The great meeting point of the jaw. Daying (ST-5) is where the Stomach Meridian's Qi gathers at the lower face — a local specialist for pain, swelling and stiffness of the jaw and cheek, and a key ally in facial nerve conditions.
Name & story
The name 大迎 Daying means "Great Welcome" or "Great Reception". In the old landscape of the face, this point sits right where the jaw opens to receive — food, words, breath. The character 迎 (ying) carries the sense of going out to greet something arriving: and here, at the corner of the lower jaw, the Stomach Meridian arrives at the face and is warmly received. It is a meeting place, a threshold — where the channel's nourishing Qi reaches the jaw and cheek.
Point family & character
Daying (ST-5) belongs to the Stomach Meridian (ST). It is a local facial point on the lower jaw, lying close to ST-6 (Jiache) above and ST-4 below, forming a powerful trio for facial and jaw conditions along the course of the channel.
Location
Find the angle of the lower jaw (the corner where the jaw curves). ST-5 sits just in front of that angle, in a small depression on the jawbone that becomes more pronounced when the mouth is clenched — you can feel the pulsation of the facial artery here. It lies between ST-4 (below) and ST-6 (above and behind).
Anatomy & fascia
The point lies over the lower jaw (mandible), in the area of the masseter and buccinator muscles, where the facial artery and vein pass close by.
Needling
The needle is inserted perpendicularly, or directed obliquely toward neighbouring facial points such as ST-6 (Jiache). The area is sensitive; gentle technique is recommended.
Safe depth
0.3–0.5 Cun.
Moxa, cupping & Tui Na
Gentle massage or acupressure at this point can help ease jaw tension and toothache. Warm compresses may be used to soften stiffness in the jaw area. The point is often combined with neighbouring facial points ST-6 and ST-7 in Tui Na work for jaw and facial pain.
Functions
Expels Wind and clears Heat from the face and jaw. Reduces swelling and relieves pain in the lower jaw and cheek. Opens the jaw and benefits the teeth. Activates the channel and alleviates facial nerve conditions.
Indications
Toothache (especially of the lower teeth), jaw pain and stiffness, trismus (locked jaw), swelling of the cheeks and face, facial nerve palsy, deviation of the mouth, pain or numbness along the lower jaw, mumps and swelling of the jaw area.
Point combinations
With ST-6 (Jiache) and ST-7 (Xiaguan) — for jaw pain, TMJ disorders and trismus, forming the classic local trio for jaw conditions. With LI-4 (Hegu) — to reinforce the analgesic and Wind-expelling effect for toothache and facial pain. With ST-6 and LI-4 — for facial nerve palsy with deviation of the mouth.
Clinical spotlight
ST-5 is a highly localised point with a clear specialty: the lower jaw and cheek. It shines most in acute jaw pain, toothache of the lower jaw, and facial nerve palsy causing deviation of the mouth or difficulty opening the jaw. Clinically it is rarely used alone — its real power comes when combined with its close neighbours ST-6 and ST-7 to form a complete local treatment for the jaw. The presence of the facial artery at this site is a reminder to palpate before needling.
The golden tip
To ease jaw tension or lower toothache, find the small depression just in front of the angle of your lower jaw — you may feel a faint pulse there (the facial artery). Using your fingertip, press gently and hold for 30–60 seconds, or make small circular movements. Do this on the affected side. Combine with gentle pressure on ST-6 (the masseter muscle, one finger in front of the jaw's corner) for fuller relief.
For education only — not medical advice. Consult a qualified practitioner.