ACUPUNCTURE
Xia Guan: TCM Acupoint Guide
XIAGUAN
Name
Xia Guan (Xiaguan)
Location
With the mouth closed, in the hollow between the zygomatic arch and the mandibular notch, in the depression at the inferior border of the zygomatic arch anterior to the condyloid process.
Needling
- Straight insertion for trigeminal neuralgia, needle pointed slightly downward, 1.5 cun. Sensation: distention and soreness in the vicinity of the point or an electric, numb sensation extending to the lower gums.
- Slanted insertion for temporomandibular arthritis, needle directed either backward or forward, 0.5 to 1 cun. Sensation: distention and soreness extending throughout the jaw.
- Transverse insertion for toothache, needle directed toward either the upper or lower teeth in the direction of ST-6 Jiache, 1.5 to 2 cun. Sensation: distention and soreness extending to the upper and lower teeth.
- Slanted insertion for ear diseases, directed toward the ear, 1.5 cun. Sensation: distention and soreness possibly extending into the ear.
- Slanted insertion for spasms of the masseter muscle, needle downward, 1.5 to 2 cun. Sensation: local distention and soreness.
- Puncture perpendicularly 0.3 to 0.5 cun.
- Moxibustion is applicable.
- Perpendicular insertion slightly inferiorly 0.5 to 1 cun.
- Transverse insertion to join with such points as SI-19 Tinggong, ST-6 Jiache and ST-18 Qianliao for diseases of the ear, teeth, face and jaw.
Command Functions
- Meeting point of the Gall Bladder channel
Actions
- Benefits the ears, jaw and teeth
- Activates the channel
- Alleviates pain
Indications
- Toothache
- Temporomandibular arthritis
- Spasms of the masseter muscle
- Facial paralysis
- Trigeminal neuralgia
- Otitis media
- Deaf-mutism
- Lockjaw
- Gingivitis
- Alveolodental pyorrhea
- Otorrhea
- Itching and purulent discharge from the ear
- Pain of the cheek
- Swelling of the cheek
- Yawning
- Tinnitus
- Earache
- Pus in the ear
- Deafness
- Dislocated jaw
- Mouth and eyes awry
- Temporomandibular joint dysfunction
- Facial pain
- Motor impairment of the jaw
- Loose teeth
- Hemiplegia
- Pain of the teeth of the lower jaw
- Swelling and pain of the gums of the lower jaw
- Visual dizziness
Combinations
| Points | Indications |
|---|---|
| LI-4 Hegu | Temporomandibular arthritis |
| ST-6 Jiache, SJ-17 Yifeng | Spasms of the masseter muscle |
| SJ-21 Ermen, SJ-17 Yifeng, SJ-3 Zhongzhu | Deaf-mutism |
| LI-5 Yangxi, SJ-1 Guanchong, SJ-2 Yemen, SI-5 Yanggu | Deafness and tinnitus |
| SJ-7 Huizong, SJ-17 Yifeng | Deafness |
| ST-5 Daying, SJ-17 Yifeng, SI-4 Wangu | Toothache and tooth decay |
| GB-3 Shangguan | Deviation of the mouth and eye with hemiplegia |
| ST-5 Daying, SJ-17 Yifeng | Yawning and pain of the lower teeth |
| SJ-17 Yifeng, ST-4 Dicang, ST-6 Jiache, ST-2 Sibai, LI-4 Hegu | Facial paralysis |
| ST-44 Neiting | Problems of the upper jaw and toothache |
Notes
For the treatment of facial pain and trigeminal neuralgia, this point is sometimes needled 0.5 cun anterior to its textbook location.
Sources and further reading
We cite classical materia medica and modern reference works. This article is health education, not medical advice.
- Shennong Bencao Jing (The Divine Farmer's Materia Medica), Han dynasty.
- Bencao Gangmu (Compendium of Materia Medica), Li Shizhen, 1578.
- Chinese Pharmacopoeia, current edition — identity, quality and safety monographs.
- NCCIH and WHO reference material on traditional medicine safety.
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