ST-9 - Man's Welcome

人迎 - Rén yíng

Point Region: Neck

ST

Stomach Meridian

足阳明胃经 - Zú Yángmíng Wèi Jīng

Location & How to Find

Anatomical Location: On the front of the neck, level with the top of the Adam's apple (the thyroid cartilage), just in front of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, over the common carotid artery. It is level with LI-18 and SI-16.

How to Locate:

  1. Find the level of the top of your Adam's apple
  2. Turn your head to the other side against your hand so the long neck muscle stands out
  3. The point is just in front of the muscle, over the pulse; press very lightly
ST-9 (Man's Welcome) acupressure point location: On the front of the neck, level with the top of the Adam's apple (the thyroid cartilage), just in front of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, over the common carotid artery.

How to Apply Pressure

ST-9 lies directly over the carotid artery: use at most a feather-light touch on one side only, never press both sides of the neck, and do not linger on the pulse. Skip it entirely if you have carotid artery disease, severe high blood pressure, or a heart-rhythm problem — those need medical care, not acupressure.

Traditional Indications

In TCM, this point is traditionally used for:

  • Throat pain
  • Chest tightness
  • Vomiting
  • Neck swelling
  • Sore throat
  • Nausea
  • Throat inflammation

Related Health Concerns

Nausea and VomitingCold and Flu Onset

Select a point to see its location, how to find it, and its traditional uses.

Important Precautions

Avoid this point with:

  • Carotid artery disease
  • Recent neck surgery
  • Severe hypertension
  • Cardiac arrhythmias

Take care:

  • Located directly over carotid artery
  • Avoid in elderly or those with vascular disease
  • Never apply bilateral pressure simultaneously