Yintang Point (GV-29)
Yintang was originally an Extraordinary Point. It was incorporated into the Governor Vessel (Du Mai) under the national standard Nomenclature and Location of Acupuncture Points (GB/T 12346-2006, replacing GB 12346-1990), with the point code updated to GV-29 (subsequently revised to GV-29 in GB/T 12346-2021).
Indications
Insomnia, forgetfulness, epilepsy, headache, vertigo, epistaxis, red and swollen eyes, trigeminal neuralgia. (1) Mental disorders: insomnia, vertigo, neurasthenia, mania/epilepsy, hysteria, acute/chronic infantile convulsions. (2) Nasal disorders: allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, nasal congestion, epistaxis. (3) Head and facial disorders: frontal headache, supraorbital ridge pain, red and swollen eyes, facial spasm, facial pain, facial paralysis (Bell's palsy), eye fatigue, facial furuncles.
Precise Location
On the forehead, in the depression between the medial ends of the two eyebrows. At the midpoint of the line connecting the eyebrows.
Location Method
Sit upright or lie supine; locate the point at the midpoint of the line connecting the two eyebrows on the forehead. Anatomy: Located between the frontal muscle and the depressor supercilii muscle; branches of the supratrochlear nerve and the temporal branch of the facial nerve are distributed here; deeper layers contain branches of the supraorbital nerve and the supratrochlear artery and vein.
Massage Method
① Massage: Press and knead with the thumb. ② Moxibustion: Use mild moxa stick moxibustion. Press and knead Yintang with the thumb to treat dizziness, insomnia, forgetfulness, and various nasal disorders.
Compatibility
Hypertension: Combine with Quchi (LI-11), Zusanli (ST-36), and Fenglong (ST-40). Mental disorders: Combine with Baihui (GV-20), Shenting (GV-24), and Shenmen (HT-7). Frontal headache and supraorbital ridge pain: Combine with Taiyang (EX-HN5), Chongyang (ST-42), and Gongsun (SP-4). Nasal disorders: Combine with Yingxiang (LI-20), Bitong (EX-HN3), and Hegu (LI-4). Vertigo due to liver wind: Combine with Baihui (GV-20), Fengchi (GB-20), Hegu (LI-4), and Taichong (LR-3). Insomnia: Combine with Neiguan (PC-6), Shenmen (HT-7), and Sanyinjiao (SP-6). Heavy sensation in the head (head as heavy as stone): Combine with Cuanzhu (BL-2).
Efficacy & Actions
This point calms the spirit, anchors the mind, clears the head, brightens the eyes, unblocks the nasal orifices, revives consciousness, opens the orifices, disperses wind, and alleviates pain. Based on its properties, it is clinically used for frontal headache, supraorbital neuralgia, ophthalmic disorders, facial conditions, insomnia, and mental disorders in Western medicine. It is a commonly used point for mental disorders, nasal disorders, and spastic conditions. First recorded in Bian Que's Divine Response Acupuncture and Moxibustion Jade Dragon Classic (Bian Que Shen Ying Zhen Jiu Yu Long Jing). "Yin" originally means seal or stamp; "Tang" means hall or court. Ancient astrologers referred to the area between the two eyebrows on the forehead as Yintang. The point is located here, hence the name. It is also known as "Qumei." (1) Yintang is a key point for treating mental disorders. Located on the Governor Vessel (Du Mai), which is the "Sea of Yang Meridians" and ascends to the brain, TCM holds that "Yang Qi, when refined, nourishes the spirit." Thus, the Du Mai has a potent calming and spirit-anchoring effect. Yintang is where the Qi of the Du Mai emanates. Needling Yintang unblocks the Du Mai and calms the spirit—making it an effective point for convulsions, spasms, insomnia, hysteria, mania/epilepsy, and other mental disorders. It is often combined with Baihui (GV-20) and Shenting (GV-24) for these conditions. The Bian Que's Divine Response Acupuncture and Moxibustion Jade Dragon Classic records: "For wind-type headache, vomiting, and blurred vision, needling Shenting is effective; for infantile convulsions in children, Yintang can be needled with moxa." (2) Yintang is a commonly used point for frontal headache and pain along the supraorbital ridge. This is based on the principle of local point selection—a method widely used by folk practitioners throughout history. Clinically, pricking bloodletting combined with squeezing is often employed, which promotes blood circulation, unblocks the meridians, regulates the Du Mai, disperses wind, and alleviates pain—with proven efficacy. Filiform needles are also frequently used. (3) Yintang is a specific point for treating nasal disorders. Located on the Du Mai, above the nasal root, it acts on the principle that "the point's location governs the conditions it treats." Needling it disperses wind, clears heat, and unblocks the nasal passages. It is used for various nasal disorders caused by wind-heat, often combined with Yingxiang (LI-20), Bitong (EX-HN3), and Hegu (LI-4) to treat allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, and nasal congestion due to common colds. Clinical reports on Yintang as the primary point for nasal disorders are numerous, with satisfactory outcomes. For example, Lin Ling reported that needling this point as the main treatment for rhinitis resulted in 12 cured cases, 11 markedly effective, 6 improved, and 1 ineffective.
Contraindications
Needling direction and angle must be carefully controlled to avoid injury to the eyeball and intraorbital tissues. Standard manipulation: pinch up the skin and insert flatly from top to bottom at 0.3–0.5 cun, or thread horizontally left/right toward Cuanzhu (BL-2) or Jingming (BL-1) at 0.5–1 cun depth. Deep perpendicular insertion is contraindicated. Contraindicated when local skin has infection or lesions. Use with caution during pregnancy and in patients with extreme debilitation.
