TB3 (Zhōngzhǔ, “Central Islet”) is the Shu-Stream Point point of the Triple Burner Meridian. It is located on the dorsum of the hand, in the depression just proximal to the 4th and 5th metacarpophalangeal joints, between the 4th and 5th metacarpal bones. It clears heat, benefits the ears and eyes, opens the channel and alleviates pain, soothes the sinews and invigorates the Luo-connecting vessels.
On the dorsum of the hand, in the depression just proximal to the 4th and 5th metacarpophalangeal joints, between the 4th and 5th metacarpal bones.
Perpendicular or slightly oblique insertion towards the palm, 0.5 to 1 cun deep.
Clears heat, benefits the ears and eyes, opens the channel and alleviates pain, soothes the sinews and invigorates the Luo-connecting vessels.
Headache, dizziness, tinnitus, deafness, sore throat, pain in the outer canthus of the eye, eye redness, blurred vision, eye film, elbow and arm pain, arm soreness, inability to raise the arm, inability to flex or extend the five fingers, inability to grasp, pain of the five fingers, twitching of the five fingers, malaria, fever and chills, madness, fright, eye pain, pain in the jaw, forehead and skull.
As the Shu-Stream and Wood point of the San Jiao channel, Zhongzhu is a primary point for conditions affecting the ears, such as tinnitus and deafness, by clearing channel obstruction and heat. Its ability to move Qi and blood along the channel makes it highly effective for pain and motor impairment of the hand, fingers, wrist, and arm. It is also a key distal point for temporal headaches and pain around the eyes, reflecting the pathway of the San Jiao channel.
Classical text; the translation was prepared with AI and is not clinical advice.
《鍼灸聚英》 Zhēnjiǔ Jùyīng — Gathering of Eminent Acupuncturists, Gao Wu, 1529 · Source: Wikisource ↗
中渚 手小指次指本節後間陷中。 在腋門下一寸According to this text, TB3 lies in the depression behind the knuckles between the fourth and fifth fingers, 1 cun below Yemen.
《針灸甲乙經》 Zhēnjiǔ Jiǎyǐ Jīng — Systematic Classic of Acupuncture & Moxibustion, c. 256–282 · 卷03 · Source: Wikisource ↗
中渚者，木也。 在手小指次指本節後陷者中，手少陽脈之所注也，為俞。 刺入二分，留三呼，灸三壯According to this text, TB3 is the wood point in the depression behind the joint of the fourth finger, where the hand shaoyang vessel pours as its shu-stream point; it is needled 0.2 cun, retained for 3 breaths, with 3 moxa cones.
《子午流注針經》 Zǐwǔ Liúzhù Zhēnjīng — Needling Classic of the Midday-Midnight Flow, Yan Mingguang, c. 1153 · 卷下 · 針經井滎歌訣 · Source: jicheng.tw ↗
中渚為俞節後尋，熱病頭疼耳不聞，
目生翳膜咽喉痛，針入三分時下明The verse records that TB3, the shu point sought behind the joint, was used for febrile disease with headache and loss of hearing, membranous nebulae over the eyes and sore throat, and that after inserting the needle 0.3 cun the patient's sight cleared.
《醫宗金鑑·刺灸心法要訣》 Yīzōng Jīnjiàn · Cìjiǔ Xīnfǎ Yàojué — Golden Mirror of Medicine: Essential Teachings on Acupuncture & Moxibustion, Wu Qian et al., 1742 · 卷七 · 手部主病針灸要穴歌 · Source: jicheng.tw ↗
中渚主治肢木麻，戰振蜷攣力不加，肘臂連肩紅腫痛，手背癰毒治不發The verse records that TB3 was used for numbness of the limbs, trembling and curled spasms with lack of strength, red, swollen and painful elbow and arm extending to the shoulder, and abscess toxin on the back of the hand, to keep it from breaking out.
TB3 is one of 23 points on the Triple Burner Meridian. Nearby points:
TB3 (Zhōngzhǔ) is located on the dorsum of the hand, in the depression just proximal to the 4th and 5th metacarpophalangeal joints, between the 4th and 5th metacarpal bones.
TB3 clears heat, benefits the ears and eyes, opens the channel and alleviates pain, soothes the sinews and invigorates the Luo-connecting vessels. Common clinical indications include headache, dizziness, tinnitus, deafness, sore throat, pain in the outer canthus of the eye, eye redness, blurred vision, eye film, elbow and arm pain, arm soreness, inability to raise the arm, inability to flex or extend the five fingers, inability to grasp, pain of the five fingers, twitching of the five fingers, malaria, fever and chills, madness, fright, eye pain, pain in the jaw, forehead and skull.
Perpendicular or slightly oblique insertion towards the palm, 0.5 to 1 cun deep.
TB3 is a point on the Triple Burner Meridian (Sān Jiāo).