ACUPUNCTURE
Qiang Jian: TCM Acupoint Guide
QIANGJIAN
Name
Qiang Jian (GV-12)
Location
On the midline at the back of the head, 1.5 cun superior to DU-17 Naohu, midway between DU-16 Fengfu and DU-20 Baihui.
Four cun directly above the midpoint of the posterior hairline.
Needling
- Puncture subcutaneously 0.3 to 0.5 cun.
- Transverse insertion 0.5 to 1 cun.
Moxibustion is applicable.
Actions
- Pacifies Wind and alleviates pain
- Calms the shen
Indications
Head and neck
- Headache, especially headaches that are difficult to endure
- Stabbing pain in the head with an inability to move
- Neck stiffness with an inability to turn the head
- Dizziness with agitation
- Blurred vision
- Shaking of the head
Stomach
- Nausea
- Vomiting of foamy or watery saliva
Mind and spirit
- Insomnia
- Agitation of the heart
- Mania-depression
- Epilepsy and epileptic convulsions
- Mad walking
- Clonic spasm
Combinations
| ST-40 Fenglong | Headaches that are difficult to endure |
| GB-11 Touqiaoyin or GB-44 Zuqiaoyin | Stabbing pain in the head with an inability to move |
| ST-1 Chengqi, ST-2 Sibai, ST-3 Juliao, LI-19 Kouheliao, GB-3 Shangguan, ST-5 Daying, SI-18 Quanliao, GB-20 Fengchi, LI-20 Yingxiang, DU-26 Renzhong | Deviation of the mouth with an inability to speak |
| DU-20 Baihui, UB-6 Chengguan | Agitation of the heart |
| UB-2 Zanzhu, SI-8 Xiaohai, SI-3 Houxi | Epileptic convulsions, mad walking, an inability to sleep and agitation of the heart |
Notes
Classically, this point was primarily prescribed for unendurable stabbing pain in the head.
Sources and further reading
We cite classical materia medica and modern reference works. This article is health education, not medical advice.
- Shennong Bencao Jing (The Divine Farmer's Materia Medica), Han dynasty.
- Bencao Gangmu (Compendium of Materia Medica), Li Shizhen, 1578.
- Chinese Pharmacopoeia, current edition — identity, quality and safety monographs.
- NCCIH and WHO reference material on traditional medicine safety.
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