SI-18 - Cheek Bone Hole

颧髎 - Quán liáo

Point Region: Face

SI

Small Intestine Meridian

手太阳小肠经 - Shǒu Tàiyáng Xiǎochángjīng

SI-18 Quanliao, meaning 'Cheekbone Crevice,' is a meeting point of the SI and TE channels. Located on the face, it is a key point for addressing a wide range of issues that are caused by 'stagnation' or excess heat in the face. Its name, 'Cheekbone Crevice,' alludes to its ability to bring a sense of order and harmony to the body's entire system.

Think of Quanliao as a point that helps to 'clear the crevice' of your body. It's invaluable for addressing issues like a restless spirit, a feeling of 'heat' in the body, and a lack of vitality. By regulating the body's internal energy, it helps to restore a sense of ease and freedom.

By regulating the body's internal energy, SI-18 helps to restore a sense of balance and inner peace. It's a point that reminds us that our true power comes from a calm and unburdened body.

Location & How to Find

Anatomical Location: Located on the face, lateral to the nose and below the eye.

How to Locate:

  1. Find your cheekbone just below the outer corner of your eye
  2. Feel for the small hollow in the cheekbone
  3. This is on the prominent part of your cheek
  4. The point is in this depression in the cheekbone
Location illustration for Located on the face, lateral to the nose and below the eye.

Primary Functions

Nervous System

  • Relieves facial pain and neuralgia
  • Treats trigeminal neuralgia
  • Reduces facial paralysis symptoms
  • Alleviates cheek pain
  • Calms facial nerve inflammation

Eye & Vision System

  • Relieves eye strain and fatigue
  • Treats eye twitching
  • Reduces facial swelling around eyes
  • Improves facial circulation

Musculoskeletal System

  • Relieves jaw tension and TMJ pain
  • Reduces facial muscle tension
  • Improves facial muscle tone
  • Treats lockjaw

Respiratory System

  • Relieves nasal congestion
  • Treats sinusitis
  • Improves breathing through nose
  • Reduces facial sinus pressure

Clinical Applications

Primary Indications

  • Facial paralysis
  • Facial twitching
  • Sinus congestion
  • Toothache
  • Facial numbness
  • Sinusitis
  • Dental pain
  • Facial nerve problems

Related Health Concerns

Common Conditions:

Dental Pain

Select a point to learn about its location, primary functions, clinical applications, and protocols.

SI-18 Protocols

N/A

Important Precautions

  • Recent facial surgery
  • Severe facial infections
  • Acute trigeminal neuralgia