Dicang (ST4) Acupoint — Complete Guide to Precise Location and Acupressure Technique

What is Dicang (ST4)?

Dicang (ST4) is an acupoint belonging to the Stomach meridian and an important acupressure point used in traditional Korean medicine to treat facial nerve disorders. By stimulating the nerves around the mouth, it effectively relieves various symptoms including facial nerve paralysis, drooling, and facial pain. Because it is easily accessible in daily life, many people also use it for self-acupressure.

How to Find the Exact Location

Basic Location: It is located approximately 0.4 cun (about 1 cm) lateral to the outer corner of the mouth.

How to Find It:

1. Face forward and sit in a comfortable position.
2. Bring your finger to the mouth area and locate the corner of the mouth.
3. It is approximately 1 cm (0.4 cun) outward from the corner of the mouth.
4. When you press on the slightly indented area on the skin surface, you will feel some resistance and soreness.

Anatomical Location: It is located above the levator anguli oris muscle, at the point where the superior labial vein passes, with rich nerve distribution.

Acupressure Method

Step 1: Preparation
Sit or lie down in a comfortable position and relax your facial muscles. Clean your hands and make sure they are warm before starting.

Step 2: Locating the Acupoint
Using the method above, locate the ST4 acupoint precisely and place the tip of your thumb or index finger on it.

Step 3: Applying Pressure
Apply pressure slowly and perpendicularly to the acupoint. Press with moderate force that is firm enough to touch the bone without being too strong, and press slowly over 3-5 seconds rather than quickly.

Step 4: Circular Massage
While maintaining pressure, perform circular massage in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions, about 10 times each.

Step 5: Release
Gradually reduce the pressure and remove your finger. If you remove it too quickly, the stimulation will diminish.

Acupressure Tip: Apply the same method to both sides of the face, and pay attention to any signals of pain or resistance.

Main Benefits

• Relief from Facial Pain: Effectively relieves facial neuralgia, tooth pain, and temporomandibular joint pain.
• Improvement of Drooling: Stimulates the muscles around the mouth to restore the ability to control saliva secretion.
• Facial Paralysis Treatment: Promotes recovery of nerve function in the initial treatment and recovery stages of facial nerve paralysis (Bell’s palsy).
• Facial Muscle Relaxation: Releases tight facial muscles and alleviates fatigue.
• Improved Blood Circulation: Enhances blood circulation in the facial area and promotes nutrient supply.
• Nerve Rehabilitation: Helps restore diminished sensation caused by nerve damage.

When is Acupressure Most Beneficial?

Optimal Time: It is most effective in the morning after waking up when your face feels stiff, or in the evening before bed when you want to relieve fatigue.

Recommended Frequency: It is recommended to perform acupressure 2-3 times per day for about 3-5 minutes each time. You can do it more frequently if you have acute symptoms.

Appropriate Situations:

• When facial nerve paralysis symptoms appear
• When you experience drooling symptoms
• When your face feels stiff and painful
• When your face is swollen or has edema
• When you have teeth grinding caused by stress
• For preventive regular maintenance

Precautions

Situations to Avoid:

• Avoid areas with wounds or damaged skin.
• For severe facial paralysis, you must consult a traditional Korean medicine doctor or healthcare professional. Early treatment within 2-3 months of onset is very important.
• Avoid acupressure if you have an infection or inflammation.
• Avoid excessive stimulation and control excessive pressure that causes pain.
• If you are pregnant, consult with a healthcare professional before performing acupressure.

Duration of Effects: Although individual results vary, you may start to notice benefits within 1-2 weeks of regular acupressure. Chronic symptoms may require longer-term management.

Professional Consultation: If symptoms do not improve after 3 weeks or if symptoms worsen, you must consult with a traditional Korean medicine doctor or healthcare professional.