ST 6 — Jiá Chē (颊车) — Jaw Chariot
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1. Overview
ST 6 — Jiá Chē (颊车) — is an acupuncture point on the Stomach meridian. It is the single most important local point in acupuncture for jaw and TMJ disorders, and an essential partner to ST 4 in the treatment of Bell’s palsy.
I am Dr (TCM) Attilio D’Alberto, a member of the British Acupuncture Council with over 25 years of clinical experience. I use ST 6 as part of individually tailored acupuncture prescriptions at my clinic in Wokingham, Berkshire.
2. Location
One finger-breadth (middle finger) anterior and superior to the angle of the jaw, in the depression where the masseter muscle bulges when the teeth are clenched.
3. Actions
- Eliminates Wind from the face
- Activates the meridian and benefits the jaw
- Relieves pain in the teeth and TMJ
4. Indications
- Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain, clicking, locking and dysfunction
- Bruxism (teeth grinding) and jaw tension
- Bell’s palsy and facial paralysis
- Trigeminal neuralgia in the mandibular branch
- Toothache (especially of the lower jaw)
- Mumps and acute parotitis
- Lockjaw (trismus)
5. Needling
Perpendicular insertion 0.3–0.5 cun for toothache and TMJ. Subcutaneous insertion threaded toward ST 4 (Dicang) for facial paralysis, 1–2 cun.
6. Clinical notes
For TMJ disorders, needle ST 6 with the patient’s jaw slightly open and pair with ST 7, SI 19 and LI 4. For Bell’s palsy use the threading technique to ST 4. ST 6 is also exquisitely effective for stress-related jaw clenching when combined with LIV 3 and Yin Tang.
7. Treatment at my clinic
I treat TMJ disorders, bruxism, Bell’s palsy and trigeminal neuralgia with bespoke acupuncture prescriptions incorporating ST 6. Book a consultation in Wokingham, Berkshire.
