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Alternate names: 体脉 tǐ mài, Corporal Vessel; 资脉 zī mài, Supporting Vessel

Channel: TB, hand lesser yáng (shào yáng) triple burner channel

Modern location: An acupoint located on the lateral aspect of the head, posterior to the helix of the ear, at the center of the mastoid process, one third of the distance around the arc formed by connecting TB-17 and TB-20.

Classical location: Behind the base of the ear, at the cyan network vessels that resemble a chicken’s foot. From The Great Compendium of Acupuncture and Moxibustion (针灸大成 zhēn jiǔ dà chéng)

Local anatomy: The posterior auricular artery and vein. The posterior auricular branch of the great auricular nerve.

Action: Clears heat and resolves tetany; quickens the network vessels and relieves pain; opens the orifices.

Modern indications: Headache; tinnitus; deafness; child fright wind.

Classical indications: Child fright epilepsy (jīng xián) and tugging and slackening; retching and vomiting; diarrhea; head wind; poor eyesight; fright and fear; seminal emission.

Needle stimulus: Needling: 0.1‒0.3 cùn perpendicular insertion or bleed a few drops of blood. Moxa: 3 cones; pole 5‒10 min.

Point name meaning:

• 瘈 chì, jì: to pull, jerk; spasm
• 脉 màǐ: vessel, pulse

TB-18 is used in the treatment of a disease called 瘈瘲 (chì zòng), tugging and slackening, which is tensing or pulling of the muscles immediately followed by relaxation, i.e., clonic spasm. This type of spasm is generally associated with epileptic diseases or psychotic fits. The use of this point in treating this disease is most likely the reason for the name Spasm Vessel.

Also at this location is a blood vessel shaped like a chicken’s foot that appears to pull at the ear. A rendering of the point name as Tugging Vessel would correspond to this image. See acupoint names: origins, meanings, and translations.

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