Back to search result Previous Next
Search in acupoints

ST-7 Below the Joint

下关 〔下關〕 xià guān

Channel: ST, foot yáng brightness (yáng míng) stomach channel

Modern location: An acupoint located anterior to the ear, straight above ST-6, in the hollow immediately below the inferior border of the zygomatic arch.

Classical location: Below Guest-Host (GB-3 alternate name), on the lower aspect of the pulsating vessel in front of the ear. A hollow felt when the mouth is closed disappears when the mouth is opened. The point is found in lateral recumbent posture with the mouth closed. From The Great Compendium of Acupuncture and Moxibustion (针灸大成 zhēn jiǔ dà chéng)

Local anatomy: Superficially, the transverse facial artery and vein; at the deepest level, the maxillary artery and vein. The zygomatic branch of the facial nerve and the branches of the auriculotemporal nerve.

Action: Courses wind and quickens the network vessels; opens the orifices and sharpens the hearing.

Modern indications: Deafness; tinnitus; purulent ear; toothache; clenched jaw; deviated eyes and mouth.

Classical indications: Clenched jaw; loss of voice; aversion to wind and cold.

Needle stimulus: Needling: 0.3‒0.5 cùn perpendicular insertion; 1.0‒1.5 cùn transverse insertion joining ST-6 (jiā chē). Moxa: 3 cones; pole 5‒10 min.

Point groups: Intersection point (jiāo huì xué) of the stomach and gallbladder channels.

Point name meaning:

ST-7 may derive its name from its location below the joint of the mandible. Also, it is located just below the zygomatic arch, an area that reminded the ancient Chinese of the door bolt (关 guān). Thus, the point name may be considered a reference to the point’s location below that arch. See also GB-3 (Above the Joint). See acupoint names: origins, meanings, and translations.

Back to search result Previous Next