LI 17 — Tiān Dǐng (天鼎) — Heaven's Tripod
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1. Overview
LI 17 — Tiān Dǐng (天鼎) — is an acupuncture point on the Large Intestine meridian. Its English name, Heaven's Tripod, reflects the point’s classical character and location. It is used in acupuncture practice as part of channel-balancing prescriptions for a range of conditions.
I am Dr (TCM) Attilio D’Alberto, a member of the British Acupuncture Council with over 25 years of clinical experience. I use LI 17 as part of individually tailored acupuncture prescriptions at my clinic in Wokingham, Berkshire.
2. Location
On the lateral side of the neck, 1 cun inferior to LI-18 Futu, on the posterior border of the sternocleidomastoid.
3. Actions
- Benefits the throat and voice
4. Indications
- Tonsillitis
- Laryngitis
- Scrofula
- Paralysis of the hypoglossis muscle
- Rattling sounds in the throat
- Difficult ingestion
- Sudden loss of voice
- Sore throat
- Goiter
5. Needling
Straight insertion, 0.5 to 1 cun.
Important: Acupuncture should only be performed by a fully qualified practitioner. Never attempt self-needling. All needles I use are sterile, single-use and disposed of immediately after treatment in a clinical sharps container.
6. Clinical notes
LI 17 Tiān Dǐng (Heaven's Tripod) is used as part of channel-balancing prescriptions tailored to the patient’s individual TCM diagnosis.
7. Treatment at my clinic
I use LI 17 as part of tailored acupuncture prescriptions following a full TCM assessment.
I see patients in person at my clinic in Wokingham, Berkshire. Visit the prices page for consultation fees. Return to the acupuncture points directory or the acupuncture main page.
