Yú Yāo (鱼腰) — Fish Waist
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1. Overview
Yú Yāo (鱼腰) — literally Fish Waist — is an extra (EX) acupuncture point located mid-eyebrow. It is one of the most useful local points in acupuncture for upper-face conditions including supraorbital neuralgia, eyelid twitching and frontal-region facial paralysis.
I am Dr (TCM) Attilio D’Alberto, a member of the British Acupuncture Council with over 25 years of clinical experience. I use Yu Yao as part of individually tailored acupuncture prescriptions at my clinic in Wokingham, Berkshire.
2. Location
In the centre of the eyebrow, directly above the pupil when the eyes look straight ahead.
3. Actions
- Eliminates Wind and brightens the eyes
- Activates the meridian and relieves pain in the forehead
- Benefits the upper eyelid
4. Indications
- Supraorbital neuralgia (trigeminal V1 branch)
- Twitching of the upper eyelid
- Ptosis (drooping eyelid)
- Facial paralysis affecting the forehead
- Red, painful eyes and conjunctivitis
- Frontal headache
- Glaucoma (adjunctive)
5. Needling
Subcutaneous insertion along the eyebrow toward either the medial (Cuanzhu, BL 2) or lateral (Sizhukong, TB 23) end, 0.3–0.5 cun.
6. Clinical notes
Yu Yao completes the “eyebrow line” with BL 2 (Cuanzhu) medially and TB 23 (Sizhukong) laterally. For supraorbital neuralgia I needle Yu Yao with subcutaneous threading toward BL 2 along the path of the supraorbital nerve. For Bell’s palsy affecting the forehead Yu Yao is essential when the patient cannot raise the eyebrow.
7. Treatment at my clinic
I use Yu Yao for supraorbital neuralgia, eyelid twitching, Bell’s palsy affecting the upper face and chronic frontal headache. Book a consultation in Wokingham, Berkshire.
