TE-3 - Central Islet

中渚 - Zhōng zhǔ

Point Region: Hand

TE

Triple Energizer Meridian

手少阳三焦经 - Shǒu Shàoyáng Sānjiāo Jīng

Location & How to Find

Anatomical Location: On the back of the hand, between the fourth and fifth metacarpal bones, in the hollow just behind the knuckle of the ring finger.

How to Locate:

  1. Make a loose fist and find the knuckles of your ring and little fingers
  2. Slide back from between them toward the wrist
  3. The point is in the hollow just behind the ring-finger knuckle, between the two bones
TE-3 (Central Islet) acupressure point location: On the back of the hand, between the fourth and fifth metacarpal bones, in the hollow just behind the knuckle of the ring finger.

How to Apply Pressure

When TE-3 is located, press the hollow between the bones with steady, non-painful fingertip pressure rather than digging in. Avoid it after a recent hand fracture, with severe hand arthritis, or over acute hand inflammation.

Traditional Indications

In TCM, this point is traditionally used for:

  • Tinnitus
  • Deafness
  • Febrile disease
  • Arm pain
  • Ear ringing
  • Hearing loss
  • Fever
  • Hand pain
  • Wrist stiffness

Related Health Concerns

Tinnitus (Ringing in the Ears)

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

Important Precautions

Avoid this point with:

  • Recent hand fracture
  • Severe arthritis in hand
  • Acute hand inflammation