ACUPUNCTURE
Tian Zhu: TCM Acupoint Guide
Name
Tian Zhu (Tianzhu)
Location
1.3 cun lateral to the midpoint of the posterior hairline, in the depression on the lateral aspect of the trapezius muscle, 1.3 cun lateral to DU-15 Yamen. Note: first locate DU-16 Fengfu directly below the occipital protuberance, then DU-15 Yamen 0.5 cun below it in the depression 0.5 cun within the hairline, then UB-10 Tianzhu 1.3 cun lateral to DU-15 Yamen.
Needling
- Straight insertion, 0.5 to 1 cun. Sensation: local distention and soreness, sometimes extending to the top of the head.
- Caution: do not point the needle upward where it might puncture the medulla oblongata.
- Puncture perpendicularly, 0.5 to 0.8 cun.
Command Functions
- Window of Heaven point
- Sea of Qi point
Actions
- Expels Wind
- Pacifies Wind
- Regulates qi
- Benefits the head and sensory orifices
- Clears the Brain
- Opens the orifices
- Soothes the sinews
- Removes obstruction from the channel
- Brightens the eyes
- Invigorates the lower back
- Calms the Shen
- Alleviates pain
Indications
- Occipital headache
- Vertical headache
- Stiff neck
- Wind-Cold headache
- Occipital headache due to Liver Wind
- Stimulates memory and concentration
- Bilateral acute lower back ache
- Pharyngitis
- Fever
- Epilepsy
- Glaucoma
- Head Wind
- Bursting eye pain
- Redness of the eyes
- Blurred vision
- Lachrymation
- Swelling of the throat with difficulty speaking
- Nasal congestion
- Loss of the sense of smell
- Febrile disease with anhidrosis
- Seizures
- Dim vision
- Ataxia
- Traumatic neck injuries
- Lower extremity weakness
- Weakness of the feet
- Pain in the shoulder and back
- Flank pain
- Vertigo
- Heaviness and pain of the head
- Torticollis
- Nasal obstruction
- Sore throat
- Neck rigidity
- Dizziness
- Inability of the legs to support the body
- Sudden muscular contractions
- Pain of the body
- Mania
- Incessant talking
- Seeing ghosts
- Childhood epilepsy
- Upward staring eyes
- Schizophrenia
- Hysteria
- Neurasthenia
- Asthma
- Cold-predominant Bi
- Whiplash
- Dyspnea with chest pain
Combinations
| Points | Indications |
|---|---|
| DU-13 Taodao, UB-11 Dazhu, LU-6 Kongzui, SI-3 Houxi | Headache |
| GB-19 Naokong, DU-20 Baihui | Head Wind |
| DU-23 Shangxing, GB-20 Fengchi | Dizziness |
| DU-13 Taodao, UB-60 Kunlun | Visual dizziness, dizziness of vision with bursting eye pain |
| SI-6 Yanglao | Blurred vision, pain of the shoulder as if it were broken |
| UB-65 Shugu | Stiff neck with great aversion to Wind |
| LIV-2 Xingjian | Inability of the legs to support the body |
| GB-13 Benshen, DU-21 Qianding, DU-22 Xinhui | Childhood fright epilepsy |
| M-UE-24 Luozhen | Stiff neck |
| LI-11 Quchi | Pharyngitis, chronic cough |
Notes
An important point to expel both Interior and Exterior Wind from the head, and a major point for occipital or vertical headache.
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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