Acupuncture Points for Temporomandibular Joint Pain

11 sourced protocols, each with its citation.

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Related symptoms

Often treated alongside Temporomandibular Joint Pain:

Points cited for Temporomandibular Joint Pain

How often each point appears across the 11 entries ranked highest for Temporomandibular Joint Pain. Citation frequency, not a recommendation.

  • ST07Below The ArchStomach Meridian10 of 11
  • LI04Junction ValleyLarge Intestine Meridian9 of 11
  • ST06Jaw BoneStomach Meridian9 of 11
  • GB20Wind PoolGallbladder Meridian6 of 11
  • SI19Palace Of HearingSmall Intestine Meridian5 of 11
  • BL10Celestial PillarBladder Meridian3 of 11
  • GB34Yang Mound SpringGallbladder Meridian3 of 11
  • GV20100 ConvergencesGoverning Vessel3 of 11
  • SI18Cheek Bone HoleSmall Intestine Meridian3 of 11
  • ST36Leg Three MilesStomach Meridian3 of 11
  • LU10Fish BorderLung Meridian2 of 11
  • LV03Great SurgeLiver Meridian2 of 11

Each card names its evidence kind. What these labels mean

Protocol (8 points)

100%

LI04 · ST06 · ST36 · TB05 · TB17 · TB21 · GB02 · GB34

Point 1 of 8

LI04Junction Valley

LI04 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Large Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 合谷 (hé gǔ)

🎯 Location: On the dorsum of the hand between 1st & 2nd metacarpal bones approximately in the middle of the 2nd metacarpal bone on the radial side.

⚠️ Cautions: Traditionally forbidden in pregnancy – these are the points used to bring on labour at term. Controlled data show no excess of preterm birth or stillbirth (Carr 2015), but in pregnancy needle only on a clear obstetric indication.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Tinnitus, Release Exterior, Absent Periods, Wind

Study-reported

Needling

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.4317/medoral.17567 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI04, ST06, ST36 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1155/2021/1286570 ↗

Protocol (7 points)

100%

ST04 · ST06 · ST07 · SI19 · TB20 · GB03 · GB20

Point 1 of 7

ST04Earth Granary

ST04 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Stomach Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 地倉 (dì cāng)

🎯 Location: Lateral to the corner of the mouth directly below pupil.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution with facial nerve.

🛡️ Treats: Pain, Facial Droop, Channel Stagnation, Voice Loss, Toothache

Study-reported

Needling + Electroacupuncture · 23 sessions over 23 days

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000018013 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. ST06, ST07, SI19, GB20 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1016/j.imr.2024.101044 ↗

Protocol (8 points)

100%

LI04 · ST06 · ST07 · ST36 · SP06 · BL10 · GB20 · LV03

Point 1 of 8

LI04Junction Valley

LI04 acupoint
Click to enlarge

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🗺️ Meridian: Large Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 合谷 (hé gǔ)

🎯 Location: On the dorsum of the hand between 1st & 2nd metacarpal bones approximately in the middle of the 2nd metacarpal bone on the radial side.

⚠️ Cautions: Traditionally forbidden in pregnancy – these are the points used to bring on labour at term. Controlled data show no excess of preterm birth or stillbirth (Carr 2015), but in pregnancy needle only on a clear obstetric indication.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Tinnitus, Release Exterior, Absent Periods, Wind

Study-reported

Needling · 8 sessions

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1155/2021/1286570 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI04, ST06, ST07, BL10, GB20 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1016/j.jams.2017.08.005 ↗

Protocol (5 points)

100%

LU10 · LI04 · ST07 · SI18 · GV20

Point 1 of 5

LU10Fish Border

LU10 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Lung Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 魚際 (yú jì)

🎯 Location: On the radial aspect of the midpoint of the 1st metacarpal bone on the junction of the red and white skin of the hand.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Fever, Anxiety, Tongue Coating Yellow, Heat Deficiency

Study-reported

Needling + Electroacupuncture · 40 sessions over 30 weeks

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.3389/fneur.2022.931412 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI04, ST07, SI18, GV20 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1016/j.jams.2017.08.005 ↗

Protocol (7 points)

100%

LI04 · ST06 · ST07 · SI18 · BL10 · GB20 · GV20

Point 1 of 7

LI04Junction Valley

LI04 acupoint
Click to enlarge

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🗺️ Meridian: Large Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 合谷 (hé gǔ)

🎯 Location: On the dorsum of the hand between 1st & 2nd metacarpal bones approximately in the middle of the 2nd metacarpal bone on the radial side.

⚠️ Cautions: Traditionally forbidden in pregnancy – these are the points used to bring on labour at term. Controlled data show no excess of preterm birth or stillbirth (Carr 2015), but in pregnancy needle only on a clear obstetric indication.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Tinnitus, Release Exterior, Absent Periods, Wind

Study-reported

Needling · 4 sessions over 4 weeks

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1016/j.jams.2017.08.005 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI04, ST06, ST07, BL10, GB20 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1155/2021/1286570 ↗

Protocol (5 points)

100%

LI04 · ST06 · ST07 · SI19 · GB34

Point 1 of 5

LI04Junction Valley

LI04 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Large Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 合谷 (hé gǔ)

🎯 Location: On the dorsum of the hand between 1st & 2nd metacarpal bones approximately in the middle of the 2nd metacarpal bone on the radial side.

⚠️ Cautions: Traditionally forbidden in pregnancy – these are the points used to bring on labour at term. Controlled data show no excess of preterm birth or stillbirth (Carr 2015), but in pregnancy needle only on a clear obstetric indication.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Tinnitus, Release Exterior, Absent Periods, Wind

Study-reported

Needling · 12 sessions over 4 weeks

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1093/qjmed/hcae094 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI04, ST06, ST07, SI19, GB34 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20241204-k0004 ↗
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How the studies delivered it

What the 9 studies behind the entries above ran, counted once per study. A record of the trials, not a recommendation.

  • Needling7 of 9
  • Electroacupuncture2 of 9
  • Point injection1 of 9
  • Laser1 of 9

Sessions: the 6 studies that gave a count ran a median of 11 (middle half 9 to 20).

Course: the 6 studies that gave a length ran a median of 4 weeks (middle half 4 weeks to 33 days).

After a treatment: what large safety surveys recorded, and which reactions need a doctor.

Disclaimer: The acupoint information provided is for educational purposes only.