Cheek Painaccording to TCM

What is Cheek Pain?

Cheek pain, also known as pain in the cheek, refers to discomfort or pain experienced in the facial area, particularly the region between the nose and the ear, including the cheeks. This pain can be caused by various factors, including dental issues, sinus infections, neuralgia, or trauma. Symptoms can vary from a dull ache to sharp, shooting pains, and may be accompanied by swelling, redness, or tenderness. Understanding the underlying cause of cheek pain is essential for effective diagnosis and treatment.

How Does TCM View Cheek Pain?

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), cheek pain is seen through the concept of patterns of disharmony, focusing on the underlying imbalances in the body's Qi, Blood, and other vital substances. Cheek pain can arise from various patterns, with Internal Wind and Obstruction in the Channel being common causes.

Internal Wind can result from Liver Yang Rising or Blood Deficiency, leading to symptoms such as sudden, sharp pain and twitching in the cheeks. Obstruction in the Channel, caused by factors like Cold, Dampness, or trauma, can block the flow of Qi and Blood, resulting in persistent, aching pain. Identifying these patterns is crucial for effective treatment and restoring balance in the body.

Acupoints for Cheek Pain

In TCM, specific acupoints are utilized to treat cheek pain by addressing the underlying patterns of Internal Wind and Obstruction in the Channel. Dicang ST-4, located lateral to the corner of the mouth, is effective in expelling Wind and removing obstructions, providing relief from acute pain caused by Internal Wind. Juliao ST-3, situated below the lower border of ala nasi, also expels Wind and is beneficial for alleviating pain due to channel obstruction.

Xiaguan ST-7, found in the depression at the lower border of the zygomatic arch, helps remove obstructions from the channel and is particularly useful for TMJ disorders. In the Bladder Channel, Zanzhu BL-2, located at the medial extremity of the eyebrow, expels Wind and clears obstructions, addressing pain caused by conditions such as eye strain or sinusitis. These acupoints help alleviate cheek pain by restoring the smooth flow of Qi and Blood and addressing the root imbalances.

Explore below some acupoints used to address cheek pain, organized by meridian.

Juliao ST-3

Directly below Sibai ST-2, at the level of the lower border of ala nasi.

Dicang ST-4

Lateral to the corner of the mouth, directly below Juliao ST-3.

Xiaguan ST-7

In the depression at the lower border of the zygomatic arch, anterior to the condyloid process of the mandible. Xiaguan ST-7 is located when the mouth is closed.

Tianchuang SI-16

In the lateral aspect of the neck, on the posterior border of sternocleidomastoid muscle, lever with the Adam's apple.

Zanzhu BL-2

On the medial extremity of the eyebrow, or on the supraorbital notch.