“A point on the meridian has the potential to heal the areas that the meridian travels through,” traditional Chinese medicine says. Each meridian—one of the body’s energetic pathways—influences different regions and functions within the body.
Recently, we have been exploring the Triple Energizer meridian, also known as Triple Burner or San Jiao. This meridian flows from the tip of your ring finger, up the back of your arm, and through your head. Today’s acupoint, Minute Angle (Jiao Sun, TE20), is particularly important because it is seen as a strategic command center for addressing a variety of head-related discomforts.
An Ancient Point With a Modern Purpose
Jiao Sun was first mentioned in “Ling Shu (Spiritual Pivot),” a classical TCM text that highlighted its ability to “clear the head.” In TCM, clearing refers to dispersing internal heat and toxins or imbalances that manifest as swelling, pain, or inflammation.Jiao Sun is frequently used to address mouth and dental issues such as swollen gums, toothaches, and even parotitis—a relatively rare condition in which the parotid gland near the jaw becomes infected. This infection is particularly concerning for children and older patients.
Jiao Sun’s influence doesn’t stop there. Practitioners also rely on it to treat headaches and migraines, especially when pain is felt on both sides of the head. Eye redness, swelling, and discomfort can also respond well to stimulation of this point. In short, Jiao Sun offers a surprisingly wide range of relief for a single acupoint.
What the Research Says About Jiao Sun
Contemporary studies are exploring Jiao Sun’s effects in treating head pain. In one clinical study, researchers tested whether combining acupuncture on acupoints Jiao Sun, Baihui, and Fengchi with a cervical paravertebral block could enhance treatment for cervicogenic headaches—a type of headache that originates from the neck.Sixty patients were split into two groups: one received only the nerve block, while the other received both the block and daily acupuncture for three weeks. Both groups improved, but the acupuncture group had better results, suggesting that acupuncture may boost the effects of standard treatments.
Another study compared acupuncture to the standard pharmaceutical treatment for migraines, which involves ergotamine and caffeine tablets. The group that received acupuncture, including treatment at the Jiao Sun point among others, achieved a recovery rate of 90 percent, while the medication group had a recovery rate of only 70 percent. The overall effectiveness rates were 100 percent for the acupuncture group compared to 92.5 percent for the medication group. Patients who underwent acupuncture also experienced quicker recovery times.
However, it is important to consider the limitations of the study. The acupuncture group was significantly larger, with 120 participants compared to just 40 in the medication group. Furthermore, the study lacked blinding and did not include a sham acupuncture group. These design flaws make it difficult to directly compare the effectiveness of acupuncture with conventional treatments. Nonetheless, the trend remains consistent—patients receiving acupuncture often report better outcomes than those who rely solely on medication.
How to Locate and Stimulate Jiao Sun
Jiao Sun is located just above the tip of the ear at the hairline. For an easy way to find it, just fold your ear forward. The highest point of the folded ear will align just below Jiao Sun. Pressing it may cause slight tenderness, indicating you’ve found the right place.Stimulating Jiao Sun can be done at home:
- Press the point firmly for three to five seconds, then relax for three seconds. Repeat this for one to three minutes on each side of the head.
- Circular massage with your index finger or thumb also works well—again, one to three minutes per side.
- To stimulate this point more deeply and effectively, seek a trained acupuncturist or TCM practitioner for moxibustion (a gentle heat therapy with dried mugwort) or acupuncture treatment.
Precautions
Avoid using Jiao Sun if you have an injury, swelling, or infection near the area. An alternative to manual stimulation is to use a hairdryer on a low setting for 10 to 15 minutes on each side. This gentle warmth may help stimulate energy circulation along the Triple Energizer meridian and assist the body in releasing energetic blockages.Gentle Care in a Busy World
Whether waiting for a dentist appointment or riding out a mild headache, Jiao Sun supports your well-being. Stimulating this point helps promote blood flow and energy circulation through the head, two elements essential to comfort and clarity. Just as important, it gives you a moment to connect with your body in a preventive, mindful way—before the tension builds into something bigger.Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Epoch Health welcomes professional discussion and friendly debate. To submit an opinion piece, please follow these guidelines and submit through our form here.
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