Bites · Everyday TCM · Pain & Injuries · Acupoint · 3–5 minutes
中渚 · Central Islet sits on the Triple Energizer (San Jiao) channel, in the hollow between the fourth and fifth metacarpal bones on the back of the hand. A short home press when the temples throb.
In brief
Zhong Zhu (中渚, TE3) sits on the dorsum of the hand, in the depression between the fourth and fifth metacarpal bones, just proximal to the knuckle line of the ring and little fingers. Either hand works. Press with a fingertip until you feel a dull soreness, then rotate on the point for three to five minutes. Repeat on both sides. Used when temporal (side) headache gathers at the temples. Stop if pain sharpens.
Point guide
Open the hand or make a soft fist. On the back of the hand, slide a fingertip between the ring and little finger knuckles, then move slightly toward the wrist until you feel a dull, tender hollow between the fourth and fifth metacarpal bones. Chinese cue: 在手背，第4、5掌骨间，第4掌指关节近端凹陷中。
Massage the point with the tip of your finger until you feel a dull soreness. That ache is the usual cue that you are on the hollow, not on bone. Chinese: 以指尖按揉至有酸胀感。
Keep that pressure and rotate the fingertip on the point for three to five minutes. Repeat on the other hand. Many people press both sides in one sitting when the temples throb. Chinese: 维持压力并旋转按揉3–5分钟，左右皆做。
Ease off if the press feels sharp, numb, or wrong. Mild ache that eases on release is common; sharp pain is a stop signal. Sudden worst-ever headache, fever with stiff neck, or weakness after head injury need urgent care, not self-press.
Try today Find the hollow between the ring and little finger knuckles on the back of either hand, then circle-press for three to five minutes on both sides.
Next step
Read the matching guide or pathway next. Book when you are ready for personalised care.
Self-press tips are educational, not personal medical advice. Book a consult for headaches that keep returning, or if pain changes character.
FAQs
On the back of the hand, in the depression between the fourth and fifth metacarpal bones, just proximal to the knuckles of the ring and little fingers. Feel for a tender hollow, not on bone. Either hand works. Chinese: 在手背，第4、5掌骨间，第4掌指关节近端凹陷中。
在手背，第4、5掌骨间，第4掌指关节近端凹陷中。取穴时在无名指与小指掌骨之间、靠近掌指关节的近端凹陷处按压，左右手皆可。
Classically on the Triple Energizer channel for temporal (side) headache that gathers at the temples. Home press is a short habit between visits, not a substitute for sudden worst-ever headache, fever with stiff neck, or headache after trauma.
Locate the hollow between the ring and little finger bones on the hand dorsum. Press with a fingertip until you feel dull soreness, then rotate on the point for three to five minutes. Repeat on both hands. Sharp pain means ease off.
Three to five minutes of rotating fingertip pressure on each side is the usual educational habit. A dull ache or deep tenderness in the hollow is the cue. Sharp pain, shooting tingling, or numbness means ease off.
Yes. TE3, SJ3, and TH3 all name Zhong Zhu (中渚) on the Triple Energizer / San Jiao channel. The landmark is the same hollow between the fourth and fifth metacarpals on the hand dorsum.
Both sides are commonly pressed in one sitting. Many people start on the same side as the throbbing temple, then repeat on the other hand.
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