Tinggong Point (SI-19 / Hearing Palace, also known as Duosuowen, Chuanglong, Erzhong)
Tinggong belongs to the Hand Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian and is the meeting point of the Hand and Foot Shaoyang and Hand Taiyang meridians. It unblocks the meridians and collaterals, opens the orifices and sharpens hearing. It is a key point for treating ear disorders.
Indications
Tinnitus, deafness, otitis media, toothache, and manic-depressive disorders. (1) Ear disorders: Tinnitus, deafness, purulent otitis media. (2) Facial disorders: Toothache, temporomandibular joint disorder, trigeminal neuralgia, facial paralysis, strabismus, aphonia. (3) Others: Stiff neck, frozen shoulder, sciatica, migraine, vertigo, manic disorders, epilepsy.
Precise Location
Located on the Small Intestine Meridian, directly in front of the center of the tragus, in the depression that appears when the mouth is opened.
Location Method
Sit upright with eyes facing forward and mouth slightly open. Raise both hands with fingertips pointing upward and palms facing forward. Place the thumb tips in the depression directly in front of the tragus – that is the point.
Massage Method
Gently knead with the thumb tips – apply to both sides simultaneously or separately for 1–3 minutes. Therapeutic actions: Sharpens hearing and opens the orifices, unblocks the meridians and collaterals.
Compatibility
Otitis media: Combine with Ermen (TE-21), Tinggong (SI-19), and Yifeng (TE-17). Disease overview: Otitis media is characterized by a feeling of fullness or blockage in the ear, hearing loss, and tinnitus – often occurring after a cold; children may appear inattentive or slow to respond. Massage sequence: Sit upright – press Ermen with the thumb tips for 10 seconds, then press Tinggong for 1 minute, finally press Yifeng for 3 minutes. Toothache: Combine with Jiache (ST-6), Xiaguan (ST-7), and Tinggong (SI-19). Tinnitus: Combine with Yifeng (TE-17), Zhongzhu (TE-3), and Tinggong (SI-19). Ear disorders: Combine with Yifeng (TE-17) and Fengchi (GB-20). Toothache: Combine with Hegu (LI-4) and Jiache (ST-6). Trigeminal neuralgia: Combine with Hegu (LI-4) and additional points based on the affected area. Temporomandibular joint disorder: Combine with Xiaguan (ST-7). Sudden deafness: Combine with Tinghui (GB-2), Yifeng (TE-17), Zhizheng (SI-7), Zhongzhu (TE-3), and Zulinqi (GB-41).
Efficacy & Actions
First documented in Lingshu · Cijie Zhenxie. “Gong” means palace, indicating an important place. Located in front of the tragus – “the ear is for hearing” – it is a key point for treating tinnitus, deafness, and restoring hearing – hence the name Tinggong (Hearing Palace). It is also known as “Duosuowen,” “Chuanglong,” and “Erzhong.” According to the Jiayi Jing and Yixue Rumen, this point is “beside the pearl in front of the ear.” According to the Tukao, it is located “in front of Ermen.” Huang Xuelong stated: “Tinggong is between Tinghui and Jiache. Based on my experience, it is better to locate Tinggong with the mouth open – needle three fen, moxibust three cones.” Conditions such as tinnitus, hearing loss, and other auditory impairments can be effectively improved with long-term pressing of Tinggong. (1) Key Point for Ear Disorders: As the meeting point of the Hand and Foot Shaoyang and Hand Taiyang meridians – both Shaoyang meridians “enter the ear from behind, emerge and go forward,” and the Small Intestine Meridian “enters the ear” – needling this single point regulates the qi and blood of all three meridians, relieving stagnation in the ear and achieving the function of unblocking collaterals and sharpening hearing. The Lingshu · Cijie Zhenxie states: “For those who cannot hear or see... needle Tinggong at midday, reaching the pupil – the sound reaches the ear – this is its point.” The Great Compendium states: “It treats aphonia, manic disorders, heart and abdominal fullness, purulent otitis media, deafness with a blocked sensation, and buzzing in the ear.” It is used for both excess and deficiency patterns – combined with Waiguan (TE-5), Xiaxi (GB-43), and Xingjian (LR-2) for excess; with Taixi (KI-3), Yemen (TE-2), and Zusanli (ST-36) for deficiency. (2) Treats Head, Face and Orificial Disorders: Located on the face, according to “where the point is located, there it treats,” it is used for facial paralysis, toothache, temporomandibular joint disorder, trigeminal neuralgia – especially effective for toothache and trigeminal neuralgia, with over 80% effectiveness for primary trigeminal neuralgia. (3) Other Therapeutic Effects: Also effective for frozen shoulder, migraine, stiff neck, and sciatica – the renowned acupuncture master He Puren was skilled in using Tinggong for these conditions with remarkable results.
Contraindications
The mouth should be slightly open when needling – avoid speaking or wide mouth opening during needle retention to prevent needle sticking, bending, or breakage.
