ACUPUNCTURE
Zhong Zhu: TCM Acupoint Guide
Name
Zhong Zhu (Zhongzhu)
Location
On the dorsum of the hand, between the fourth and fifth metacarpal bones, in the hollow proximal to the fourth metacarpophalangeal joint. Note: with the fist clenched, the point lies at the apex of the equilateral triangle formed by this point and the prominences of the metacarpophalangeal joints of the ring and little fingers.
Needling
- Straight insertion, or slanted toward the wrist, 1 to 1.5 cun. Sensation: local distention and soreness, sometimes extending to the fingertips or forearm, or an electric, numb sensation reaching the fingertips.
- Perpendicular or oblique insertion directed proximally, 0.5 to 1 cun.
- Puncture perpendicularly, 0.3 to 0.5 cun.
- Moxibustion is applicable.
Command Functions
- Shu-stream, transporting, point
- Wood point
- Mother point
- Tonification point
Actions
- Facilitates the circulation of qi
- Benefits the ears
- Clears Heat
- Clears the head and eyes
- Activates the channel
- Alleviates pain
- Expels Wind
- Lifts the Mind
- Rules disorders of the back and shoulders
Indications
- Deaf-mutism
- Tinnitus
- Deafness
- Headache
- Pain in the shoulder, scapula and back
- Intercostal neuralgia
- Malarial disorders
- Fever with sweating
- Dizziness
- Febrile disease without sweat
- Vertigo with headache
- Alternating raging and subsiding fevers
- Pain in the middle of the back
- Excess Heat in one part of the body and Cold in another
- Earache
- One-sided headache
- Pain in the temples
- Superficial visual obstruction
- Numbness of the lower limbs
- Pain of the spine at the level of the Heart
- Mood swings
- Depression
- Acute sprain of the lower lumbar area
- Pharynx and larynx swollen and painful
- Arthritis of the fingers
- Motor impairment of the fingers
- White membrane covering the conjunctiva
- Torticollis
- Pain and weakness in the shoulder, back, elbow and arm
- Inability to bend fingers
- Blurred vision
- Redness and pain of the eyes
- Sore throat
- Febrile diseases
- Pain in the elbow and arm
- Conjunctivitis
- Otitis media
- Blocked ears due to altitude change
- Nasal congestion
- Dry throat
- Throat Bi
- Itching of the body and face
- Red face
- Red face with absence of sweating
- Febrile disease with headache
- Chills and fever
- Aversion to Wind and Cold
- Chronic malaria
- Mania
- Frontal headaches
- Upper arm neuralgia
- Upper arm myositis
- Neuralgia of the shoulder and scapula
- One-sided acute lumbar sprain, needle on the same side
- Hypertension
Combinations
| Points | Indications |
|---|---|
| SJ-21 Ermen, SJ-17 Yifeng | Tinnitus and deafness |
| SJ-2 Yemen | Red and swollen arm |
| LI-1 Shangyang, GB-40 Qiuxu | Chronic tidal fevers |
| KI-3 Taixi | Swollen throat |
| GB-15 Toulinqi | Visual dizziness |
| SI-17 Tianrong, SI-19 Tinggong, GB-2 Tinghui | Deafness and tinnitus |
| SI-19 Tinggong, GB-2 Tinghui, SJ-21 Ermen, DU-20 Baihui, UB-8 Luoque, LI-5 Yangxi, SI-2 Qiangu, SI-3 Houxi, SI-4 Wangu, SJ-2 Yemen, LI-1 Shangyang, UB-23 Shenshu | Tinnitus |
| SJ-5 Waiguan, SJ-22 Erheliao, GB-2 Tinghui, SI-19 Tinggong, LI-4 Hegu, LI-1 Shangyang, PC-9 Zhongchong | Deafness |
| SJ-1 Guanchong, SJ-2 Yemen, SI-16 Tianchuang, LI-5 Yangxi | Ear pain, deafness and tinnitus |
| SJ-6 Zhigou, ST-44 Neiting | Throat pain |
| KI-3 Taixi | Swelling of the throat |
| LI-1 Shangyang, GB-40 Qiuxu | Chronic malaria |
| KI-19 Yindu, HT-3 Shaohai, LI-1 Shangyang, LI-3 Sanjian | Malaria with generalized fever |
| SP-3 Taibai | Difficulty defecating |
| LI-11 Quchi, LI-10 Shousanli, SJ-5 Waiguan | Inability to bend the elbow and fingers |
| LI-11 Quchi, SJ-1 Guanchong, LI-10 Shousanli, SI-5 Yanggu, LU-5 Chize | Pain and sometimes Cold of the elbow |
| SI-4 Wangu | Contractions of the five fingers with inability to flex and extend |
| DU-20 Baihui | Depression from Liver Qi Stagnation |
| GB-43 Xiaxi | Shao Yang headache, migraine with Heat symptoms, migraine with tinnitus |
Notes
An important point for ear problems, known as the warm joy point. An extremely effective point for depression. It affects the thyroid and the pancreas, and is used in emergencies for exhaustion. One of the best mental points on the body, with a powerful sedative effect. A good point for acute sprain of the lower lumbar area, needled on the same side. A major distal point for the arms, elbows, shoulders, neck and back; the affected area should be moved while the needle is being manipulated. It may be used in place of SJ-2 Yemen for laryngitis, pharyngitis, red eyes, tinnitus and deafness. This point dispels Heat from the outer canthus of the eye, the side of the head and the throat.
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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