耳尖 : Erjian : Tip of the Ear

Location:

When the ear is folded forwards, this point lies at the apex of the ear.

Needling:

Perpendicular insertion 0.1 cun, or prick to bleed, or 3-5 cones of moxa.

TCM Actions:

Clears Heat and dissipates swelling
Benefits the eyes and throat
Subdues Liver Yang
Alleviates pain

TCM Indications:

• Redness, swelling and pain of the eyes, Superficial Visual Obstruction, pain and swelling of the throat, mumps, one-sided headache, high fever.
  
• Spasms, hypertension, headache with visual disturbance, insomnia.
  
• Acne, psoriasis, Wind-Heat skin conditions.

Neuroanatomy:

Superficial Innervation: Greater auricular nerve (C2 - C3)

Dermatome Segment: C2

Martial Applications & Effects of Injury:

For martial applications this point covers all references to the ears although they probably mean the eardrums rather than the tips which are not acupuncture points for obvious reasons.

The ears are one of the 36 vital points of Feng Yiyuan 馮一元 listed in the Wu Bei Zhi 武備志 (Treatise on Armament Technology) by Mao Yuanyi 茅元儀 (1621). In Article 24: Bronze Man Statue, which divides the body into zones associated with the Twelve-Hour branches (Shichen 時辰) going from top downwards, the ears are the vital point of Yin 寅 Tiger (3 - 5 am) and considered most vulnerable to being simultaneously slapped during this time (McCarthy, 2016, Bubishi: The Classic Manual of Combat).

This is one of the eight non-striking or forbidden points in Northern Praying Mantis Kung Fu. Described as "The ears" by both Olson (2010, The Complete Guide to Northern Praying Mantis Kung Fu) and Wong Honfan (1946; in Ravenswood Academy, 2020, The Eight Forbidden Strikes of Praying Mantis Fist).

See Montaigue, Dim Mak Locations, Taijiworld.com for explanation of effects.

Notes:

One of the most commonly bled points in acupuncture, often done as an initial treatment to reduce acute symptoms of Wind, Heat, rising Yang and pain.

Lad and Durve (2008) in Marma Points of Ayurveda call this point Karnapala or Karna Urdhva and associate it with the doshas: Prana Vayu and Apana Vayu.

They give the following functions:
- Benefits the ears
- Relieves pain in the low back, face and neck
- Stimulates the awakening of kundalini energy
- Calms hyperactivity of the mind
- Stimulates mental alertness

Another marma point on the ear is Karnapali located in the centre of the earlobe. It is associated with Prana Vayu, Alochaka Pitta and Sadhaka Pitta with the following functions:
- Benefits eyes and stimulates vision
- Relieves headaches
- Helps to relieve ear congestion
- Calms hyperactivity of the mind, ADHD
- Relieves stress

In Tibetan medicine:
Bleeding point (AMNH, Tibetan Medical Paintings)

Reference Notes:

Basic information on location, needle depth, TCM actions, indications and combinations is taken from Deadman et al (2001): A Manual of Acupuncture with additional anatomical information researched by reference to Gray's Anatomy (38th Ed., 1995) unless otherwise referenced. Images were found on acupunctureschoolonline.com and can be traced back to Claudia Focks (2008) Atlas of Acupuncture originally. I cannot claim any credit or rights over them. Other sources should be quoted in the text.

For some of the more unusual terms I have created a glossary here