Triple Burner Meridian
View all acupuncture points on this meridian and explore the channel pathway.
View meridian
SJ-2
Water-Shui
Spring-Ying Point
Needle Depth
0.3–0.5 cun
Needle Angle
90° (Perpendicular), 45° (Oblique)
Body Area
Hand — Dorsum, Fingers
Location
Proximal to the margin of the web between the ring and small fingers.
Main Actions
- Expels Exterior Wind
- Clears Heat in the head
- Benefits the ear
Indications
Malaria
Red eyes
Red face
Dry eyes
Ear pain
Tinnitus
Deafness
Arm pain
Red hand
Toothache
Neck pain
Wrist pain
Throat pain
Painful gums
Bleeding gums
Arm stiffness
Hand swelling
Throat swelling
Sudden deafness
Finger contraction
Alternation of hot and cold feeling
Commentary
Similar to Guanchong TB-1, TB-2 is able to expel Exterior Wind-Heat. However, TB-2 has a stronger effect when the Pernicious Evils are at the Lesser Yang Stage of the Six Stage Theory. The most typical manifestation of this pattern is the alternation of hot and cold feeling.
It clears Interior Heat from the Triple Burner and Gall Bladder Channel, especially in relation to the head, face, throat or eyes. For example, Liver Fire Blazing cause various eye disorders such as red or dry eyes, which can be treated by stimulating TB-2. Other symptoms includes red face, swelling and pain of the throat, toothache, bleeding gums and pain in the gums.
Like many Triple Burner Channel points, TB-2 is also indicated for ear disorders, especially for acute conditions such as infection of the middle ear or sudden deafness. It can also treat tinnitus or general deafness.
Finally, it is effective in removing Painful Obstruction from the Channel, especially in fingers, arms, neck and wrist.
Classical Sources
《针灸大成》 Zhēnjiǔ Dàchéng (Great Compendium of Acupuncture and Moxibustion): States that this point treats "fright palpitations with delirious speech, external throat swelling, cold reversal, arm pain with inability to raise or lower, alternating chills and fever from malaria, red and rough eyes, headache, sudden deafness, and gum pain."
《针灸甲乙经》 Zhēnjiǔ Jiǎyǐ Jīng (Systematic Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion): Records the point for treating "febrile disease with no sweating" and "wind-cold-heat patterns."
《备急千金要方》 Bèijí Qiānjīn Yàofāng (Essential Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold): Indicates the point for "febrile disease with initial unhappiness, headache, facial heat without sweating," highlighting its function in dispersing wind and releasing the exterior.
How to Locate
It is better to make a loose fist. Locate Yemen TB-2 at the margin of the web between the ring and litter finger.
Caution
The dorsum of the hand has superficial veins that form a network (hand dorsal venous network). Avoid visible veins when needling. The area contains branches of the ulnar nerve's dorsal digital nerves - gentle needling technique is advised. As a Ying-Spring point with Water element, this point has a strong dispersing action; use with caution in deficient patients.
Needle Angle
90° (Perpendicular) / 45° (Oblique)
Depth Category
Shallow
Standard Depth
0.3–0.5 cun
Needling Directions
Vertically up to 0.5 cun
Expected Deqi Sensation
Local distension and soreness at the point, which may spread to the fingertips or up toward the forearm. Some patients experience an electric or numb sensation radiating toward the fingers. When needled obliquely toward Zhongzhu SJ-3, the sensation can propagate along the San Jiao channel toward the elbow.
Moxibustion
Recommended
Duration: 5–10 minutes
Cupping
Contraindicated
Bloodletting
Recommended
Gua Sha
Contraindicated
Five Element & Transporting Classification
Five Phase
Water-Shui
Transporting Type
Spring-Ying Point
Mother-Child Role
Child (Reducing)
Related Resources
Browse All Points
Explore the complete collection of acupuncture points across all meridians.
View all meridians