If you’ve ever clamped your jaw so hard from stress that you couldn’t chew without wincing, today’s acupoint will be a game-changer. Jia che (ST6), commonly translated as “Jaw Bone,” also has a lesser-known alias—Ghost Bed. Before you conjure images of haunted temples, know this: jia che belongs to a unique group of 13 “ghost points” recorded by the legendary Chinese physician Sun Simiao in the 7th century. While the name may sound dramatic, the effects of this point are very practical. Let’s take a look at how one small point on your face offers big support to both body and mind.
A Point Where Energy and Emotion Intersect
Jia che was first mentioned in the classic TCM text “Ling Shu (Spiritual Pivot),” specifically in the chapter on pathogenic influences. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), ghost points aren’t about supernatural hauntings; they’re about clearing emotional and energetic disturbances—what the ancients referred to as “internal phlegm” or “ghosts” clouding the mind. These points were used to treat conditions like nightmares, depression, mania, and even dissociative states.
Jia che’s location gives it additional power. The stomach meridian makes a turn upwards at this point, and it is thought to send vital energy upward to nourish the head.
However, don’t mistake jia che for a purely energetic tool. According to the principle of “treating where the meridian runs,” jia che is also your go-to therapeutic point for anything jaw-related. Its anatomical location makes it particularly suited to help with tightness, inflammation, and mobility issues in the jaw.
How Jia Che Supports the Body and Mind
On a practical, everyday level, jia che is effective in addressing common issues involving the lower face, such as jaw stiffness, lockjaw, pain and inflammation, and even facial paralysis. TCM practitioners also use it for trismus, a condition that limits the ability to open the mouth, often caused by nerve or muscle dysfunction.
Another important use? Supporting the recovery of speech when a person has lost their voice.
And because it’s a ghost point, it has broader mental and emotional applications as well. Whether you’re clenching your jaw from anxiety or struggling with mental cloudiness, jia che offers a physical gateway to address deeper imbalances.
The Science Behind the Relief
Modern research helps explain why jia che is so effective. One study employed specialized staining to examine the types of nerves present at this point in rats. Jia che was found to have a rich network of sensory, sympathetic, and parasympathetic nerve fibers. These nerve types interact with blood vessels, muscles, and glands—showing that jia che has direct access to systems involved in both pain perception and muscular control.
Another study evaluated jia che’s effectiveness in orthodontic pain management. Patients with braces received acupuncture at jia che and hegu (LI4) prior to their monthly adjustments. The results were clear: patients reported significantly lower pain levels with no side effects.
How to Locate and Stimulate Jia Che
To locate jia che, clench your teeth and feel the hard muscle that bulges near the angle of your jaw. Move your finger just one finger-width forward and slightly upward into the belly of that muscle. You’re looking for a slight depression—a tender or sore spot when pressed. That’s jia che. This spot is usually more reactive if there’s muscle tension or energetic stagnation in the area.
How to Stimulate Jie Che
To activate jia che:
- Press firmly for three to five seconds, relax for three seconds, and repeat for one to three minutes on each side.
- Massage in small circles using your thumb or index finger for one to three minutes.
- Apply an herbal patch overnight for prolonged stimulation.
- Use advanced methods such as acupuncture or moxibustion—always performed by a trained TCM professional.
Precautions
Skip this point if you’ve had recent dental work or injuries near the jaw. If using patches, make sure they don’t contain irritating ingredients—especially if you have sensitive skin.
A Great Starting Point for Stress Release
Whether you’re relieving orthodontic pain, helping an older family member regain speech, or just releasing the tension you hold in your jaw during stressful days, this acupoint is an accessible and helpful tool. Think of it as a reset button—one that clears stagnation, restores function, and even helps evict those metaphorical ghosts of mental overload.
TCM expert Shihhsiang Hung reviewed this article for accuracy and clarity.
Originally published in Epoch Times on 28 June 2025
