Ermen TB-21
Chinese: 耳门
Pinyin: Ěr Mén
Location
In the depression anterior to the supratragic notch and slightly superior to the condyloid process of the mandible. The point should be located and needled with mouth open.
Tinggong SI-19 and Tinghui GB-2 are located below Ermen TB-21.
How to locate
It is recommended to open the mouth to locate and needle the point. This allows the condyloid process of the mandible to slide anteriorly to reveal the depression where Ermen TB-21 is located.
It is comparatively easy to locate the sulcus between the auricle and the cheek anterior to the tragus. Then locate TB-21 on the level of the supratragic notch on the sulcus.
Main actions
- Benefits ears
- Expels Wind
Needling
0.5–1 cun vertically or slightly obliquely in an inferior direction. Needle with the patient’s mouth open so as to avoid intra-articular insertion. After insertion, patients can close their mouth again.
Caution: this point is close to the superficial temporal artery and the auriculotemporal nerve.
Commentary for Ermen TB-21
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 point alternately if frequent needling treatments are required.
Ermen TB-21 is an important local point for ear disorder, especially if the original cause is Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Yang Rising.
Other typical manifestation of Interior Wind is deviation of eye and mouth.