4 Acupuncture Points of the Twelve Primary ChannelsLocation
Anterior to the ear, with the patient’s mouth open in the depres-
sion on the level of the intertragic notch, on the lower border of
the condyloid process of the mandible.How to find
Locate and needle with the patient’s mouth open as this allows
the condyloid process of the mandible to slide towards the
anterior, revealing the depression where G.B.-2is located. Find
the vertical sulcus anterior to the ear (at the ear/cheek junction),
which may be more or less pronounced. Then locate G.B.-2on
the sulcus, on the level of the intertragic notch. If the sulcus is
not clearly defined (it becomes more clearly visible with
increasing age), the depression can be located by using an (ear)
point locator. G.B.-2is the most distal of three points located
anterior to the ear (➞S.I.-19and ➞T.B.-21are both located
more superiorly).Needling
0.5–1 cun vertically or slightly obliquely in an inferior direction.
Needle with the patient’s mouth open to avoid intra-articular inser-
tion. Caution: Like T.B.-21and S.I.-19, this point is located close
to the superficial temporal artery and the auriculotemporal nerve.Actions/Indications
● Eliminates Wind, clears Heat, benefits the ears and the tem-
poromandibular joint
● Opens the channel and the luo-connecting vessel, alleviates
painSpecial features
Important local point for disorders of the ears and the jaw. This
point is often used alternately with T.B.-21and S.I.-19.G.B.-2 Meeting of Hearing TINGHUI
T.B.-17Helix rootT.B.-22
T.B.-21
S.I.-19
G.B.-2AntitragusIntertragic notchTragusSupratragic notchS.I.-19G.B.-2T.B.-21Needle insertion
with the mouth
slightly openTragus
Mouth closed *Mouth open*Styloid
processCondyloid
process of
the mandibleBL-2Ex-HN-4ST-1
ST-2
Ex-HN-8BL-1G.B.-14Ex-HN-7Ex-HN-3T.B.-23ST-7
L.I.-20
L.I.-19 Du-26S.I.-18G.B.-2G.B.-1HelixAntihelixAntitragusLobeHelix rootTragusIntertragic
notchSupratragic
notch* According to Deadman et al 1998.Ch04.11-F10028.qxd 2/23/08 11:23 AM Page 400