SI 18 — Quán Liáo (颧髎) — Cheek Bone Crevice
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1. Overview
SI 18 — Quán Liáo (颧髎) — is an acupuncture point on the Small Intestine meridian and a meeting point of the Small Intestine and San Jiao channels. It is one of the most useful local points in acupuncture for facial pain, particularly trigeminal neuralgia, and is a key point for Bell’s palsy affecting the cheek.
I am Dr (TCM) Attilio D’Alberto, a member of the British Acupuncture Council with over 25 years of clinical experience. I use SI 18 as part of individually tailored acupuncture prescriptions at my clinic in Wokingham, Berkshire.
2. Location
Directly below the outer canthus of the eye, in the depression on the lower border of the zygomatic bone.
3. Actions
- Eliminates Wind from the face
- Clears Heat and relieves facial pain
- Activates the meridian and reduces facial swelling
4. Indications
- Trigeminal neuralgia, especially maxillary and ophthalmic branches
- Bell’s palsy and facial paralysis
- Twitching of the lower eyelid
- Toothache of the upper teeth
- Sinusitis with facial pressure
- Acne and rosacea over the cheek
5. Needling
Perpendicular insertion 0.3–0.5 cun, or oblique insertion towards the corner of the mouth 0.5–1 cun.
6. Clinical notes
SI 18 is the most painful of the facial points when needled, but is also one of the most effective for facial pain. I combine it with LI 4, ST 7 and GB 20 for trigeminal neuralgia. For Bell’s palsy it is an essential part of the local point selection alongside ST 4 and ST 6.
7. Treatment at my clinic
I treat trigeminal neuralgia, atypical facial pain, Bell’s palsy and chronic sinusitis with bespoke acupuncture prescriptions incorporating SI 18. Book a consultation in Wokingham, Berkshire.
