GB-3 - Upper Gate

上关 - Shàng guān

Point Region: Head

GB

Gallbladder Meridian

足少阳胆经 - Zú Shàoyáng Dǎn Jīng

GB-3, or 'Shangguan' (meaning 'Upper Gate'), is a local point located on the side of the head. Its name refers to its position as an 'upper gate' where it can be used to address issues related to the jaw and the head.

As a local point, Shangguan is primarily used for issues related to the jaw and the head, such as a stiff jaw, a headache, and a sense of 'stuckness' in the jaw. It is a go-to point for 'clearing heat' and 'regulating' the flow of energy in the jaw and head. By stimulating this point, you can help to restore a sense of balance and harmony to the entire body.

Shangguan acts as a vital access point to the core of the body, providing a direct and effective way to address blockages and restore a sense of comfort and vitality to the upper body. It's a reminder of the power of local points to provide targeted relief and restore a sense of comfort and vitality to the entire body.

Location & How to Find

Anatomical Location: At the upper border of the zygomatic arch, in the depression anterior to the ear.

How to Locate:

  1. Locate your ear and cheekbone
  2. Find the bony arch (zygomatic arch) that runs from your ear toward your cheek
  3. Place your finger on the upper edge of this arch
  4. Feel for a depression just in front of your ear
  5. This is GB-3, above the jaw joint
Location illustration for At the upper border of the zygomatic arch, in the depression anterior to the ear.

Primary Functions

Auditory System

  • Treats ear infections and inflammation
  • Relieves ear pain and otalgia
  • Improves hearing disorders
  • Reduces acoustic hypersensitivity

Musculoskeletal System

  • Relieves TMJ disorders and jaw pain
  • Reduces facial muscle tension
  • Treats trigeminal neuralgia

Nervous System

  • Alleviates temporal headaches
  • Calms facial nerve disorders
  • Improves mental alertness

Clinical Applications

Primary Indications

  • Facial paralysis
  • Tinnitus
  • Jaw tension
  • Headache
  • Tmj dysfunction
  • Earache
  • Facial pain
  • Trigeminal neuralgia

Related Health Concerns

Common Conditions:

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GB-3 Protocols

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