Location
Directly below pupil at the level of the lower border of the ala nasi on the lateral side of the nasolabial groove.
Cautions
Avoid deep needling on face.
Indications
Conditions for which ST03 is listed as indicated. An indication list is a reference index, not a prescription – see the protocols below for sourced treatments.
Aversion Cold EyesAversion Cold EyesAversion Cold FaceAversion Cold FaceAversion Wind EyesAversion Wind EyesAversion Wind FaceAversion Wind FaceFacial DroopFacial DroopEyesight / Vision Superficial ObstructionSuperficial Obstruction VisionLachrymation ExcessiveLachrymation ExcessiveNosebleedPainCheek PainCheek PainLips PainLips PainToothacheToothacheQi LegQi LegMuscle SpasmsMuscle Spasms SwellingCheek External SwellingCheek External SwellingSwollen KneeSwollen KneeNose External SwellingNose External SwellingWind
Protocols using ST03
- Neuralgia Trigeminal, Facial Trigeminal Pain – LI04, LI20, ST02, ST03, ST07, ST36, ST44, ST45, SI18, TB05, TB17, TB21, GB02, LV03, GV26 (doi:10.1590/S1807-59322009001200014 ↗)
- Paralysis Facial, Synkinesis, Sequelae Facial Nerve Palsy – ST02, ST03, ST04, ST06, ST07, SI19, GB02, GB21, LV03, CV17 (doi:10.1016/j.jams.2015.01.006 ↗)
- Anxiety, Palpitations, Insomnia, Anger, Chest Discomfort, Paralysis Facial, Irritability – ST01, ST02, ST03, ST04, GB14, GB20, GB21, CV06, CV12, CV17 (doi:10.3831/KPI.2017.20.018 ↗)
- Paralysis Facial, Paralysis Facial Traumatic, Eyelid Incomplete Closure, Taste Abnormal – LI04, LI20, ST03, ST04, ST06, ST07, SI18, BL02, TB17, TB23, GB12, GB20 (doi:10.3390/healthcare11182546 ↗)
- Anxiety, Depression, Rosacea, Inflammation Skin, Erythema Facial, Edema Facial, Long Covid – LI04, LI06, LI11, LI20, ST02, ST03, ST04, ST36, ST40, SP09, SI18, LV03 (doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000043407 ↗)
- Dental Pain, Orthodontic Pain – ST03, ST06 (doi:10.1016/j.jtumed.2026.01.003 ↗)
- Paralysis Facial, Cheek Weakness, Peripheral Facial Palsy – ST01, ST03, ST04, BL01, BL59, BL62, GB20 (doi:10.27820/d.cnki.gszxy.2023.000108 ↗)
- Skin Aging, Wrinkles, Skin Laxity – LI20, ST02, ST03, ST05, ST07, SI18, BL02, TB23, GB14, CV24, XH03, XH05 (doi:10.1111/jocd.70839 ↗)
- Facial Paralysis, Synkinesis Facial – ST01, ST02, ST03, ST04, ST06, GB14, CV24, GV24, GV26, XH03, XH04 (doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000049719 ↗)
- Myopia, Reduced Visual Acuity, Eye Strain – LU01, LU02, LI20, ST01, ST02, ST03, ST36, ST40, SP03, SP06, SP09, SP10, SI18, BL02, BL13, BL15, BL18, BL19, BL20, BL21, BL23, BL40, BL57, KD01, KD03, PC06, PC08, TB05, TB17, TB23, GB01, GB14, GB20, GB34, LV03, GV04, GV14, GV16, XH03, XH04, XH05 (doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000046414 ↗)
- Hoarseness, Dysphagia, Tongue Weakness, Facial Palsy, Injury Cranial Nerve – LI04, LI20, ST02, ST03, ST04, ST06, ST07, ST25, ST36, SP06, SI18, BL01, BL02, TB23, GB14, CV04, CV06, CV23, XH03, XH05, XH12, XH13 (doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20250218-k0004 ↗)
- Wind Liver, Wind Liver – LU11, ST01, ST03, ST04, ST05, ST06, ST07, ST08, ST42, ST45, SI03, SI08, BL01, BL02, BL03, BL04, BL05, BL06, BL09, BL10, BL41, XU25 (Yang Yong-Xuan, clinical point-selection notes)
- Trigeminal Neuralgia – LI03, LI04, ST02, ST03, ST06, ST07, ST44, SI18, BL02, GB14, CV24 (LU Liang. A Survey on Acupuncture Treatment of Trigeminal Neuralgia. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2010, 30(1): 68)
- Trigeminal Neuralgia – LI04, LI20, ST02, ST03, ST04, ST06, ST07, ST36, SP06, SI18, GB14, GB15, GB34, CV24 (LIN Wen-jian. A Survey on Acupuncture Treatment of Trigeminal Neuralgia. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2010, 30(1): 68)
- Anxiety, Headache, Constipation, Insomnia, Nausea, Nervousness, Hiccup, Abdominal Pain, Stomach Bloating, Stomach Pain, Anorexia, Eructation – ST03, ST40, SP01, SP03, SP09, HT07, BL20, BL21, KD03, PC06, GB34, LV03, LV13, CV05, CV06, CV12 (Zhao Yaping, Ding Min, Wang Yanjun. Forty Cases of Gastrointestinal Neurosis Treated by Acupuncture. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2009, 29(3): 207-209)
- Deviation Eye, Facial Droop, Attack Wind, Cold Meridian, Lips Stiffness, Deviation Eye, Facial Droop, Attack Wind, Cold Meridian, Lips Stiffness – LI04, ST03, ST04, ST06, ST07, SI18, TB17, GB14, XH05 (sacredlotus.com ↗)