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TE3

Zhongzhu

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中渚 (Zhōngzhǔ) — Central Islet

Triple Energiser channel · point 3

Not yet clinically reviewed

Shu-Stream pointWood pointWood point of the Triple Energiser channelTonification (mother) point

Traditionally used for

  • Headaches
  • Eye health
  • Ears & hearing
  • Nose & throat
  • Pain & joints

Location

On the dorsum of the hand, in the depression proximal to the fourth metacarpophalangeal joint, between the fourth and fifth metacarpal bones.

How to locate: With the hand relaxed or in a loose fist, palm down, slide proximally from the knuckles along the groove between the fourth and fifth metacarpal bones; the point is in the depression just proximal to the fourth metacarpophalangeal joint.

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

Body map, front: TE3 · Hand
Fig. — TE3 · Hand After Albinus, 1747
Body map, front: TE3 · Hand

TE3 · Hand · Albinus, Tabulae sceleti et musculorum, 1747

Bones of the hand, dorsal — Gray's Anatomy plate
Bones of the hand, dorsal Gray's Anatomy, 1918
Bones of the hand, dorsal — Gray's Anatomy plate

Bones of the hand, dorsal · 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

Techniques — the source gives these as alternatives:

  1. Perpendicular insertion
    Depth 0.5–1 cun
    skindeeper
  2. Oblique insertion — directed proximally
    Depth 0.5–1 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. 393 Supports: techniques (names this point)

Site notes · not cited

Depth: 0.3–0.5 cun
Angle: Perpendicular or oblique proximally

Functions

  • Benefits the ears
  • Clears heat and drains fire from the head
  • Clears the head and benefits the eyes
  • Activates the channel and luo-connecting vessels and relieves pain of the hand, shoulder and neck

Indications

Tinnitus and deafnessheadache, especially temporalred and painful eyessore throatstiff neck and shoulder painpain and stiffness of the fingers and handlower back pain

Balance Method partners

Under Dr. Tan's six systems, TE3 at the hand balances these channels at the regions its segment images.

Classical calendar method · 子午流注

When the tables open TE3

The hours Zi Wu Liu Zhu names this point at, by method. Times are the double-hour's start in UTC.

  • 丙午 11:00–13:00 Na Jia Fa, 丙-day sequence · Na (納) point

    「丙午時受三焦木，中渚之中子細詳」

    Next: Tue 20 Oct, 11:00

  • 子 23:00–01:00 Na Zi Fa, TE channel · reinforce (補)

    「補用子時，中渚，為俞木」

    Next: Wed 14 Oct, 23:00

A classical reference, not a recommendation: the tables say when the method opens this point, not that it is the point to needle. Open points by the hour →

Clinical Notes

The most-used distal point of the Triple Energiser channel for ear complaints and for temporal headache, and a useful acute point for lumbar sprain.

Combinations Using This Point

Balance Method for Sciatica

Sciatic pain treated from the arm — the Small Intestine channel for posterior distribution, the Triple Energiser for lateral — on the opposite side.

Similar Points

Zhongzhu how are these connected? (Zhongzhu)

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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