ST 4 — Dì Cāng (地仓) — Earth Granary
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1. Overview
ST 4 — Dì Cāng (地仓) — is an acupuncture point on the Stomach meridian, where the channel intersects with the Large Intestine, Yang Qiao and Yang Ming meridians. It is the single most important local point in acupuncture for facial paralysis (Bell’s palsy) and is classically threaded toward ST 6 in chronic cases.
I am Dr (TCM) Attilio D’Alberto, a member of the British Acupuncture Council with over 25 years of clinical experience. I use ST 4 as part of individually tailored acupuncture prescriptions at my clinic in Wokingham, Berkshire.
2. Location
0.4 cun lateral to the corner of the mouth.
3. Actions
- Eliminates Wind and removes obstructions from the meridian
- Activates Qi and Blood flow through the face
- Treats drooping of the mouth and inability to close the lips
4. Indications
- Bell’s palsy and facial paralysis — the single most important local point
- Drooling, dribbling and inability to close the lips
- Drooping of the corner of the mouth after stroke
- Trigeminal neuralgia in the mandibular branch
- Toothache and swelling of the cheek
- Twitching of the eyelid
5. Needling
Oblique or subcutaneous insertion 0.5–1.5 cun threaded laterally toward ST 6 (Jiache) for facial paralysis. Perpendicular 0.2–0.3 cun for toothache.
6. Clinical notes
ST 4 paired with ST 6 (threaded) is the standard local treatment for Bell’s palsy. I always combine these with LI 4 (the command point of the face) and a Wind-dispelling distal point such as GB 20. Early acupuncture treatment (within the first three weeks) significantly improves recovery time and reduces the risk of residual weakness.
7. Treatment at my clinic
I treat acute and chronic Bell’s palsy with intensive courses of acupuncture incorporating ST 4. Acute cases (within 6 weeks of onset) respond very well; chronic cases (over 6 months) require longer, patient treatment. Book a consultation in Wokingham, Berkshire.
