Atlas of Acupuncture

6.1 Extra Points: Head and Neck (EX-HN)

Location

On the temple, in a depression approximately 1 cun lateral to the

midpoint of a line connecting the lateral extremity of the eye-

brow and the outer canthus of the eye.

How to find

On the temple, first, draw a line between the lateral extremity of

the eyebrow and the outer canthus of the eye. Next, palpate from

the midpoint of this line in a lateral direction, until you can feel

a distinct depression in the temporal bone. Ex-HN-5(taiyang)

is located in the centre of this depression. This point tends to be

pressure-sensitive, especially with temporal headaches. Patients

often get relief by using acupressure on this point.

Needling

0.5–0.6 cun vertical insertion into the temporal muscle or

obliquely in a lateral direction or transversely (subcutaneously)

towards ➞G.B.-8.This point often bleeds when needled. Prick

to bleed to drain Heat.

Actions/Indications

● Eliminates Wind, clears Heat, reduces swellings, opens the

channel, alleviates pain

Special features

One of the most important and most commonly used extra points,

especially with headaches

Supreme Yang TAIYANG Ex-HN-5

Lateral Ex-HN-5

canthus

of the eye

Lateral

eyebrow

1 cun

T.B.-21S.I.-19

G.B.-2

T.B.-17 G.B.-12

Ma 7

G.B.-14

G.B.-8

G.B.-20

S.I.-18

T.B.-20

G.B.-1Ex-HN-5

G.B.-11 G.B.-19

T.B.-23

Ex-HN(anmian)

1.5 cun

G.B.-8

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