Acupuncture Points for Tmj Pain

4 sourced protocols, each with its citation.

Each card names its evidence kind. What these labels mean

Protocol (8 points)

100%

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

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

ST06Jaw Bone

ST06 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Stomach Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 頰車 (jiá chē)

🎯 Location: One finger breadth (middle finger) anterior & superior to the lower angle of the mandible where masseter is prominent when teeth are clenched & depressive when it is pressed.

⚠️ Cautions: Needle shallowly and obliquely; avoid the facial artery and deep needling into the joint capsule.

🛡️ Treats: Wind, Pain, Deviation Eye, Facial Droop, Mumps

ST07Below The Arch

ST07 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Stomach Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 下關 (xià guān)

🎯 Location: On the face anterior to the ear in the depression the between zygomatic arch and mandibular notch; point is located with mouth closed.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution with temporal artery.

🛡️ Treats: Tinnitus, Swelling, Pain, Deafness, Deviation Eye

ST36Leg Three Miles

ST36 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Stomach Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 足三里 (zú sān lǐ)

🎯 Location: 3 thumb widths below ST35, 1 finger breadth (middle finger) from anterior border of the tibia.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution in cases of severe varicose veins.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Fever, Poor Appetite, Diarrhea, Shortness of Breath

SP06Three Yin Intersection

SP06 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Spleen Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 三陰交 (sān yīn jiāo)

🎯 Location: 3 thumb widths directly above the tip of the medial malleolus posterior to the medial border of the tibia.

⚠️ 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: Diarrhea, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Palpitations, Abdominal Bloating

BL10Celestial Pillar

BL10 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 天柱 (tiān zhù)

🎯 Location: 1.3 thumb widths lateral to the midpoint of the posterior hairline and in the depression on the lateral aspect of the trapezius.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution with vertebral artery.

🛡️ Treats: Dizziness, Wind, Pain, Epilepsy, Nasal Congestion

GB20Wind Pool

GB20 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Gallbladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 風池 (fēng chí)

🎯 Location: In the depression the between upper portion of the scm and trapezius on the same level with GV16.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution with vertebral artery; avoid deep perpendicular needling.

🛡️ Treats: Stress, Fever, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Wind

LV03Great Surge

LV03 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Liver Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 太衝 (tài chōng)

🎯 Location: On the dorsum of the foot in the depression the distal to the junction of the 1st and 2nd metatarsal bones.

⚠️ Cautions: Monitor blood pressure and avoid strong stimulation where hypertension is uncontrolled or unstable; hypertensive crisis is a medical emergency.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Diarrhea, Anxiety, Shortness of Breath, Sweating

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 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1007/s10103-019-02837-x ↗
Press Needles
64 needles for this course · 1 box, $19.99

Protocol (3 points)

100%

LI04 · ST06 · ST07

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

ST06Jaw Bone

ST06 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Stomach Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 頰車 (jiá chē)

🎯 Location: One finger breadth (middle finger) anterior & superior to the lower angle of the mandible where masseter is prominent when teeth are clenched & depressive when it is pressed.

⚠️ Cautions: Needle shallowly and obliquely; avoid the facial artery and deep needling into the joint capsule.

🛡️ Treats: Wind, Pain, Deviation Eye, Facial Droop, Mumps

ST07Below The Arch

ST07 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Stomach Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 下關 (xià guān)

🎯 Location: On the face anterior to the ear in the depression the between zygomatic arch and mandibular notch; point is located with mouth closed.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution with temporal artery.

🛡️ Treats: Tinnitus, Swelling, Pain, Deafness, Deviation Eye

Study-reported

Laser · 10 sessions over 5 weeks

Did better than sham needling

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1007/s10103-019-02837-x ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI04, ST06, ST07 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 (6 points)

100%

LU10 · LI04 · ST07 · SI18 · GV20 · XH03

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

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

ST07Below The Arch

ST07 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Stomach Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 下關 (xià guān)

🎯 Location: On the face anterior to the ear in the depression the between zygomatic arch and mandibular notch; point is located with mouth closed.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution with temporal artery.

🛡️ Treats: Tinnitus, Swelling, Pain, Deafness, Deviation Eye

SI18Cheek Bone Hole

SI18 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Small Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 顴髎 (quán liáo)

🎯 Location: Directly below outer canthus in the depression on the lower border of the zygoma.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution with facial nerve.

🛡️ Treats: Chest Pain, Heat, Wind, Swelling, Leg Pain

GV20100 Convergences

GV20 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Governing Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 百會 (bǎi huì)

🎯 Location: On the midline of the head 5 thumb widths directly above the midpoint of the anterior hairline approximately on the midpoint of the line connecting apex of the ears.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Chest Pain, Palpitations, Jaundice, Qi Deficiency

XH03Hall Of Impression Or Seal Hall

XH03 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Extra Points: Head

🇨🇳 Chinese: 印堂 (yìn táng)

🎯 Location: At the glabella, at the midpoint between the medial extremities of the eyebrows.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Anxiety, Dizziness, Wind, Facial Pain, Insomnia

Study-reported

Needling + Electroacupuncture · 40 sessions over 30 weeks

Improved from baseline; no control group

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.3389/fneur.2022.931412 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI04, ST07 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 ↗
Press Needles
240 needles for this course · 3 boxes, $59.97

Protocol (9 points)

100%

ST05 · ST06 · ST07 · TB16 · TB17 · TB20 · GB03 · GB07 · GB08

ST05Great Reception

ST05 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Stomach Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 大迎 (dà yíng)

🎯 Location: Anterior to the angle of the mandible on the anterior border of the attached portion of the masseter where pulsation of the facial artery is palpable in the groovelike depression the appearing when cheek is bulged.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution with facial nerve and artery.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Wind, Swelling, Chills, Aversion Cold

ST06Jaw Bone

ST06 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Stomach Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 頰車 (jiá chē)

🎯 Location: One finger breadth (middle finger) anterior & superior to the lower angle of the mandible where masseter is prominent when teeth are clenched & depressive when it is pressed.

⚠️ Cautions: Needle shallowly and obliquely; avoid the facial artery and deep needling into the joint capsule.

🛡️ Treats: Wind, Pain, Deviation Eye, Facial Droop, Mumps

ST07Below The Arch

ST07 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Stomach Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 下關 (xià guān)

🎯 Location: On the face anterior to the ear in the depression the between zygomatic arch and mandibular notch; point is located with mouth closed.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution with temporal artery.

🛡️ Treats: Tinnitus, Swelling, Pain, Deafness, Deviation Eye

TB16Window Of Heaven

TB16 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Triple Burner Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 天牖 (tiān yǒu)

🎯 Location: On the lateral side of the neck directly below posterior border of the mastoid process on the level of the mandibular angle and on the posterior border of the scm.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Dizziness, Wind, Deafness, Malaria, Breast Swelling

TB17Hurricane

TB17 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Triple Burner Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 翳風 (yì fēng)

🎯 Location: Posterior to the lobule of the ear in the depression the between mandible and mastoid process.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution near facial nerve.

🛡️ Treats: Heat, Wind, Pain, Deviation Eye, Facial Droop

TB20Angle Vertex

TB20 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Triple Burner Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 角孫 (jiǎo sūn)

🎯 Location: Directly above the ear apex within the hair line.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Tinnitus, Heat, Swelling, Deafness, Toothache

GB03Above The Arch

GB03 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Gallbladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 上關 (shàng guān)

🎯 Location: In the front of the ear on the upper border of the zygomatic arch in the depression the directly above the ST07.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution with temporal artery.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Tinnitus, Wind, Pain, Chills

GB07Temporal Hairline Curve

GB07 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Gallbladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 曲鬢 (qū bìn)

🎯 Location: On the head at the crossing point of the vertical posterior border of the temple and horizontal line through ear apex.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications for head points.

🛡️ Treats: Vomiting, Wind, Deviation Eye, Facial Droop, Voice Loss

GB08Leading Valley

GB08 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Gallbladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 率谷 (shuài gǔ)

🎯 Location: Superior to the apex of the auricle 1.5 thumb widths within the hairline.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications for head points.

🛡️ Treats: Phlegm, Dizziness, Vomiting, Wind, Pain

Study-reported

Thread embedding · 4 sessions over 4 weeks

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.2147/JPR.S383965 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. ST06, ST07 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 ↗
AcuiQ Self-Treatment Guide
Acupressure you can do at home, every protocol traced to a trial. – $12.99, free updates for life

Points cited for Tmj Pain

How often each point appears across the 4 entries ranked highest for Tmj Pain. Citation frequency, not a recommendation.

  • ST07Below The ArchStomach Meridian4 of 4
  • LI04Junction ValleyLarge Intestine Meridian3 of 4
  • ST06Jaw BoneStomach Meridian3 of 4
  • BL10Celestial PillarBladder Meridian1 of 4
  • GB03Above The ArchGallbladder Meridian1 of 4
  • GB07Temporal Hairline CurveGallbladder Meridian1 of 4
  • GB08Leading ValleyGallbladder Meridian1 of 4
  • GB20Wind PoolGallbladder Meridian1 of 4
  • GV20100 ConvergencesGoverning Vessel1 of 4
  • LU10Fish BorderLung Meridian1 of 4
  • LV03Great SurgeLiver Meridian1 of 4
  • SI18Cheek Bone HoleSmall Intestine Meridian1 of 4

How the studies delivered it

What the 4 studies behind the entries above ran, counted once per study. A record of the trials, not a recommendation.

  • Needling2 of 4
  • Laser1 of 4
  • Electroacupuncture1 of 4
  • Thread embedding1 of 4

Sessions: the 4 studies that gave a count ran a median of 9 (middle half 7 to 18).

Course: the 3 studies that gave a length ran a median of 5 weeks (middle half 32 days to 123 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.