EX-HN5 (Taiyang / Supreme Yang) Acupuncture Point Guide
Practitioner Guide from The Acupuncture Supply Co.
Professional acupuncture supplies and clinical reference material for qualified practitioners.
Taiyang EX-HN5 is the extra point in the temple region. It is separate from Yintang between the eyebrows, despite both appearing frequently in facial-point guides. The external eyebrow and eye landmarks provide orientation; palpation and vascular assessment remain essential before considering any local technique.
Practitioner only. This is an educational reference, not a self-needling guide.
EX-HN5 Taiyang quick reference
| Point name | EX-HN5 — Taiyang (Supreme Yang) |
|---|---|
| Other names / codes | Taiyang |
| Channel | Extra point of the head and neck |
| Classification | Extra point; bilateral temporal point |
| Region | Temple |
| Laterality | Bilateral |
| Core landmark | Temporal depression about one cun behind the midpoint between the eyebrow's lateral end and the outer eye corner. |
Location of EX-HN5 Taiyang
Identify the lateral end of the eyebrow and the outer canthus of the eye. Establish the midpoint between them, then assess the temporal hollow about one cun posterior to that midpoint. Confirm the depression on the patient's own anatomy; a hairline or the ear alone does not define Taiyang.
Landmark checks
- Use the outer, not inner, eye corner as the facial landmark.
- Keep the point in the temple region and away from the orbit.
- Identify visible or palpable superficial vessels before considering local treatment.
Traditional functions of EX-HN5
- Traditionally clears Wind and Heat affecting the head.
- Used in traditional approaches to temporal discomfort.
- Associated with benefiting the eyes in historical point descriptions.
These terms belong to traditional acupuncture theory. They should be distinguished from evidence about clinical outcomes.
Traditional clinical applications
Traditional discussions include headache, temple discomfort and eye-related symptoms. The term headache covers many different conditions. Location and duration, new neurological symptoms, medicines and changes in vision matter more than whether a tender spot corresponds to the point. A red or painful eye should not be treated as a routine acupuncture presentation without assessment.
Common point combinations
- Taiyang + GB20: a traditional head-and-neck pairing for selected headache patterns, with the separate precautions at GB20 observed.
- Taiyang + LI4: a local-and-distal pairing considered within a complete facial or headache assessment.
These are traditional treatment-planning examples, not fixed prescriptions. Assess each point separately and select a combination only when it fits the full presentation and your training.
Anatomy and practitioner notes
The temporal region contains superficial temporal vessels and sensory nerve branches. Their course varies and cannot be read from the marker. The nearby orbit requires particular care in positioning, communication and technique. Ask about facial procedures, injuries, medicines affecting bleeding and changes in vision.
Needling and essential safety
Avoid visible vessels and do not direct a needle towards the orbit. This guide does not describe bloodletting. Sudden severe headache, new neurological deficit or acute visual loss requires emergency assessment. A new temporal headache with scalp tenderness, jaw pain on chewing or visual symptoms can indicate giant cell arteritis and needs urgent medical care.
Technique must follow individual anatomy and accredited training. Use sterile, single-use needles and suitable infection-control measures. Review health history, medicines, skin condition and consent before treatment.
Frequently asked questions
Is Taiyang another name for Yintang?
No. Taiyang EX-HN5 is bilateral at the temples; Yintang EX-HN3 is between the eyebrows.
Does one cun mean one centimetre?
No. Cun is a traditional proportional measurement. Use the specified landmarks and clinical training rather than a fixed centimetre conversion.
Is this a guide to self-needling?
No. Needling requires appropriate professional training, anatomical assessment and a safe clinical setting.
Continue exploring Project Lotus
Read the Yintang EX-HN3 guide and GB20 guide, or browse all Acupuncture Point Guides.
For clinic supplies, browse our professional acupuncture needles and the wider Practitioner Guides.
Professional reference: Written for qualified acupuncture practitioners. Traditional functions and pairing examples describe a clinical tradition; they are not claims of proven efficacy for an individual point. The guide does not replace accredited training, diagnosis, informed consent or a patient-specific treatment plan. Surface illustrations cannot determine safe needle depth or direction.
References and further reading: eLotus CORE: Taiyang (EX-HN5); NCCIH: Acupuncture — Effectiveness and Safety; NHS: Complementary therapies and safety; NHS: Temporal arteritis. Accessed 18 September 2026.
