Zuqiaoyin GB44: Nomenclature, Location, Functions, Indications

Nomenclature:

Zu: foot Qiao: opening              Yin:yin of yin-yang
The kidney and the liver pertain to yin and open into the ear and the eye. Zuqiaoyin is on the foot and is indicated in treating ear and eye disorders.
Point: GB44
Chinese Name: 足窍阴
Name: Zuqiaoyin
English Name/Meaning: Yin Portals of the Foot
Pinyin: zú qiào yīn
Han Geul 한글: gyu eum [족] 규음
Romaji: ashi no kyō in
Vietnamese: Túc khiếu âm

Location:

On the dorsal aspect of the 4th toe, at the junction of lines drawn along the lateral border of the nail and the base of the nail, approximately 0.1 cun from the corner of the nail.

Functions of  zuqiaoyin:

Disperses wind and fire.

Indications:

• Disorders of uppermost reaches of the channel: headache, stabbing pain of the head, dizziness, sudden deafness, tinnitus, redness swelling and pain of the eyes, throat painful obstruction, stiffness of the tongue with inability to speak and curled tongue with dry mouth.
• Disorders of fullness below the Heart: pain of the lateral costal region (with cough and inability to catch the breath).
• Disorders of the spirit: various disorders of sleep such as insomnia, nightmares and somnolence.

Method:

Perpendicular or oblique insertion directed proximally 0.1 to 0.2 cun, or prick to bleed.

Remarks:

• Jing-well point.
• Metal Point.