TE-18 - Spasm Vessel

瘈脉 - Qì mài

Point Region: Head

TE

Triple Energizer Meridian

手少阳三焦经 - Shǒu Shàoyáng Sānjiāo Jīng

Location & How to Find

Anatomical Location: On the head, at the centre of the bony bump behind the ear (the mastoid process), two thirds of the way along the curved line from TE-20 down to TE-17.

How to Locate:

  1. Follow the curve behind your ear from TE-20 above the ear down to TE-17 behind the earlobe
  2. Go two thirds of the way down this curve
  3. The point is on the middle of the bony bump
TE-18 (Spasm Vessel) acupressure point location: On the head, at the centre of the bony bump behind the ear (the mastoid process), two thirds of the way along the curved line from TE-20 down to TE-17.

How to Apply Pressure

After identifying TE-18 on the bony bump behind the ear, use only light surface contact over the bone and keep the touch even gentler on children. Do not use it during an active seizure disorder, after recent head trauma, or with an acute ear infection, which needs medical care.

Traditional Indications

In TCM, this point is traditionally used for:

  • Tinnitus
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Headache
  • Ear ringing
  • Nausea
  • Loose stools
  • Head pain

Related Health Concerns

Tinnitus (Ringing in the Ears)Nausea and VomitingHeadache

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

Important Precautions

Avoid this point with:

  • Active seizure disorder without medical supervision
  • Recent head trauma
  • Severe mental health conditions
  • Acute ear infections

Take care:

  • Avoid during active seizures
  • Particularly sensitive on pediatric patients