ST 7 — Xià Guān (下关) — Below the Joint
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1. Overview
ST 7 — Xià Guān (下关) — is an acupuncture point on the Stomach meridian and a meeting point of the Stomach and Gallbladder channels. It is the most important local point in acupuncture for temporomandibular joint disorders and an indispensable point for ear conditions such as tinnitus and deafness.
I am Dr (TCM) Attilio D’Alberto, a member of the British Acupuncture Council with over 25 years of clinical experience. I use ST 7 as part of individually tailored acupuncture prescriptions at my clinic in Wokingham, Berkshire.
2. Location
In the depression anterior to the ear, on the lower border of the zygomatic arch and in front of the condyloid process of the mandible. Locate with the mouth closed.
3. Actions
- Eliminates Wind from the face
- Benefits the ears and teeth
- Activates the meridian and relieves TMJ pain
4. Indications
- TMJ pain, clicking and dysfunction — the primary point
- Tinnitus and deafness
- Ear infections and earache
- Trigeminal neuralgia, especially mandibular branch
- Toothache
- Bell’s palsy
- Lockjaw and dislocation of the jaw
5. Needling
Perpendicular insertion 0.5–1 cun with the mouth closed. Deep insertion can reach the TMJ joint capsule; this is the desired depth for joint disorders.
6. Clinical notes
ST 7 is paired with ST 6 for TMJ disorders and with SI 19 and TB 21 for ear conditions. The three peri-auricular points (SI 19, TB 21, ST 7) are often needled together as a unit for ear pathology. For trigeminal neuralgia I combine ST 7 with LI 4 and ST 44.
7. Treatment at my clinic
I treat TMJ dysfunction, chronic tinnitus, sudden-onset deafness and trigeminal neuralgia with bespoke acupuncture prescriptions incorporating ST 7. Book a consultation in Wokingham, Berkshire.
