A gentle but effective point on the side of the head, Jiaosun (SJ-20) sits right above the ear and works quietly to clear the head, benefit the ears and eyes, and dispel Wind and Damp Heat from the upper body. Small and subtle, it earns its place in any treatment for head, ear or eye complaints.
Contraindications
Jiaosun (SJ-20) is a safe scalp-region point. Standard subcutaneous needling technique applies; no special contraindications are noted in the sources.
Name & story
The name 角孙 Jiaosun carries two beautiful layers. The most vivid translation is "Antler's Sprout" — the point sits on the side of the head, exactly where the antlers of a deer would begin to grow, branching upward from just above the ear. There is something fresh and vital in that image: a young shoot pushing upward, full of potential. A second reading links "Jiao" to an ancient Chinese constellation, and the local points in this region were said to resemble its stars scattered across the sky. Both images capture the same sense of something luminous and rising on the upper part of the head.
Point family & character
Jiaosun (SJ-20) belongs to the San Jiao channel (SJ), which governs the movement and transformation of Qi and fluids across the three body cavities. As a local head point of the San Jiao channel, it sits at the intersection of the channel's upward reach toward the ear and temple. Some sources also note an interesting connection in the German acupuncture system, which regards this point as one of the most important points in the body for endocrine regulation, linking it to the function of the hypothalamus.
Five-element dynamics
The San Jiao channel belongs to the Fire element — specifically to Minister Fire, the warming, activating force that moves through all three levels of the body. When Damp Heat rises from the Stomach or Gallbladder and accumulates in the upper regions — the ears, eyes, or sides of the head — the San Jiao channel becomes congested. Jiaosun, sitting high up on the channel's path above the ear, helps to open that congestion, dispel the accumulated Heat and Dampness, and restore the clear, free flow of Qi. Its location also makes it a natural point for Dispelling Wind from the head — since the sides and top of the skull are exposed pathways for external Wind to enter.
Location
To find Jiaosun (SJ-20), gently fold the ear forward. The point lies directly above the tip of the ear, right at the hairline. It is a simple and reliable location — no measuring required, just follow the ear upward.
Anatomy & fascia
The point lies within the hairline directly above the apex of the ear, over the temporal region of the skull.
Needling
The golden tip
If your head feels heavy and foggy, or you have mild tension or discomfort around the ear or temple, try pressing Jiaosun (SJ-20) gently with a fingertip. Fold your ear forward and find the spot right at the hairline above the ear tip. Hold steady, gentle pressure for one to two minutes on each side. It is safe and simple to do at home whenever the head feels congested or dull.
For education only — not medical advice. Consult a qualified practitioner.