EXT-51 - Peaceful Sleep

安眠 - Ān mián

Point Region: Head

EXT

Extra Points

其他穴位 - Qítā Xuéwèi

Location & How to Find

Anatomical Location: Behind the ear, between mastoid and occipital base.

Extra points have no international location standard, and Chinese texts number and place some of them differently. This location follows common teaching.

How to Locate:

  1. Feel behind your ear for the bony prominence (mastoid process)
  2. Move toward the base of your skull
  3. Find the depression between the ear and neck
  4. Apply gentle pulsing pressure to this area
(Illustration coming soon)

How to Apply Pressure

Feel for the bony bump behind the ear and move back toward the base of the skull into the hollow between them. Press gently, one side at a time, never into the side of the neck. Stop if you feel dizzy, and skip it with an ear infection or after a neck injury.

Traditional Indications

In TCM, this point is traditionally used for:

  • Insomnia
  • Anxiety
  • Headache
  • Palpitations
  • Vertigo
  • Restlessness
  • Sleep disorders

Related Health Concerns

InsomniaAnxietyHeadachePanic AttackFeeling Faint

Select a point to see its location, how to find it, and its traditional uses.

Traditionally combined with:

EXT-51 + HT-7
Spirit Gate
EXT-51 + EXT-2
Hall of Impression

Important Precautions

Avoid this point with:

  • Ear infection
  • Neck trauma
  • Severe neck pain

Take care:

  • Avoid excessive pressure on neck structures
  • Be gentle with elderly patients
  • Stop if dizziness worsens