Extra points · Extra point

Anmian

安眠 · Anmian

Peaceful Sleep

Extra point behind the ear, named for sleep.

Extra point

Use caution

System

Channel: Extra points (EX)
Element: Not one of the five
Yin or yang: Extra point
Organ system: Extra points
Region: Neck
Limb rule: Not on the 14 channels

Open the Extra points page

Where it is

Behind the ear, about halfway between SJ17 (behind the earlobe) and GB20 (the skull-base hollow). Extra point. The name means peaceful sleep.

Nearby: Upper neck and the ear. Same caution as other skull-base points: do not jab upward.

Traditionally said to

An extra point taught almost entirely for trouble falling asleep and a restless mind. The name is the indication. It is not a sedative and it will not override a medical sleep disorder.

What people look up

Sleep Stress and shen Headache Worry

Acupressure

Fingertip midway between the earlobe hollow and GB20, mild, slightly inward toward the muscle, 45–60 seconds each side.

When not to press: Stop if you feel dizzy. Skip after neck injury.

About 30–90 seconds is the usual window, unless the step above is shorter. Stop if pain, dizziness, or anything unusual shows up.

Licensed practice only

Needle depth, angle, electroacupuncture

Textbook language for students. Not instructions. A cun is a body-inch on that person, not a ruler inch. Do not needle yourself.

Depth

Common teaching range: about 0.5–1 cun perpendicular. Not aimed up under the skull. Confirm locally; extra-point charts vary.

Angle

Perpendicular, into the neck muscle, slightly anterior.

Electroacupuncture

Introductory charts rarely assign a standard electroacupuncture setting here. Clinics that use current choose frequency and intensity for that person. No milliamp figure is given, because copying one would be misleading.