ST 5 — Dà Yíng (大迎) — Great Welcome
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1. Overview
ST 5 — Dà Yíng (大迎) — is an acupuncture point on the Stomach meridian. Its English name, Great Welcome, reflects the point’s classical character and location at the angle of the jaw. It is used in acupuncture practice for facial and jaw disorders.
I am Dr (TCM) Attilio D’Alberto, a member of the British Acupuncture Council with over 25 years of clinical experience. I use ST 5 as part of individually tailored acupuncture prescriptions at my clinic in Wokingham, Berkshire.
2. Location
Anterior to the angle of the mandible, on the anterior border of the masseter muscle, in the depression where the facial artery pulsates.
3. Actions
- Expels Wind from the face
- Activates the channel
- Alleviates pain in the jaw and teeth
- Benefits the cheeks and mouth
4. Indications
- Facial paralysis (Bell's palsy)
- Toothache, especially of the lower jaw
- Trigeminal neuralgia of the mandibular branch
- Swelling of the cheek
- TMJ pain and jaw tension
- Difficulty opening the mouth (lockjaw)
- Loss of voice from local channel obstruction
5. Needling
Perpendicular insertion 0.3 cun, or oblique insertion 0.5–0.8 cun. Avoid the facial artery. Moxibustion is generally contraindicated due to the proximity of the artery.
Important: Acupuncture should only be performed by a fully qualified practitioner. Never attempt self-needling. All needles I use are sterile, single-use and disposed of immediately after treatment in a clinical sharps container.
6. Clinical notes
ST 5 Dà Yíng is one of the local points used for facial paralysis, particularly when combined with ST 4 (Dì Cāng) and ST 6 (Jiá Chē) — the classical facial-paralysis triad. The proximity to the facial artery requires careful needling. Stomach Qi runs strongly through this point, making it useful for the lower jaw and teeth.
7. Treatment at my clinic
I use ST 5 as part of tailored acupuncture prescriptions for conditions including Bell's palsy, facial pain, TMJ disorders and trigeminal neuralgia. Each treatment is individually designed following a full TCM assessment.
I see patients in person at my clinic in Wokingham, Berkshire. Visit the prices page for consultation fees. Return to the acupuncture points directory or the acupuncture main page.
