Zhenfang Liuji: It is said that this acupoint serves as the meeting point of marrow. Intersecting point: foot taiyang and shaoyang.

bubble_chart Etymology

"Wangu", the protruding bone behind ear, i.e. the mastoid process of temporal bone. The point is located in the depression posterior and inferior to mastoid process, hence the name.

bubble_chart Location

Wangu (GB12) point
(adapted from "Meridians and Acupoints")

On head, in the depression posterior and inferior to mastoid process. It is located directly below the posterior border of mastoid process, level with the lower border of mastoid process, and level with Fengfu (GV16).

• Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing: "0.4 cun within hairline behind ear";
• Zhenjiu Jicheng : "0.7 cun below Touqiaoyin (GB11), within hairline".

bubble_chart Anatomy

• Muscle: superior to the attachment of sternocleidomastoid muscle.
• Nerve: main trunk of lesser occipital nerve.
• Vessels: branch of posterior auricular artery and vein.

bubble_chart Manipulation

Perpendicular or oblique insertion 0.5 to 1 cun. Moxibustion is not applied.

bubble_chart Efficacy

Dispel wind, clear heat, calm spirit.

• Classical: headache, pain behind ears, acute gum pain, neck swelling with inability to bend or extend, cheek swelling radiating to ear, pharyngitis, malaria, epilepsy, inability to control feet and loss of shoes, hemiplegia, cramping or atrophy of hands and feet.
• Modern: insomnia, facial palsy, mumps, cerebral hypoplasia, cerebral palsy, hysteria.

bubble_chart Combinations

• Malaria: Wangu (GB12), Fengchi (GB20), Dazhu (BL11).
• Pharyngitis, neck swelling with inability to bend or extend, cheek swelling radiating to ear: Wangu (GB12), Juliao (ST3) pharyngitis, neck swelling that cannot be tilted down, cheek swelling behind the ears: Wangu (GB12), Tianyou (TE16), Qiangu (SI2).
• Neck pain: Wangu (GB12), Hanyan (GB4).
• Insomnia: Wangu (GB12), Sanjian (LI3).