Tongziliao Point (GB-1 / Pupil Bone Crevice, also known as Taiyang, Qianguan)
Discover the exact location and acupressure method for Tongziliao (GB-1 / Pupil Bone Crevice). Learn its benefits for keratitis, glaucoma, blurred vision, styes, and crow's feet – the meeting point of three meridians – plus classic combinations for comprehensive treatment.
Indications
Keratitis, glaucoma, breast pain, cough, headache and dizziness, facial deviation (facial paralysis), red painful eyes, blurred vision, crow's feet, stye, and acute mastitis.
Precise Location
Located on the Gallbladder Meridian, on the face, approximately 1 cun lateral to the outer canthus.
Location Method
Sit upright with both elbows flexed upward and supported on a table, fingers pointing upward, palms facing the body. Place both thumbs on the sides of the head, just below and anterior to Taiyang (EX-HN5) – press vertically into the points with both thumbs.
Massage Method
Press and knead vertically with both thumbs – a sore, distending, and painful sensation will occur. Apply once each morning and evening for 1–3 minutes on each side (or simultaneously). Therapeutic actions: Calms the liver and extinguishes wind, brightens the eyes and removes corneal opacities, dispels wind and unblocks the collaterals, nourishes the skin and reduces wrinkles.
Compatibility
Blurred vision: Combine with Yanglao (SI-6), Guangming (GB-37), and Taichong (LR-3). Disease overview: Excessive eye use causes ciliary spasm and reduced accommodative power, leading to blurred vision – if the spasm differs between eyes, double vision may occur. Under fatigue, retinal photoreceptors lack energy or are overconsumed with insufficient production, causing blurred vision and color distortion. Massage sequence: First press Tongziliao for 3 minutes; then massage Yanglao on the hand for 1 minute; tap Guangming on the leg 20 times; finally rub Taichong on the dorsum of the foot back and forth. Stye: Combine with Hegu (LI-4), Jingming (BL-1), and Tongziliao (GB-1). Acute mastitis: Combine with Rugen (ST-18), Tianxi (SP-18), Shidou (SP-17), Wuyi (ST-15), Shaoze (SI-1), and Tongziliao (GB-1). Red painful eyes and keratitis: Combine with Jingming (BL-1), Taiyang (EX-HN5), and Fengchi (GB-20). Glaucoma: Combine with Fengchi (GB-20), Taichong (LR-3), and Qiuhou (EX-HN7). Facial deviation (facial paralysis): Combine with Dicang (ST-4), Jiache (ST-6), and Hegu (LI-4). Headache and dizziness: Combine with Fengchi (GB-20), Baihui (GV-20), and Taichong (LR-3).
Efficacy & Actions
As women reach a certain age, fine lines naturally appear at the corners of the eyes due to aging and fatigue. These crow's feet often cause distress – they signify bodily aging, skin laxity, and the passage of youth. However, there is no need to panic. With daily proper massage of Tongziliao, these fine lines can be reduced or even eliminated. This point belongs to the Foot Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian and is the meeting point of the Hand Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian, Hand Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian, and Foot Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian. It calms the liver and extinguishes wind, brightens the eyes and removes corneal opacities, and dispels wind and unblocks the collaterals. It is a key point for treating eye and head-facial disorders. First documented in Lingshu · Jingmai. "Tongzi" refers to the pupil; "Liao" means bone crevice or gap. Located in the bony gap beside the outer canthus, this point treats eye disorders – hence the name Tongziliao (Pupil Bone Crevice). It is also known as "Taiyang" and "Qianguan."
