安眠 : Anmian : Peaceful Sleep

Location Guides:

Location:

Behind the ear, midway between Fengchi GB-20 and Yifeng SJ-17, close but slightly posterior and inferior to Wangu GB-12.

Needling:

Perpendicular insertion 0.5 - 1 cun

TCM Actions:

Calms the Shen and pacifies the Liver

TCM Indications:

• Insomnia, agitation and restless, palpitations, epilepsy, dizziness, headache, tinnitus, hypertension.

Neuroanatomy:

Superficial Innervation:

Dermatome Segment: C3

Martial Applications & Effects of Injury:

See Montaigue, Dim Mak Locations, Taijiworld.com for explanation of effects.

Major Combinations:

• Insomnia:
    Anmian Ex-HN-20 with Neiguan Pc-6 and Sanyinjiao Sp-6 (Deadman, Al-Khafaji & Baker, 2001, A Manual of Acupuncture).

Notes:

A modern addition to the extra points commonly used for insomnia. Its location is so close to Wangu GB-12, also indicated for insomnia, that is might well be an alternative location for the same point.

Reference Notes:

Basic information on location, needle depth, TCM actions, indications and combinations is taken from Deadman et al (2001): A Manual of Acupuncture with additional anatomical information researched by reference to Gray's Anatomy (38th Ed., 1995) unless otherwise referenced. Images were found on acupunctureschoolonline.com and can be traced back to Claudia Focks (2008) Atlas of Acupuncture originally. I cannot claim any credit or rights over them. Other sources should be quoted in the text.

For some of the more unusual terms I have created a glossary here