Jiache Point (ST-6 / Jaw Chariot, also known as Quya, Jiguan, Guichuang, Yache)
Opens the lock and unblocks the collaterals, reduces swelling and relieves pain. Based on its properties, it is clinically used for facial disorders and toothache.
Indications
Facial deviation, mumps, trismus (locked jaw), and facial paralysis. (1) Facial disorders: Facial deviation, cheek swelling, trismus, mumps, facial spasm, trigeminal neuralgia, temporomandibular joint disorder. (2) Toothache and difficulty moving the jaw.
Precise Location
Located on the Stomach Meridian, approximately one finger-width anterior and superior to the angle of the mandible, in a depression (about 1 cun below the ear). When clenching the teeth, it is where the masseter muscle bulges.
Location Method
Sit upright or lie supine, lightly clench the teeth, slightly bend the thumb and little finger while extending the three middle fingers and placing them on the cheek. The point is where the middle finger pad rests on the masseter bulge.
Massage Method
① Massage: Press and knead Jiache with the thumb or middle finger. ② Scraping therapy: Gently massage with the corner of a scraping board. Bend the index finger over the middle finger, place the middle finger pad on the masseter bulge and knead – both sides simultaneously or one side at a time – for 1–3 minutes per session. Therapeutic actions: Dispels wind and clears heat, opens the lock and unblocks the collaterals.
Compatibility
Facial deviation: Combine with Yangbai (GB-14), Dicang (ST-4), Sibai (ST-2), Jiache (ST-6), and Hegu (LI-4). Disease overview: Complete paralysis of facial muscles results in loss of forehead wrinkles, widened palpebral fissure, flattened nasolabial fold, drooping mouth corner, and deviation toward the healthy side when smiling. The affected side cannot frown, close the eye, puff out the cheeks, or pucker the lips. Massage sequence: First press Yangbai for 5 seconds, then massage Dicang for 5 seconds, massage Sibai for 1 minute, and finally press Jiache and Hegu for 5 seconds each. Toothache: Combine with Dicang (ST-4) and Hegu (LI-4). Trigeminal neuralgia: Combine with Dicang (ST-4), Xiaguan (ST-7), Jiache (ST-6), Neiguan (PC-6), Waiguan (TE-5), and Yintang (EX-HN3). Stomach fire toothache: Combine with Neiting (ST-44) and Hegu (LI-4). Kidney deficiency toothache: Combine with Taixi (KI-3). Facial paralysis: Combine with Yifeng (TE-17), Dicang (ST-4), Qianzheng (EX-HN16), Juliao (ST-3), and Hegu (LI-4). Mumps and cheek swelling: Combine with Yifeng (TE-17) and Hegu (LI-4). Temporomandibular joint disorder: Combine with Xiaguan (ST-7). Trismus (locked jaw): Combine with Renzhong (GV-26), Twelve Jing-Well points (EX-UE12), and Four Gates (Hegu + Taichong).
Efficacy & Actions
Jiache belongs to the Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian. It dispels wind and clears heat, opens the lock and unblocks the collaterals. It is a key point for treating facial deviation, facial spasm, facial pain, toothache, and trismus. The even reinforcing-reducing technique is commonly used. First documented in Lingshu · Xieqi Zangfu Bingxing. "Jia" refers to the cheek area; "Che" means chariot or vehicle. The subtle essence of grain from the Stomach Meridian is transported upward to the head through this point, like a vehicle carrying goods – hence the name Jiache (Jaw Chariot). It is also known as "Quya," "Jiguan," "Guichuang," and "Yache." If a condition causes mouth deviation and eye歪斜, making facial muscles appear uncoordinated or distorted, or if it occurs after a stroke, regular massage of Jiache combined with exercise therapy can produce special therapeutic effects. (1) Common Point for Facial Disorders: This point excels at dispelling facial wind pathogens and opening the orifices, and is commonly used for local facial conditions such as facial deviation, facial pain, facial spasm, trismus, and temporomandibular arthritis. It is particularly effective for facial deviation – the primary point for this condition. The Yulong Ge states: "Facial deviation is most distressing; Dicang is wonderfully combined with Jiache – reduce on the left if deviation is to the right, reduce on the right if deviation is to the left." The Qianjin Yifang records: "Jiache treats locked jaw and mutism with inability to speak." It is one of the most frequently used local points for facial paralysis. A classical case from the Yuan Dynasty physician Luo Tianyi: Minister Shi, aged 68, had wind-cold invade his left cheek – the right cheek became tense and the mouth deviated to the right. Moxibustion was applied to Dicang (7 cones) and Jiache (14 cones) on the left cheek, followed by warm hand application on the right cheek, combined with a modified Shengma decoction – he recovered after several doses (Weisheng Baojian). (2) Specific Point for Toothache: This point belongs to the Stomach Meridian, which enters the upper teeth. Located near the teeth, it is highly effective for toothache and is the most commonly used local point for dental pain, effective for both upper and lower toothache. The Great Compendium records: "It treats stroke with locked jaw, mutism, aphonia, jaw pain, cheek swelling, and inability to chew." The Lingguang Fu states: "Moxibustion on Jiache cures toothache." It is more commonly used for lower toothache, while Xiaguan is preferred for upper toothache.
Contraindications
This point is often needled using the penetrating method toward Dicang (ST-4). Needle angle should be carefully controlled to avoid piercing the oral mucosa.
