The point that opens the sky. Tongtian (BL-7) is the master point of the nose and head on the Bladder Meridian (BL) — clearing blocked passages, dispelling Wind and Heat from above, and letting the senses breathe freely again.
Contraindications
This point is forbidden when the scalp is infected or broken. As with all scalp points, keep to a transverse needle direction and the stated shallow depth.
Name & story
通天 Tongtian means "Penetrating Heaven" or "Reaching to Heaven". There is a quiet poetry in this name: the nose is the gateway between the human body below and the air, sky and world above. When the nose is blocked — stuffed, congested, unable to smell — the connection to Heaven is closed. Tongtian reopens it. The name also speaks to the point's position, high on the crown of the head, close to the vault of the sky, where the Yang of the body rises to its highest point.
Point family & character
Tongtian (BL-7) belongs to the Bladder Meridian (BL), which travels over the entire crown of the head before descending the back. The point sits on the scalp, along the inner branch of the channel as it passes over the top of the head.
Five-element dynamics
The Bladder Meridian (BL) is the great Yang channel of the Water element — its channel travels the longest path in the body, from the inner corner of the eye up over the crown of the head and all the way down the back to the little toe. BL-7 sits near the very top of this journey, on the crown itself. In Chinese medicine, Wind and pathogenic influences attack the body from above and from the exterior — and the head, as the highest and most Yang part of the body, is the first to be struck. Tongtian, positioned at that summit, intercepts Wind and Heat before they settle deeper, and clears the orifices so that Qi and awareness can flow freely upward.
Location
On the top of the head, 4 Cun above the anterior hairline and 1.5 Cun lateral to the anterior midline. A practical way to find it: locate BL-6 (Chengguang) and move 1.5 Cun further back along the same lateral line.
Anatomy & fascia
The point lies on the scalp, in the galea aponeurotica (the fibrous sheet covering the skull), overlying the frontal and parietal bones.
Needling
The needle is inserted transversely (horizontally along the scalp), as is standard for all scalp points.
Safe depth
0.3–0.5 Cun transversely. A local sensation of distension can be felt.
Moxa, cupping & Tui Na
Moxibustion is applicable: 3–5 cones of cone moxibustion, or a moxa stick held over the point for 5–10 minutes. Gentle scalp massage over the area can also support the opening of the nasal passages and relief of head heaviness.
Functions
Clears Heat and dispels Wind from the head. Opens the nasal orifices and restores the sense of smell. Improves vision and opens the sensory orifices. Relieves headache and dizziness.
Indications
Nasal congestion, profuse nasal discharge, loss of smell, rhinitis. Headache, dizziness, blurred vision. Fever without sweating. Eye pain and visual disturbance.
Mind & spirit (Shen)
When the head is heavy and the nose is blocked, the mind feels foggy too — as if a cloud has settled over one's awareness. Tongtian, by clearing the upper orifices and dispelling Wind and Heat from the head, helps lift that fog. The sense of suddenly being able to breathe freely again, to smell and perceive the world clearly, has its own quiet brightening effect on the Shen.
Point combinations
With local nasal and frontal points to open the nasal passages and address rhinitis or loss of smell. With points that dispel Wind and clear the head for Wind-Heat headache and congestion.
Clinical spotlight
Tongtian (BL-7) is one of the most specific scalp points for disorders of the nose. Its name — "Penetrating Heaven" — perfectly captures its clinical action: it reopens the channel between the human body and the outside air. Notably, the neighbouring point BL-6 (Chengguang, "Receive Brightness") takes its name from brightening the eyes, while Tongtian just behind it focuses on the nose and upper orifices — together, this cluster of Bladder Meridian (BL) scalp points forms a powerful team for clearing the head, eyes and nose of Wind, Heat and obstruction.
The golden tip
For a blocked nose or heavy head, try gently massaging the area 4 Cun back from your hairline and 1.5 Cun to either side of the midline — you are in the neighbourhood of Tongtian. Small circular movements with the fingertips on the scalp for 1–2 minutes can help ease congestion and clear the head. Inhaling steam beforehand makes the massage even more effective.
For education only — not medical advice. Consult a qualified practitioner.