Several acupuncture points are commonly used to treat earaches and other ear issues. In traditional Chinese medicine, these points are thought to relieve earaches by restoring the balance of yin and yang in the body. Consult your doctor before using acupuncture, as you would with any new treatment. According to the National Institute of Health, you should also call your doctor if your earache symptoms do not improve within a day or two, or if the earache occurs with a high fever, swelling, dizziness, facial muscle weakness, or a severe headache.
LI 1 — Shang Yang
The point known in Chinese as Shang Yang is on the index finger near the fingernail on the side closer to the thumb. The name translates to Metal Yang in English. Acupuncture points are on meridians, networks through which qi, or energy, is thought to flow. LI 1 is on the large intestine meridian, a network that extends throughout the body. In addition to ear pain, LI 20 is also used to treat eye pain and inflammation, toothaches, high fevers, and comas.
ST 7 — Xia Guan
Point No. 7 on the stomach meridian, ST 7, is in the indention on the side of the face near the ear, where the jaw and the cheekbone meet. Because of its location, ST 7’s Chinese name is Xia Guan, which means “Below the Joint.” ST 7 is used to treat a range of ear issues, including pain, infections, deafness and tinnitus. Besides ailments of the ear, ST 7 can also be used to treat jaw problems, facial pain and toothaches.
TH 21 — Er Men
TH 21’s Chinese name, Er Men, means “Ear Gate” in English, and it is found at the indentation near where the top of the ear meets the side of the face. TH 21 is on the triple heater meridian, where it intersects with the small intestine and gall bladder meridians. TH 21 can be used in combination with ST 7, and like ST 7, is indicated for ear and jaw issues.
SI 3 — Hou Xi
SI 3 is on the small intestine meridian. Its Chinese name, Hou Xi, means “Back Ravine” in English. It is thought to clear heat from the eyes and ears, and is also used to relieve back and neck pain. This calming point is on the pinky side of the hand along the bone, near where the palm crease forms when a fist is made.
References
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine; Acupuncture -- An Introduction; December 2007
- MedlinePlus: Earache
- Yin Yang House: LI 1 Acupuncture Point - Shang Yang - Large Intestine Meridian
- Yin Yang House: ST 7 Acupuncture Point - Xia Guan - Stomach Meridian
- Yin Yang House: TH 21 Acupuncture Point - Er Men - Triple Heater Meridian
- Yin Yang House: SI 3 Acupuncture Point - Hou Xi - Small Intestine Meridian
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