A quiet but capable point on the crown of the head. Quchai (BL-4) clears the nose, calms the eyes and steadies the mind — a reliable local point whenever Wind and Heat rise to trouble the head.
Name & story
The name 曲差 Quchai carries a gentle riddle. 曲 (qū) means "curved" or "winding", and 差 (chāi) carries the sense of "diverging" or "going off at an angle". The Bladder Meridian (BL) runs in a remarkably straight line up the back of the body, but here, near the top of the forehead, its inner branch curves slightly inward toward the midline before continuing on its path. The name simply describes that small, graceful detour — the channel bending as it passes over the head.
Point family & character
Quchai (BL-4) belongs to the Bladder Meridian (BL). It sits on the inner branch of the channel as it travels across the scalp, serving as a local and adjacent point for the head, face and sense organs.
Location
Find the midpoint of the front hairline (that is the location of Du-24). Move 1.5 Cun to either side — you land on BL-4. It sits just inside the hairline, roughly above the inner corner of the eyebrow.
Anatomy & fascia
The point lies on the scalp, within the frontalis muscle.
Needling
The needle is inserted horizontally (flat along the scalp), as is standard for scalp points.
Moxa, cupping & Tui Na
The point responds well to gentle massage and acupressure along the scalp. Firm circular pressure with a fingertip at BL-4 can help ease nasal congestion and frontal headache. Because it sits on the scalp, a warm hand or gentle heat can also be soothing when Wind Cold is the cause.
Functions
Expels Wind and clears Heat from the head. Opens the nasal passages and relieves congestion. Benefits the eyes. Clears the head and calms the Shen.
Indications
Headache and pain across the forehead. Nasal congestion, blocked nose, loss of smell, rhinitis and sinusitis. Eye pain and visual disturbances. Dizziness and heaviness of the head.
Mind & spirit (Shen)
When Wind or Heat rises and fills the head, the mind loses its clarity — thinking becomes foggy, the eyes feel heavy, and a dull ache sits behind the forehead like a weight that will not lift. Quchai (BL-4), by clearing the head and opening what is congested above, helps the Shen find its quiet again. It is a modest but real contribution: when the head is light and the nose is open, the spirit settles more easily.
Point combinations
With Du-23 and BL-3 — for frontal headache and nasal congestion along the forehead. With LI-20 (Yingxiang) — to open the nose and relieve sinusitis. With Du-24 (Shenting) — to calm the mind and address dizziness or heaviness of the head.
Clinical spotlight
Quchai (BL-4) is a dependable local point for the front of the head and the nose. Its most practical use is in rhinitis and sinusitis — especially when there is frontal pressure and nasal blockage — where it works well alongside other points that open the nose. Because the Bladder Meridian (BL) governs the body's outer defensive surface and is the first channel to be invaded by external Wind, BL-4's position at the top of the forehead makes it well placed to help expel Wind that has lodged in the head and settled into the sinuses or eyes.
The golden tip
For a stuffy nose or a tight, heavy forehead, find BL-4 just inside your front hairline, about 1.5 Cun to the side of the midline. Use your fingertip to press and make small circles for one to two minutes on each side. Many people find this eases nasal pressure and helps the head feel clearer, especially at the beginning of a cold or seasonal allergy flare.
For education only — not medical advice. Consult a qualified practitioner.