Atlas of Acupuncture

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

Location

Posterior to the ear, between ➞T.B.-17and ➞G.B.-20, pos-

terior to the mastoid process.

How to find

First, locate ➞T.B.-17(directly below the earlobe, in the depres-

sion between the lower jaw and the mastoid process (➞3.1) that

forms when the mouth is open). Next, locate ➞G.B.-20on the

lower border of the occiput, in the depression between the ori-

gins of the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles. Locate

Ex-HN(anmian) approximately midway between these two

points, slightly posterior to the mastoid bone and superior to

➞G.B.-12, in a depression on the lower border of the occiput.

Needling

0.5–1 cun vertically or obliquely towards ➞T.B.-17(yifeng)

or ➞G.B.-20(fengchi).

Actions/Indications

● Calms the shen

Special features

Important calming point for sleeping disorders. This extra point

is not part of the WHO classification of extra points.

Peaceful Sleep ANMIAN Ex-HN

T.B.-17

Ex-HN Mastoid process

(anmian)

Ex-HN-14

(yiming)

G.B.-12

Sternocleidomastoid

Transverse process

of the atlas

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

G.B.-2

G.B.-12

S.I.-17

S.I.-16

L.I.-17

ST-9

T.B.-16

T.B.-17

ST-7

G.B.-20

ST-5 ST-6

S.I.-18

Ren-23 L.I.-18

G.B.-1Ex-HN-5

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

T.B.-23

Ex-HN

(anmian)

Occipital

bone

anmian

Ex-HN-14

(yiming)

G.B.-12

Mastoid process

Transverse cervical

nerve

External jugular vein

Major occipital

nerve

Great auricular

nerve

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