Regional Anatomy:
Skin-subcutaneous tissue-anterior auricular muscle-superficial temporal fascia and temporal muscle.
In the superficial layer, there are the auriculotemporal nerve, the temporal branches of the facial nerve, and the branches or tributaries of the superficial temporal artery and vein. In the deep layer, there are the anterior and posterior deep temporal nerves from the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve.
Location:
Sit upright or lie prostrate on one's side; anterosuperior to ErmenTE21(Ermen (TE21) [3]), at the level of the auricular canterior, at the spot where an artery pulsates on the posterior border of the hair on the temple.
Function:
Expelling the wind and removing the obstruction from the collaterals.
Indications:
Headache, tinnitus, inflammation of external auditory canal, trismus, facial paralysis, facial spasm, rhinitis, and rhinopolypus.
Prescription:
Combined use with XiaguanST7 (Xiaguan (ST7) [4]) for treatment of toothache and mandibular arthritis; and with SibaiST2 (Sibai (ST2) [5]) for treatment of facial spasm.
Methods:
Insert the needle perpendicularly, 0.3-0.5 cun deep; needling response: local numbness and distension; moxibustion: using 1-2 moxa-cones, or mild moxibustion for 5-10 min.
Comments: