Waiguan Point (TE-5 / Outer Pass)
Unblocks the meridians and collaterals, moves qi and relieves pain, clears heat and releases the exterior. Based on its properties, it is clinically used for neurogenic tinnitus, deafness, arm numbness, finger joint pain and numbness, colds, and fever.
Indications
External febrile diseases, colds, headache, tinnitus, chest and hypochondriac pain, and limited elbow-arm flexion/extension. (1) Exterior patterns: Colds, fever, wind-cold headache. (2) ENT disorders: Tinnitus, deafness, red painful eyes, conjunctivitis, epistaxis, mumps, sore throat, temporomandibular joint disorder, toothache. (3) Motor system disorders: Shoulder-arm pain, finger numbness, wrist drop, sciatica, cold lumbar pain, ankle sprain. (4) Others: Tinea manuum, hypochondriac pain, scrofula, abdominal pain, cholecystitis, appendicitis, constipation, anhidrosis, insomnia, enuresis, etc.
Precise Location
In the posterior forearm region, 2 cun above the dorsal wrist crease, at the midpoint between the ulna and radius.
Location Method
Raise the arm with the palm facing down. Locate 3 finger-widths (approximately 2 cun) above the midpoint of the dorsal wrist crease, in the depression between the two forearm bones.
Massage Method
① Massage: Pinch and press with the thumb tip. ② Scraping therapy: Scrape from top to bottom. Pinch and press Waiguan with the thumb tip about 200 times, or for 3–5 minutes, to treat tinnitus, headache, and constipation. Therapeutic actions: Unblocks the meridians and collaterals, moves qi and relieves pain, clears heat and releases the exterior.
Compatibility
Migraine: Combine with Taiyang (EX-HN5) and Shuaigu (GB-8). Tinnitus and deafness: Combine with Huizong (TE-7) and Tinggong (SI-19). Chest and hypochondriac pain: Combine with Yanglingquan (GB-34). Exterior patterns: Combine with Hegu (LI-4), Quchi (LI-11), and Fengchi (GB-20). Headache, stiff neck, general body pain due to wind: Combine with Lieque (LU-7), Fengchi (GB-20), and Dazhui (GV-14). Mumps: Combine with Jiache (ST-6), Yifeng (TE-17), and Hegu (LI-4). Cold limb pain: Combine with Shenmai (BL-62). Shoulder and back pain: Combine with Tianzhu (BL-10). Shoulder-arm pain and numbness: Combine with Jianyu (LI-15) and Quchi (LI-11). Forearm pain: Combine with Shousanli (LI-10). Ear, inner canthus, shoulder, neck, lumbar pain: Combine with Zulinqi (GB-41). Wrist drop: Combine with Yangchi (TE-4) and Wangu (SI-4). Pain in all five fingers: Combine with Baxie (EX-UE9). Migraine: Combine with Taiyang (EX-HN5), Hegu (LI-4), and Fengchi (GB-20). Hypochondriac pain: Combine with Neiguan (PC-6). Common cold: Combine with Dazhui (GV-14), Quchi (LI-11), Hegu (LI-4), and Chize (LU-5).
Efficacy & Actions
Waiguan belongs to the Hand Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian and is the Luo-Connecting point of this meridian, as well as one of the Eight Confluent Points, connecting to the Yang Wei Vessel. It unblocks the meridians and collaterals, moves qi and relieves pain, and clears heat and releases the exterior. It is a commonly used point for treating head, face, and orificial disorders caused by pathogenic fire ascending along the Sanjiao Meridian, as well as disorders along the meridian pathway, and is a key point for exterior patterns. First documented in Lingshu · Jingmai. "Wai" refers to the exterior of the body; "Guan" means pass or gateway. This point is the Luo-Connecting point of the Sanjiao Meridian, connecting with the Yang Wei Vessel, and branching to the Pericardium Meridian. It is located on the exterior, opposite Neiguan (PC-6) – hence the name Waiguan (Outer Pass). (1) Key Point for External Wind-Cold and Fever: As one of the Eight Confluent Points connecting to the Yang Wei Vessel – which governs all yang of the body – the Nanjing · 29th Difficulty states: "Yang Wei disorders present with chills and fever." It harmonizes Shaoyang, clears heat, and disperses wind – an important point for treating external pathogen invasion. It is a key point for releasing the exterior and reducing fever, used for colds, febrile diseases, and malaria – especially effective for external headache. The Experience Specific Point Song states: "Headache and fever are relieved by Waiguan." The Miscellaneous Diseases Point Method Song states: "All wind-cold, summerheat-damp pathogens, headache and fever – Waiguan treats them." (2) Key Point for Ear Disorders: As a Sanjiao Meridian point, it has specific effects on ear disorders. The Yin-Yang Eleven Meridian Moxibustion Classic discovered at Mawangdui records this meridian as the "ear meridian." Its disorder pattern states: "Its disorder causes deafness with tinnitus." Deafness and tinnitus are the main indications of the Sanjiao Meridian – the Zhenjiu Jiayijing records: "Deafness with tinnitus and inability to hear – Waiguan is the primary point." Clinical evidence confirms its efficacy, and modern literature shows it is the most frequently used point for ear disorders. (3) Treats Motor System Disorders: This point has a wide range of applications for limb pain – stiff neck, shoulder pain, cold elbow-arm pain, limited joint movement, lateral ankle sprain, temporomandibular joint disorder, cold lumbar pain, Shaoyang-type sciatica, iliohypogastric neuralgia, and superior gluteal nerve pain. The Bronze Figure Manual states: "It treats inability to flex and extend the elbow and arm, and pain in all five fingers with inability to grasp." Clinically combined with Zulinqi (GB-41) – especially effective for neck-shoulder-arm pain due to wind-cold. (4) Treats Cardiac Disorders: As the Luo-Connecting point of the Sanjiao Meridian connecting to the Pericardium – "the branch of the Sanjiao, named Waiguan, one cun above the wrist, wraps around the arm, enters the chest, and connects with the Pericardium" – it is directly connected to the heart. Needling soothes the chest, regulates qi, relieves depression, unblocks collaterals, and calms the spirit – treating cardiac disorders with blood stasis. (5) Specific Point for Globus Hystericus: As a Sanjiao Meridian Luo-Connecting point – the Sanjiao governs qi and regulates qi transformation and water passages – needling Waiguan not only regulates Sanjiao qi transformation to drain dampness and transform phlegm but also regulates the Pericardium Meridian qi to relieve stagnation, eliminating phlegm-damp, smoothing qi movement, and resolving symptoms. (6) Other Therapeutic Effects: This point has broad applications – also used for finger numbness, mumps, toothache, anhidrosis, insomnia, constipation, cholecystitis, herpes zoster, hypertension, diabetes, cerebrovascular disease, and various other conditions. The Puji Fang records a case: An elderly woman with chronic toothache was taught to moxibust Waiguan with seven cones – her toothache never returned.
Contraindications
Waiguan is located near the posterior antebrachial cutaneous nerve and interosseous posterior nerve – needling should avoid them. When treating elbow, shoulder, and trunk disorders, needle obliquely upward; for wrist disorders, needle obliquely toward the wrist.
