Modern beauty culture demands a high price from your wallet, your time, and often, the environment. In response, more and more people are seeking cleaner, more sustainable alternatives that do more than just polish the surface. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) offers one such option, and it’s been around for thousands of years.
Celestial Appearance (Tian Rong, SI17) is an acupoint under the jawbone that nourishes your skin while offering many other surprising health benefits. Think of it as beauty 2.0, where looking better comes with feeling better.
A Sky Window With Multiple Rewards
Tian Rong is no ordinary point—it’s one of the ten “Window of the Sky” acupoints first recorded in the classic “Ling Shu” (“Spiritual Pivot”). These points are known for helping to regulate the flow of vital energy or qi in the neck and head. In TCM theory, there’s a saying, “If qi flows, blood flows.”
Regular stimulation of Tian Rong is said to tone facial muscles, improve skin complexion, and promote a younger, more refreshed appearance. It is also often used to help treat dull skin tone or sun spots—all of this without a serum, laser, or filter in sight.
Beyond Beauty: Pain Relief and Respiratory Support
Tian Rong is commonly known for its cosmetic benefits, but recent studies have focused on its therapeutic properties. In TCM, Tian Rong is often included in acupuncture protocols for treating migraines. In a controlled study, researchers investigated the effectiveness of this acupoint by electrically stimulating the trigeminal ganglion in rats to induce brain inflammation, a known contributor to migraine pain. The results showed that Tian Rong significantly reduced inflammation more effectively than standard anti-inflammatory drug injections.
Another study compared the effects of an acupuncture treatment protocol, which included Tian Rong, to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy for patients with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome. While CPAP provided immediate results during its use, acupuncture demonstrated noticeable improvements in sleep quality and breathing that set in later in the treatment and lasted after treatment ended. Although the exact mechanism behind these benefits is still under investigation, Tian Rong is believed to help alleviate swelling or tension in the throat area by improving circulation and reducing inflammation, in line with TCM principles.
How to Locate and Stimulate Tian Rong
To locate Tian Rong, trace your fingers along the lower edge of your jawbone. As you move toward the neck, you’ll feel a bony angle—the angle of the mandible. Just below that angle, in the depression in front of the ropey muscle on the side of your neck (sternocleidomastoid muscle), lies Tian Rong. It may feel slightly tender or sore under pressure, especially if you’re experiencing inflammation or an energetic blockage.
How to Activate This Multi-Purpose Point
- Firm pressure: Press with your finger for three to five seconds, relax for three seconds, and repeat for one to three minutes per side.
- Circular massage: Use your thumb or index finger to massage the point in slow, even circles for one to three minutes on each side.
- Herbal patch: Apply an herbal patch overnight for a lasting stimulation.
- Professional treatment: A TCM practitioner may use acupuncture, cupping, or moxibustion for deeper effects based on your current health conditions and goals.
Precautions
Skip this point if you have an injury in the neck area. Avoid harsh chemicals in any topical applications, especially if you have sensitive skin prone to allergic reactions. Opt for natural formulations instead.
Tap Into Your Natural Glow
Whether you’re interested in bringing youthful radiance to your skin, calming a migraine, or sleeping more soundly, Tian Rong offers a versatile, side-effect-free way to reconnect with your body. Incorporating this point into your self-care routine encourages better blood flow and invites a moment of mindfulness. In the end, that’s what real wellness—and timeless beauty—is all about.
TCM expert Shihhsiang Hung reviewed this article for accuracy and clarity.
Originally published in Epoch Times on 30 May 2025
