Triple Burner Meridian
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Needle Depth
0.1–0.2 cun
Needle Angle
45° (Oblique)
Body Area
Fingers
On the lateral side of the ring finger, about 0.1 cun posterior to the corner of the nail.
One of Guanchong TB-1's main function is to expel Exterior Wind and it is used in both the Greater Yang and the Lesser Yang stage of the Six Stage Theory. The typical symptoms are febrile disease, aversion to cold, fever as well as alternation of feeling of cold and heat.
It is also able to clear Heat of the Upper Burner, so as to treat red eye, dry mouth and bitter taste in the mouth.
Another of its function is to benefit the ears, like many other Triple Burner Channel points. TB-1 has impact on the ears via its own Channel as well as Gall Bladder Channel. Both are related within Shao-Yang (Lessor Yang). The conditions are often acute, such as ear infection by Wind-Heat Invasion. Other typical manifestations are ear pain, ear discharge, otitis, ear itching, eczema in the ears, etc.
Many Kidney Channel points are also able to treat ear disorders but the conditions are rather chronic. These points can be stimulated to transport Qi and Essence to the ears to promote good hearing and treat diseases such as slow-onset tinnitus or deafness.
Furthermore, TB-1 is a very effective distal point in removing Obstructions from the Channel, especially for shoulder problems along the Triple Burner Channel.
Finally, TB-1 also connects to Pericardium Channel at Zhongchong P-9 at the center of the tip of the middle finger. Thus TB-1 is indicated for many tongue related disorders, when excessive Pericardium Heat flows into the Triple Burner Channel. It is because the Heart/Pericardium opens to the tongue. Typical manifestations are heart pain, stiff tongue, curled tongue, pain at the root of the tongue or cracked tongue.
Actually for all the Channels that originates at the fingertip or toes, this principle applies. Their first point (Well-Jing) receive Qi and impact from the related Channels which terminate at the finger or toes.
For example, for all the Channels of the Hand (Yang starts while Yin ends):
For all the Channels of the Foot (Yin starts while Yang ends):
Ling Shu (Spiritual Pivot): Original source text for this point, establishing it as the Well-Jing point of the San Jiao channel.
Zhen Jiu Jia Yi Jing (Systematic Classic of Acupuncture): 'Elbow pain preventing one from dressing, dizziness with chin pain, dark complexion, Wind with shoulder and back pain preventing turning – Guanchong governs these.'
Qian Jin Fang (Thousand Gold Prescriptions): 'Guanchong, Zuqiaoyin (GB-44), and Shaoze (SI-1) govern throat painful obstruction, curled tongue, and dry mouth.'
Zhen Jiu Da Cheng (Great Compendium of Acupuncture): 'Governs throat painful obstruction and throat closure, curled tongue and dry mouth, headache, cholera, qi congestion in the chest, no desire to eat, arm and elbow pain preventing lifting, eye cloudiness and membrane, unclear vision.'
Guanchong TB-1 is located at the junction of two tangents along the proximal and lateral borders of the ring finger. 0.1 cun from the actual margin of the nail.
As a fingertip point near the nail bed, needling can be quite sensitive. The shallow depth (0.1-0.2 cun) must be observed strictly. Bloodletting with a three-edged needle is the most common technique. Avoid excessive bleeding. Not suitable for patients with bleeding disorders or those on anticoagulants. The small target area requires precise location.
45° (Oblique)
Shallow
0.1–0.2 cun
Approximately 0.2 cun vertically or obliquely in a proximal direction or prick to bleed. Caution: Avoid needling too close to the nail
Sharp pricking or distending sensation at the needle site. Due to the superficial depth and location near the nail bed, the sensation is typically localized with possible mild radiating discomfort along the finger. When using bloodletting technique, sensation is brief and sharp.
Recommended
Duration: 5–10 minutes
Contraindicated
Particularly Recommended
Contraindicated
Five Phase
Metal-Jin
Transporting Type
Well-Jing Point
Mother-Child Role
Child (Reducing)
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