improve hearing, dispel wind and drain heat.

Indications. Tinnitus, deafiness, otopyorrhea (suppurative otitis media), deafiness, muteness, tympanitis/inflammation of the middle ear; facial paralysis, locked jaw, toothache, swollen cheeks, other conditions of face and mouth; scrofula.

Manipulation. Acupuncture: 1. Needle perpendicularly 0.8~1.2 cun; soreness and distending pain behind the ear can spread to the anterior of the tongue and the lateral aspect of the face. This may be used to treat facial paralysis and mumps. 2. Needle obliquely 1.5~2.0 cun medially, anteriorly, and inferiorly. Local soreness and distending pain can spread to the pharynx; tightness and heat will be felt at the pharynx. This may be used to treat deafiness and muteness. Moxibustion: Use 3~5 cones of cone moxibustion, or use warming needle moxibustion for 20 minutes, or use a moxa stick for 5~10 minutes.

Precautions. Scarring moxibustion is forbidden, as is deep needling, which can injure the vagus nerve, causing breathing and heartbeat cessation or abnormality.

Annotation. The point appeared in The Systematic Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion (ZhēnJiŭ Jiă Yĭ Jīng, 针灸甲乙经) and dispels wind. The ear is like a cover that protects the point from wind, so the point is called yì fēng, shielding wind.

Modern clinical observation and research. In a case series on 54 patients with peripheral facial paralysis treated with triple needling at SJ 17 (yì fēng), a needle was inserted anterior-medially into that point and two others respectively 0.5 cun anterior and posterior to it. Qi was obtained; the needles were retained for 30 minutes and manipulated once or twice. Patients were treated once a day, seven days per course, for a maximum of fve courses with two or three days between them. Of 54 cases, 42 fully recovered, 9 showed significant effects.¹

SJ 18 (Chì Mài, 瘈脉)

Location. On the head at the center of the mastoid process at the junction of the upper 2/3 and lower 1/3 of the curved line from SJ 17 (yì fēng) to SJ 20 (jiăo sūn) (Pic. 3-72).

Location.method. The point is level with the orifice of the external auditory meatus on the posterior hairline.

Actions. Extinguish wind, arrest convulsion, quicken collaterals, and relieve stuffy orifices.

Indications. Headache, tinnitus, deafiness, infantile convulsion.

Manipulation. Acupuncture: 1. Needle transversely 0.3~0.5 cun. Local soreness and distending pain will be felt. 2. Bleed with a three-edged needle. Moxibustion: Use 3~5 cones of cone moxibustion, or use a moxa stick for 5~10 minutes, or use burning rush moxibustion.

Annotation. The point appeared in The Systematic Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion (Zhēn Jiŭ Jiă Yĭ Jīng, 针灸甲乙经). Chì means convulsion; mài means collaterals. The point is on the collateral posterior to the ear and may be used to treat infantile convulsion, so it is called chì mài, convulsion collateral.

SJ 19 (Lú Xī, 颅息)

Location. On the head at the junction of the upper 1/3 and lower 2/3 of a curved line from SJ 17 (yìfēng) to SJ 20 (jiăo sūn) (Pic. 3-72).

Actions. Relieve stuffy orifices and pain, suppress fright and extinguish wind.

1 Sun Y, Dou CZ, Wu H. Clinical observation of peripheral facial paralysis treated by triple needling at SJ 17 (yì fēng) 齐刺翳风穴为主治疗周围性面神经麻痹疗效观察. Shanghai Journal of Acupuncture and Moxibustion. 2010; 29(5): 292-3.

Indications. Headache, tinnitus, deafiness, infantile convulsion.

Manipulation. Acupuncture: Needle transversely 0.3~0.5 cun. Local soreness and distending pain will be felt. Moxibustion: Use 3~5 cones of cone moxibustion, or use a moxa stick for 5~10 minutes.

Annotation. The point appeared in The Systematic Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion (ZhēnJiŭ Jiă Yĭ Jīng, 针灸甲乙经). On the skull behind the ear, it treats infantile asthma, so it is called lúxī, skull tranquility.

SJ 20 (Jiǎo Sūn, 角孙)

Intersecting point of the hand and foot shaoyang, hand yangming, and hand taiyang channels

Location. On the head just superior to the auricular apex (Pic. 3-72).

Location.method. Fold the auricle forward; the point is where the auricular apex touches the head.

Actions. Clear heat and dissipate wind, relieve swelling and pain.

Indications. Swelling and pain of ear and eye, red eyes, toothache, headache, stiff neck, other head, neck, and fve sensory organ disorders.

Manipulation. Acupuncture: Needle transversely 0.3~0.5 cun. Local soreness and distending pain will be felt and can spread to the tissues surrounding the ear. Moxibustion: Use 3~5 cones of cone moxibustion, or use a moxa stick for 5~10 minutes, or use burning rush moxibustion.

Annotation. The point appeared in The Spiritual Pivot-Cold and Febrile Diseases (Líng Shū-Hán Rè Bìng, 灵枢·寒热病). Jiǎo means upper corner of the ear; sūn means collateral branch. The point is on the branch of the hand shaoyang channel, so it was named jiǎo sūn, corner collateral.

SJ 21 (Ěr Mén, 耳门)

Location. On the face in the depression between the supratragic notch and the condyloid process (Pic. 3-72).

Location.method. With the mouth slightly open, the point is in the depression of the supratragic notch, 0.5 cun directly above SI 19 (tīng gōng).

Actions. Open the orifices and improve intelligence, dispel wind and unblock collaterals.

Indications. Tinnitus, deafiness, otopyorrhea (suppurative otitis media), other ear disorders; toothache, neck and lower jaw pain.

Manipulation. Acupuncture: 1. Insert obliquely and deeply to 1.5~2.0 cun medially, anteriorly, and inferiorly to treat deafiness. Local soreness and distending pain will be felt. 2. To treat deviation of mouth and eyes, needle 0.5~1.0 cun toward the opposite eyeball; distending pain in the base of the ear will be felt, and soreness and distending pain can spread to the anterior of the tongue. Moxibustion: Use 3~5 cones of cone moxibustion, or use a moxa stick for 10~20 minutes.

Annotation. The point appeared in The Systematic Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion (ZhēnJiŭ Jiă Yĭ Jīng, 针灸甲乙经). Located in front of the supratragic notch like the door of the ear, it treats tinnitus and deafiness, so it was named ěr mén, ear door.

SJ 22 (Ěr Hé Liáo, 耳和髎)

Intersecting point of the hand shaoyang and foot shaoyang channels

Location. On the head posterior to the temple hairline, anterior to the auricular root, and posterior to the superficial temporal artery (Pic. 3-72).

Actions. Dispel wind and unblock collaterals, and relieve swelling and pain.

Indications. Locked jaw, deviation of mouth and eyes, heaviness of the head, headache, tinnitus, swollen jaw, other disorders of the head.

Manipulation. Acupuncture: To avoid penetrating the artery, needle obliquely 0.3~0.5 cun. Local soreness and distending pain will be felt. Moxibustion: Use 3~5 cones of cone moxibustion, or use warming needle moxibustion for 20 minutes, or use a moxa stick for 5~10 minutes.

Annotation. The point appeared in The Systematic Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion (Zhēn Jiŭ Jiă Yĭ Jīng, 针灸甲乙经). Hé means harmonious, and liáo means depression. If the kidney is harmonious, the ear is able to hear the fve tones. The point, located in a depression, can be used to treat ear disorders and regulates hearing, so it is called ěr hé liáo, ear harmonizing foramen.

SJ 23 (Sī Zhú Kōng, 丝竹空)

Location. On the head in the depression at the lateral end of the eyebrow (Pic. 3-72).

Actions. Clear the head and improve vision, and dispel wind and relieve pain.

Indications. Epilepsy; headache, toothache, blurred vision, swollen and painful red eyes, twitching of eyelid, other head and eye disorders.

Manipulation. Acupuncture: 1. Needle transversely 0.5~1.0 cun. 2. Thread to BL 2 (cuán zhú). 3. Bleed with a three-edged needle.

Precautions. Cone moxibustion is forbidden.

Annotation. The point appeared in The Systematic Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion (ZhēnJiŭ Jiă Yĭ Jīng, 针灸甲乙经). Sī means slender eyebrow; zhú implies the eyebrow is like bamboo; kōng means space. The point, at the lateral end of the eyebrow, is called sī zhú kōng, slender bamboo space.