Tinggong SI-19
Chinese: 听宫
Pinyin: Tīng Gōng
Location
Between the tragus and the mandibular joint, where a depression is formed when the mouth is slightly open.
How to locate
Locate and needle this point with the mouth open. This allows the condyloid process of the mandible to slide anteriorly and reveals the depression.
Locate the vertical sulcus at the junction between the ear and the cheek. Then locate Tinggong SI-19 on the level of the tragus on the sulcus.
It is located between Ermen TB-21 and Tinghui GB-2.
Main actions
Benefits the ears
Needling
0.5–1 cun vertically or slightly obliquely in an inferior direction.
Caution: This point is located close to the superficial temporal artery and the auriculotemporal nerve
Commentary for Tinggong SI-19
There are three points anterior to the tragus of the ear, Tinghui GB-2 inferiorly, Ermen TB-21 superiorly and Tinggong SI-19 in the center. All three are frequently used to treat various ear problems, such as tinnitus, deafness, pain, itching and discharge in the ear. It is recommended to needle these three points alternately if frequent needling treatments are required.
Tonggong SI-9 is one of the most important local point for deafness and tinnitus, especially if they are called by certain Deficient patterns such as Lung and Heart Qi Deficiency. Often used together with Yifeng TB-17, they can be stimulated to invigorate Qi in the ears.
It is also said that Tinggong SI-19 can calm the Mind.