Triple Burner Channel

Waiguan TB-5

Chinese: 外关

Pinyin: Wài Guān

Location

2 cun above Yangchi TB-4 at the dorsal wrist joint space, between the radius and ulna.

How to locate

First identify Yangchi TB-4. Move the wrist in a relaxed way so that the joint space is more visible. TB-4 is located laterally to the joint space midpoint, in the depression between the tendons of the extensor digitorum and extensor digiti minimi muscle, which continues to the litter finger. 

Waiguan TB-5 is located 2 cun above Yangchi TB-4. 

Main actions

  1. Expels Wind-Heat
  2. Removes Obstructions from the Channel
  3. Benefits the ears

Indications

Fever Mumps Ear pain Tinnitus Deafness Red eyes Eye pain Arm pain Headaches Dizziness Neck pain Stiff neck Elbow pain Wrist pain Ear itching Bloody nose Finger pain Hand tremor Sore throat Eye swelling Mouth ulcers Cracked lips Arm swelling Irritability Shoulder pain Arm paralysis Blurred vision Aversion to cold Tongue stiffness Elbow contraction Fingers stiffness Migraine headache Hypochondriac pain Swelling in the ears Bitter taste in the mouth Alternation of hot and cold feeling

Needling

Vertically or obliquely 0.5–1.5 cun.

Caution: Movement of the hand or arm during needle retention may cause bending of the needle.

Commentary for Waiguan TB-5

Waiguan TB-5 is a very important point. Some practitioners claim that it is able to expel all six Pernicious Evils (Wind, Heat, Cold, Dampness, Dryness and Fire). However, it is more widely used for removing Wind-Heat and releasing it from the Exterior. Typical symptoms are ear pain, fever, sore throat, slight sweating, aversion to cold and a Floating-Rapid pulse. 

The above situation is when the Wind-Heat invades and reaches the Greater Yang Stage of the Six Stage Theory, or the Defensive Qi Level of the Four Levels Theory.

However, it is also widely indicated for Lesser Yang Stage when the Wind-Heat penetrates the Defensive Qi. It is half in the Exterior and half in the Interior, with manifestations like alternation of chills and fever, irritability, hypochondrial pain, bitter taste, blurred vision and a Wiry pulse. 

This point is also able to treat Painful Obstruction Syndrome of the arm, elbow, wrist, finger, shoulder and neck, especially if the Obstruction is caused by Wind Invasion. It is effective in all the sinew and muscles along the Channel due to its Connecting-Luo point characters. 

Furthermore, Waiguan TB-5 benefits the ears. When Exterior Wind-Heat invades the ears, it may cause an ear infection with symptoms such as tinnitus, deafness, ear pain, itching or swelling. 

Waiguan TB-5 clears Heat in the Head as well, which leads to symptoms such as redness, pain and swelling of the eyes, stiffness of the tongue, mouth ulcers, cracked lips, nosebleed and mumps. 

Finally, it subdues Liver Yang Rising, so as to treat dizziness, neck pain or headache (especially migraine headache).