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Location Guides: |
Window of Heaven point
Trigger point (Travell & Simons, 1998, Trigger Point Manual; Melzack, Stillwell & Fox, 1977)
Confluent point of the Large Intestine and Lung Divergent channels (Cecil-Sterman, 2012, Advanced Acupuncture)
Confluent point of the Yangming zone
Meeting of Large Intestine with Large Intestine Divergent and Lung Divergent
On the lateral side of the neck, level with the tip of the lanyngeal prominence, between the sternal and clavicular bellies of the sternocleidomastoid muscle
Perpendicular insertion 0.3 - 0.5 cun or oblique insertion 0.5 - 0.8 cun
Deeper needling may puncture the carotid artery or jugular vein
"The Yangming usually has much Qi and much Blood" (Su Wen 素問 ch. 24) implying this channel can normally be needled or bled.
"The hand Yin and Yang receive their Qi via nearby paths so their Qi arrive swiftly. The depth of piercing must not exceed 2 fen and must not remain inserted for longer than one exhalation" (Ling Shu 靈樞 ch. 12).
"Locate it with (the patient) prostrate. It is needled to a depth of four fen and is moxaed with three cones" (Huangfu Mi 皇甫謐, 3rd Century, Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing 針灸甲乙經).
Benefits the nose and throat
Alleviates cough and wheezing
Superficial Innervation: Greater auricular nerve (C2 - C3)
Dermatome Segment: C3
Muscle:
Sternomastoid
Location Notes:
The trigger point location should be on the belly of the sternomastoid
Pain Referral Pattern:
To back of head and from top of cheek to temple, to the forehead above the eyebrow and into the inner canthus of the eye. Some spillover onto cheek, top of head and front of throat
Indications:
Torticollis
; Myalgia of neck muscles
; Head and facial pains
This point, and Renying St-9 next to it, are the target of most "blood chokes" that aim to shut off the blood flow to the brain leading to rapid loss of consciousness.
It is even more vulnerable to slashing attacks and if severed to a depth of 1.5" will result in death in approximately 5-15 seconds (Kaiser, 2019, The Dangers from Knife and Weapon Slashing).
In seizing martial arts (Qin Na) this point is blood vessel pressing point (Dian Xue, 點脈) which is struck with the edge of the palm or the thumb tip causing sealing of the artery (Duan Mai, 斷脈) (Yang, 1995, Tai Chi Chin Na).
One of the deadliest points to strike, especially if the strike catches Renying St-9 too, which will cause immediate death with no chance of revival! Even a light blow will cause great damage and the emotions to be affected due to it being a "Window of Heaven" point. There will be a sensation of blockage in the throat with feelings such as grief arising spontaneously and a disconnection between the mind and body (Montaigue, Dim Mak Locations, Taijiworld.com).
Primarily used for problems of the throat and sudden loss of voice, especially from emotional causes due it being a Window of Heaven point.
Ling Shu Ch. 21, On Cold and Heat Diseases, describes this point as being indicated for abrupt loss of speech when the qi hardens. This chapter is the origin of the first five "Window of Heaven" points, although this name was not given until modern times.
Jin's Three Needles for Protrusion are located at this point, Tiantu Ren-22 and Shuitu St-10. They are indicated for goiter and thyroid nodules (eLotus, 2021).
Avicenna describes venesection at this point in his treatise On Venesection:
"Among the head veins are the jugulars, which are venesected at the beginning of leprosy, pharyngitis, shortness of breath, severe asthma, voice hoarseness, and vitiligo due to an excess of hot blood, as well as diseases of the spleen and the sides of the body [such as pleurisy]. As we have explained before, the vein should be punctured with a very fine blade. As to the method of restricting the vein, the head should be tilted to the opposite side of the venesected side, and select an area of the vein that is stable. As in the saphenous and sciatic veins, the clamping should be horizontal, while the incision should be longitudinal." (Aspects of Treatment According to General Diseases, 21st section in Abu-Asab, Amri & Micozzi, 2013, Avicenna's Medicine).
In ayurvedic medicine:
Siramatrika marma point
Size: 4 angula (cun)
Structure: Blood vessels.
Effect of Injury: Fatal (sadhyapranahat marma).
(Harish Johari, 1996, Ayurvedic Massage, Sanatan Society)
Lad and Durve (2008) in Marma Points of Ayurveda locate Siramantha slightly inferior to the this point, level with LI-17 but on the anterior of the SCM, and associate it with the doshas: Prana Vayu, Udana Vayu, Vyana Vayu, Ranajaka Pitta and Sadhaka Pitta.
They give the following functions:
- Regulates thyroid and parathyroid functions
- Enhances cervical lymphatic circulation
- Regulates blood pressure and cardiac functions
- Relieves neck tension
- Benefits pharynx and larynx
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
Steve Woodley Acupuncture & Traditional Medicine
90 Deane Croft Road,
Eascote, Pinner, Greater London. HA5 1SP
Tel/WhatsApp: +44 (0) 7946 174 829
Email: steve@steve-woodley.co.uk
