Zhongzhu Point (TE-3 / Central Island, also known as Xiadu)
Unblocks the collaterals and relieves pain, clears heat and drains fire, opens the orifices and benefits hearing. Based on its properties, it is clinically used for cervical spondylosis, frozen shoulder, and arm swelling and pain.
Indications
Deafness, tinnitus, headache, dizziness, and sore throat. (1) Upper limb disorders: Stiff neck, neck-shoulder pain, elbow-arm pain, finger contracture, arthritis. (2) ENT disorders: Red eyes, sore throat, tinnitus, deafness. (3) Others: Febrile diseases, diabetes, malaria, constipation, facial warts, etc.
Precise Location
Located on the Sanjiao Meridian, on the dorsum of the hand, in the depression 2 cm below the base of the ring and little fingers.
Location Method
Sit upright with the hand extended, elbow flexed toward the chest, palm facing inward and hand back facing outward. Bring the four fingers of the other hand together and place them on the dorsum of the hand below the little finger – the point is where the ring finger rests when the index finger is at Yemen (TE-2).
Massage Method
Bend the index finger and knead vertically with the lateral edge of the fingertip – a sore, distending, and painful sensation will occur. Apply once each morning and evening for 1–3 minutes, left first then right. Therapeutic actions: Clears heat and unblocks the collaterals, opens the orifices and benefits hearing.
Compatibility
Insomnia: Combine with Shenmen (HT-7), Shangwan (RN-13), and Zhongzhu (TE-3). Disease overview: Insomnia is difficulty falling asleep, shallow sleep, early awakening, or poor sleep quality – called "sleeplessness" in TCM. Massage sequence: First press Shenmen for 1 minute, then press Shangwan for 3 minutes, finally push Zhongzhu 30 times. Deafness: Combine with Tinggong (SI-19), Xiaguan (ST-7), Taichong (LR-3), and Zhongzhu (TE-3). Constipation: Combine with Zusanli (ST-36), Dachangshu (BL-25), and Zhongzhu (TE-3). Tinnitus and deafness: Combine with Tinggong (SI-19) and Yifeng (TE-17). Finger contracture: Combine with Baxie (EX-UE9) and Waiguan (TE-5). Arm swelling and pain: Combine with Yemen (TE-2). Shaoyang headache: Combine with Fengchi (GB-20). Intercostal neuralgia and hypochondriac pain: Combine with Waiguan (TE-5), Yanglingquan (GB-34), and Qimen (LR-14). Sore throat: Combine with Taixi (KI-3). Shoulder-arm pain: Combine with Sanjian (LI-3) and Houxi (SI-3).
Efficacy & Actions
Zhongzhu belongs to the Hand Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian and is the Shu-Stream point where the meridian qi flows, corresponding to the Wood element in the five-element theory. It unblocks the meridians and relieves pain, clears heat and drains fire, opens the orifices and benefits hearing. It is a commonly used point for treating disorders along the Sanjiao Meridian pathway and head-face-orificial conditions. First documented in Lingshu · Benshu, also known as Xiadu, it is a point on the Sanjiao Meridian. Every woman faces menopause with various symptoms such as dizziness, vertigo, anxiety, tinnitus, and insomnia. Pressing Zhongzhu can effectively regulate menopausal syndrome, ensuring physical and mental health for middle-aged women and improving quality of life. (1) Key Point for Pain Along the Sanjiao Meridian Pathway: The Sanjiao Meridian originates at the tip of the ring finger, passes between the fingers, along the wrist, between the forearm bones, through the elbow, along the outer arm to the shoulder, crosses behind the Gallbladder Meridian, enters the supraclavicular fossa, and ascends to the neck and behind the ear. According to "where the meridian passes, there it treats," Zhongzhu is used for neck, shoulder, back pain, wrist pain, elbow-arm pain, and finger contracture. The Xihong Fu states: "For long-standing cold with shoulder and back pain, needling Zhongzhu is appropriate." The Zhouhou Ge states: "Shoulder and back disorders – Zhongzhu treats them." The Lingguang Fu states: "For difficulty in moving the five fingers, use Zhongzhu." The Tongxuan Zhiyao Fu states: "For pain between the spine and heart, needling Zhongzhu cures immediately." (2) Common Point for Head, Face, and Orificial Disorders: The Sanjiao Meridian runs along the lateral head, making it effective for migraine. It enters and exits the ear, reaching the lateral eyebrow – thus treating tinnitus, deafness, eye disorders, and facial conditions. The Lingshu · Jingmai states: "Its disorder causes deafness with dizziness." The Zhenjiu Jiayijing records: "Deafness with temporal pain – Zhongzhu is the primary point." It can treat both excess (reducing) and deficiency (reinforcing) patterns. (3) Other Therapeutic Effects: Also used for diabetes, malaria, febrile diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, warts on the dorsum of the hand and face, and various other clinical conditions.
