Tian Tu: TCM Acupoint Guide

Name

Tian Tu (CV-22)

Location

Half a cun above the suprasternal notch, in the middle of the depression.

In the center of the supraclavicular fossa.

On the midline, in the center of the suprasternal fossa, half a cun superior to the suprasternal notch.

Needling

• Transverse insertion: first insert perpendicularly to a depth of 0.2 to 0.4 cun, then direct the needle downward along the posterior side of the manubrium sterni, anterior to the trachea, approximately 1 to 1.5 cun. Sensation: local distention and soreness, with a constricted sensation around the pharynx.
• Straight insertion 0.3 to 0.5 cun. Sensation: local distention and soreness.
• First puncture perpendicularly 0.2 cun, then insert the needle tip downward along the posterior aspect of the sternum, 0.5 to 1 cun.
• Perpendicular insertion 0.3 cun.
• With the neck extended, needle first perpendicularly 0.2 to 0.3 cun, then direct the needle inferiorly along the posterior border of the manubrium of the sternum, 0.5 to 1 cun.

Caution: when making the transverse insertion, avoid inserting the needle too deeply, to avoid puncturing the aorta or the anonyma arteries. An excessively deep straight insertion will puncture the trachea. Avoid straying too far to the right or left, particularly in cases of emphysema, where the needle may puncture the lung or the subclavian artery. Moxibustion is applicable.

Command functions

• Window of the Sky (Window of Heaven) point
• Intersection point of the Yin Wei channel

Actions

• Facilitates and regulates lung qi
• Cools the throat
• Cleans the voice
• Stimulates the descending function of lung qi
• Resolves phlegm
• Clears heat
• Stops cough and wheezing
• Benefits the throat and voice
• Soothes asthma

Indications

Lung and chest

• Bronchial asthma
• Bronchitis
• Acute and chronic asthma
• Asthma and dyspnea preventing sleep
• Cough
• Coughing fits
• Whooping cough
• Sudden dyspnea
• Inability to breathe
• Rebellious qi with cough
• Chest pain radiating to the back with labored breathing
• Fullness or obstruction in the chest
• Obstruction of qi with heart pain
• Sudden hoarseness

Throat, larynx and voice

• Pharyngitis
• Goiter
• Spasms of the esophagus
• Diseases of the vocal cords
• Common cold with a sore and swollen throat
• Rattling sound in the throat
• Accumulation of phlegm in the throat
• Plum-pit qi stagnation
• Ulcerations of the throat which prevent eating
• Cracked voice
• Inability to speak
• Aphonia
• Sudden loss of voice with lockjaw
• Loss of voice
• Hoarse voice like the sound of a duck
• Cough that reaches the voice
• Swollen larynx
• Tonsillitis
• Mumps
• Cervical adenitis
• Sore throat
• Swollen, painful throat
• Dryness or swelling of the throat with inability to swallow food
• Difficulty swallowing
• Tongue stiffness
• Spasms of the muscles of the voice

Head, face and neck

• Swelling of the neck
• Chills and fever
• Urticaria
• Facial pain
• Heat sensation of the skin of the face
• Red face
• Facial blood congestion
• Face very hot
• Heat in the face with sensation of energy rising to the top of the body
• Swelling of the back of the neck and shoulder
• Nodular growths on the neck
• Thyroid hypertrophy

Digestive

• Hiccups
• Nervous vomiting
• Vomiting
• Vomiting and diarrhea in cholera
• Esophageal constriction
• Much spittle
• Jaundice
• Intestinal parasites

Miscellaneous

• Depression
• Hysteria with loss of voice or hiccups
• Tendency to sleep
• Epistaxis
• Purple-green veins beneath the tongue
• Lung abscess
• Lung abscess with purulent bloody coughing
• Coughing with blood and pus in the sputum
• Cough with expectoration of phlegm and foam
• Lung and throat mucus
• Spasms of the diaphragm
• Early stages of tumors or growths on the neck
• Cerebral tumor
• Sensation of acidity at the level of the heart
• Pain of the heart and back
• Pain of the heart with shortness of breath
• Heavy wheezing
• Heart attack

Combinations

Notes

Tian Tu stimulates the descending of lung qi and is widely used to treat cough and asthma. It is said to be indicated for thyroid problems, hunger, eye troubles, hearing problems, nasal problems and frustration, and is also said to be good for drug addiction. It suits someone who does not want to converse.