Verscienta
GB3

Shangguan

Star

上關 (Shàngguān) — Above the Joint

Gallbladder channel · point 3

Not yet clinically reviewed

Meeting point of the Gallbladder, Stomach and Triple Energiser channels

Traditionally used for

  • Headaches
  • Ears & hearing
  • Teeth & mouth
  • Nerves & recovery

Cautions & contraindications

  • No deep needling

Location

On the face, in the depression at the upper border of the zygomatic arch, directly above ST7.

How to locate: Place one finger above and one below the zygomatic arch in front of the ear and slide forward; when the lower finger drops into the hollow in front of the jaw joint (ST7), the upper finger rests on the point, in the shallow depression on the upper border of the arch.

Distances are in cun, a proportional unit — how to measure.

Body map, front: GB3 · Head & face
Fig. — GB3 · Head & face After Albinus, 1747
Body map, front: GB3 · Head & face

GB3 · Head & face · Albinus, Tabulae sceleti et musculorum, 1747

The skull, from the front — Gray's Anatomy plate
The skull, from the front Gray's Anatomy, 1918
The skull, from the front — Gray's Anatomy plate

The skull, from the front · Gray's Anatomy, 1918

3D view

3D view not available for this point: its position can't be carried onto the 3D model reliably (it failed a placement check). The 2D maps above show it.

Needling

Cited needling

  1. Perpendicular insertion
    Depth 0.3–0.5 cun
    skindeeper

Depths describe average adult habitus in the cited population, never a single safe number for the patient in front of you. Palpate and adjust.

Sources (1)
  1. Deadman P, Al-Khafaji M, Baker K. A Manual of Acupuncture. Hove: Journal of Chinese Medicine Publications; 1998 — p. 424 Supports: techniques (names this point)

Site notes · not cited

  • No deep needling
Depth: 0.3–0.5 cun
Angle: Perpendicular or transverse
⚠ Cautions: Deep needling is classically warned against here.

Functions

  • Benefits the ears and the jaw
  • Expels wind from the head
  • Activates the channel and relieves pain

Indications

Tinnitus and deafnesstemporomandibular disorders and clenched jawmigrainefacial paralysistoothache

Similar Points

Shangqu how are these connected? (Shangqu) Shiguan how are these connected? (Shiguan) Shanglian how are these connected? (Shanglian) Shangxing how are these connected? (Shangxing)

Sources

  • World Health Organization. WHO Standard Acupuncture Point Locations in the Western Pacific Region. Manila: WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific, 2008. (Location.)
  • Focks C, ed. Atlas of Acupuncture. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, 2008. (Locating method and actions.)

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