ST7 (Xiaguan, “Lower Gate”) is an acupuncture point on the Stomach Meridian. It is located on the face, in the depression at the lower border of the zygomatic arch, anterior to the condyloid process of the mandible. This point is best located with the mouth closed, as a depression forms which disappears upon opening the mouth. It expels wind, activates the channel, benefits the jaw, teeth, and ears, and alleviates pain.
On the face, in the depression at the lower border of the zygomatic arch, anterior to the condyloid process of the mandible. This point is best located with the mouth closed, as a depression forms which disappears upon opening the mouth.
Perpendicular insertion 0.5 to 1.0 cun. The needle may also be directed inferiorly towards the mandible or posteriorly towards the temporomandibular joint.
Expels wind, activates the channel, benefits the jaw, teeth, and ears, and alleviates pain..
Inability to open the mouth after yawning, inability to close the mouth when yawning, lockjaw, dislocation of the jaw, facial deviation, mouth and eye deviation, toothache, deafness, ear pain, tinnitus, purulent ear discharge, facial swelling, inability to chew, pain and stiffness of the neck, aversion to wind and cold..
Xiaguan is a primary local point for disorders of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), including pain, clicking, dislocation, and trismus. Its classical indications strongly emphasize its reciprocal functional relationship with the upper jaw joint (Shangguan, GB3), with warnings that improper needling of one can affect the function of the other. The prohibition against long needle retention is a key clinical guideline from the classics, suggesting a treatment strategy of obtaining qi and then immediately withdrawing the needle to avoid causing muscle spasm or lockjaw.
ST7 is one of 45 points on the Stomach Meridian. Nearby points:
ST7 (Xiaguan) is located on the face, in the depression at the lower border of the zygomatic arch, anterior to the condyloid process of the mandible. This point is best located with the mouth closed, as a depression forms which disappears upon opening the mouth.
ST7 expels wind, activates the channel, benefits the jaw, teeth, and ears, and alleviates pain. Common clinical indications include inability to open the mouth after yawning, inability to close the mouth when yawning, lockjaw, dislocation of the jaw, facial deviation, mouth and eye deviation, toothache, deafness, ear pain, tinnitus, purulent ear discharge, facial swelling, inability to chew, pain and stiffness of the neck, aversion to wind and cold.
Perpendicular insertion 0.5 to 1.0 cun. The needle may also be directed inferiorly towards the mandible or posteriorly towards the temporomandibular joint. Caution: The Huangdi Neijing and Jia Yi Jing state: '刺下關者，欠不能KT' (刺下关者，欠不能呿), meaning 'needling Xiaguan can cause one to be unable to close the mouth after yawning.' The Zi Sheng Jing elaborates, warning '下關不得久留針' (下关不得久留针), 'Xiaguan must not have the needle retained for long.' Moxibustion is contraindicated if there is dryness or discharge in the ear.
ST7 is a point on the Stomach Meridian (Zú Yángmíng Wèijīng).