Stomach meridian

ST-6 (Jiáchē, 颊车) — Jaw Bone

Meridian
Stomach (ST)
Anatomical view
lateral
Point classification
Regional Stomach channel point of the masseter and jaw.
Depth reference
0.3-0.5 cun perpendicular or 0.5-1.0 cun transverse
Moxibustion
Not established in checked point-specific sources; avoid direct or scarring moxibustion on the face.
Reference aliases
ST6; Jiache; 颊车; Jaw Bone

Anatomical location

One middle-finger breadth anterosuperior to the angle of the mandible, at the masseter prominence when the teeth are clenched.

Traditional actions

Relaxes the jaw; expels facial wind; opens channel obstruction; eases tooth pain.

Recorded indications

Primary: Jaw pain or spasm; difficulty opening the mouth; lower toothache.

Secondary: Cheek swelling; facial weakness or deviation.

How to read this reference

AcuAtlas separates anatomical location, traditional classification, recorded actions, indications, insertion-depth references, and moxibustion notes because these fields answer different study questions. The location statement is the orientation anchor. The classification and actions describe traditional reference categories, while indications summarize how checked educational sources associate the point with established teaching material. They are not a recommendation to select or stimulate the point.

Depth and moxibustion entries are reproduced as bounded reference notes rather than procedural instructions. Individual anatomy, technique, angle, clinical setting, and local professional standards can change what is appropriate. Review the cited documents and supervised training material before using any technical field. The normalized map coordinate is included only to place the point on the matching AcuAtlas body plate; it is not a substitute for palpation or anatomical assessment.

Sources

References displayed on this page were recorded with the point dataset.

  1. WHO Standard Acupuncture Point Locations in the Western Pacific Region ST6, p. 48
  2. Acupuncture.Com Acupuncture Point Reference Stomach 6
  3. Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine, Clean Needle Technique Manual, 7th edition Direct moxibustion restrictions for facial points, pp. 25 and 240-241

Frequently asked questions

Where is ST-6 located?

One middle-finger breadth anterosuperior to the angle of the mandible, at the masseter prominence when the teeth are clenched.

What reference actions and indications are recorded for ST-6?

Relaxes the jaw; expels facial wind; opens channel obstruction; eases tooth pain. The dataset lists these primary indications: Jaw pain or spasm; difficulty opening the mouth; lower toothache. Secondary indications are recorded as: Cheek swelling; facial weakness or deviation.

Is ST-6 safe during pregnancy?

This dataset does not identify ST-6 as one of its five mandatory pregnancy-caution points. That is not a declaration of safety. Pregnancy-related point selection requires individualized assessment by a qualified clinician.