All acupuncturists know the feeling of using points we are completely comfortable with. Points we can return to as a safe foothold. We can let our fingers dance across the skin until we feel the familiar texture of the tissue around the point and quickly locate it. Or perhaps we don't even need to palpate to find it, but have an inner radar or invisible magnet that guides the needle safely towards the point, through the skin, and to the depth we seek for the desired effect.
"I have quite a few such points that just 'speak' to me, and Yìntáng is one of the very significant and beloved points. It feels like an old friend I know so well, and who at the same time can continue to surprise me and give me new 'aha' moments, because the point can move and transform on so many levels."
We all know Yìntáng / M-HN-3 (印堂). We learned it in our training, and have needled it many times, but what is it about Yìntáng that is so special?
My personal journey with Yìntáng
"My biggest revelation about the use of Yìntáng came to me in Saigon, Vietnam in 2012, where I had a group of students practicing under the guidance of Dr. Truon Thin."
Dr. Thin was unique in his approach to Chinese medicine, and besides acupuncture and philosophy, he was a poet, musician, and visual artist. His approach to needling an acupuncture point is that the very contact with the point with the needle is like planting a lotus seed, nurturing the seed, and letting it grow into the most beautiful lotus flower. His description of Yìntáng was its ability to let us look inward. To look inward without emotions, habits, ambitions, and intellect blurring the image. Like a meditation where you lift your inner vision beyond the aforementioned disturbances, and let yourself see infinitely in all directions. Like Ming in YangMing where the sun's light hits the moon, allowing us to step out of the deepest darkness and see clearly.
My experience has since taught me that other acupuncture points can also have some of these effects, and they can sometimes even be too overwhelming for clients to handle. For example, several 'Windows of Heaven' points where a strong De Qi (needle sensation) can provide such a powerful inner light that it can blind, causing one to turn away from the light instead of moving towards it.
Yìntáng calms the Shen and removes all unnecessary noise. It provides the inner peace necessary to recharge. Inner peace provides security, and Yìntáng thus also works on anxiety issues in all their forms.
Yìntáng in research
Yìntáng is used as a supplement to NADA, and is widely used in research, often combined with Shénmén (H-7) and Nèiguān (P-6) for conditions such as insomnia and stress-related disorders. As part of my own Master of Science degree from Northern College of York, my final research project focused on how signs of anxiety in the face can be changed during an acupuncture course. I created a model for recognizing these facial signs and tested it on a number of clients.
Each client was individually diagnosed and, along with dàzhòng (N-4), Yìntáng was the point that most frequently recurred. This says something about its effect and my affection for the point. The results of the thesis will also be published as a research article in 2021.
In addition to the psycho-emotional effects of Yìntáng, according to Deadman & Al-Khafaji, the point can also lower blood pressure, relieve headaches, expel internal and external wind, and locally strengthen the nose when it is blocked, runny, and for sinus congestion and nosebleeds.
Yìntáng in cosmetic acupuncture
Yìntáng opens the glabella (the area between the eyebrows) and creates better 'space' in the area. This means less liver qi stagnation, more openness, and approachability. It relaxes the facial muscles locally, making the facial expression softer, and along with Qian zheng, M-7, M-8, Gb-8, it opens the entire face and creates more symmetry and a softer and rejuvenated appearance. Buy your cosmetic needles HERE.
It can also be combined with Ren-23 for more harmony in the upper and lower parts of the face, and is generally wonderful to use when working with cosmetic acupuncture or just wanting to calm a tense face. If you want to learn more about these combinations and inner beauty reflected externally, you are welcome to contact Copenhagen & Aarhus Acupuncture School to hear more about courses in cosmetic acupuncture.
When needling Yìntáng
My recommendation when using Yìntáng is to have the utmost respect for the point's effect and significance. You can open the glabella area by gently stroking with two fingers between the eyebrows and across the forehead past Gb-14 and towards Gb-8. Repeat this stroking several times until you can feel that the tissue is completely relaxed and the lines between the eyebrows have softened. Then spread the skin with two fingers and keep it spread while gently needling Yìntáng with a thin needle. Use a needle of about 0.16 x 15 mm. and needle from top to bottom towards the bridge of the nose. Buy the mentioned needle HERE.
Enjoy using Yìntáng
