GB3 (Shangguan, “Shangguan”) is the Meeting point of GB, SJ, ST, & LI point of the Gallbladder Channel Meridian. It is located anterior to the ear, in the depression found on the superior border of the zygomatic arch. This point is located with the mouth open. It expels wind, benefits the ears and jaw, alleviates pain.
Anterior to the ear, in the depression found on the superior border of the zygomatic arch. This point is located with the mouth open.
Perpendicular or slightly oblique insertion 0.5-1.0 cun. The mouth should be slightly open during needling. Care must be taken to avoid the superficial temporal artery and the facial nerve.
Expels wind, benefits the ears and jaw, alleviates pain.
Inability to open the mouth, inability to close the mouth, lockjaw, pain and noise when chewing, facial and eye deviation, lip and mouth stiffness, convulsions with foaming at the mouth, toothache, deafness, tinnitus, dimness of vision, aversion to wind and cold, headache, neck pain, pain from spasms, fever and chills, pain from bone spasms, trismus.
Shangguan is a primary local point for temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, including pain, clicking, and difficulty opening or closing the mouth. It is also effective for trigeminal neuralgia, facial paralysis, and tension headaches originating in the temporal region. The classical warnings against deep needling are critical; improper technique can cause deafness or lockjaw.
Classical text; the translation was prepared with AI and is not clinical advice.
《千金翼方》 Qiānjīn Yìfāng — Supplement to the Thousand Gold Prescriptions, c. 682 · 卷26 · Source: Wikisource ↗
一名上關，在聽會上一寸動脈宛宛中，針入一分，主耳聾鳴如蟬According to this text, Kezhuren, also called Shangguan (GB3), lies 1 cun above Tinghui at the pulsating hollow and is needled 1 fen. The text records that it was used for deafness and cicada-like ringing in the ears.
《備急千金要方》 Bèijí Qiānjīn Yàofāng — Essential Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold for Emergencies, c. 650 · 第八 · Source: Wikisource ↗
上關二處各七壯，一名客主人穴，在耳前起骨上廉The text records moxibustion of GB3 on both sides with 7 cones each; it is also called Kezhuren and lies on the upper edge of the raised bone in front of the ear, according to this text.
《類經圖翼》 Lèijīng Túyì — Illustrated Wings to the Classified Canon, Zhang Jiebin, 1624 · 卷八 · 經絡（六） · 足少陽膽經穴 · Source: jicheng.tw ↗
一曰刺上關不得深，下關不得久The text notes one teaching that GB3 must not be needled deeply, and Xiaguan must not be needled for long.
GB3 is one of 44 points on the Gallbladder Channel Meridian. Nearby points:
GB3 (Shangguan) is located anterior to the ear, in the depression found on the superior border of the zygomatic arch. This point is located with the mouth open.
GB3 expels wind, benefits the ears and jaw, alleviates pain. Common clinical indications include inability to open the mouth, inability to close the mouth, lockjaw, pain and noise when chewing, facial and eye deviation, lip and mouth stiffness, convulsions with foaming at the mouth, toothache, deafness, tinnitus, dimness of vision, aversion to wind and cold, headache, neck pain, pain from spasms, fever and chills, pain from bone spasms, trismus.
Perpendicular or slightly oblique insertion 0.5-1.0 cun. The mouth should be slightly open during needling. Care must be taken to avoid the superficial temporal artery and the facial nerve. Caution: Deep needling is strictly forbidden. The Suwen warns that deep needling can damage the intersecting vessels, leading to 'internal leakage' and deafness. The Jia Yi Jing and Zi Sheng Jing state that deep needling can cause an inability to close the mouth (inability to '欠').
GB3 is a point on the Gallbladder Channel Meridian (Zú Shàoyáng Dǎnjīng).