Extra points · Extra point

Taiyang

太阳 · Taiyang

Supreme Yang

The temple hollow. Extra point.

Extra point · EX-HN5

Use caution

System

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

Open the Extra points page

Where it is

In the temple hollow, about one thumb-width behind the midpoint between the outer end of the eyebrow and the outer corner of the eye. Extra point, often EX-HN5.

Nearby: Temple vessels. You may see or feel a pulse. Do not occlude it. The eye is medial.

Traditionally said to

The temple point people rub for a one-sided headache. Extra point, not on the Gallbladder channel even though it sits in Gallbladder territory.

What people look up

Headache Local muscle tension Stress and shen

Acupressure

Soft circles with two fingers, 30–60 seconds. If you feel a strong arterial beat, lighten up.

When not to press: Sudden severe headache, vision loss, or a tender inflamed temple in an older adult: urgent care.

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

Transverse 0.3–0.5 cun, or perpendicular 0.3–0.5 in some charts. Bleeding the temple is an old method and not self-care. Vessels are close.

Angle

Transverse, posteriorly, or a very shallow perpendicular. Not toward the eye.

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.