Adjunct Placement for Acupuncture Points and Trigger Points for TMJ / Jaw Pain

by | Aug 12, 2026 | Adjunct Placement, Magnetic Therapy

Adjunct Placement for Acupuncture Points and Trigger Points for TMJ / Jaw Pain

The Primary Placement shown in the TMJ / Jaw Pain Treatment Protocol is the recommended starting point. The placements below are optional Adjunct Placements that may be considered when symptoms correspond with particular areas of tenderness, muscular involvement or movement restriction, or when the Primary Placement alone is not providing the desired response. Adjunct Placements may be used alongside the Primary Placement, at different times, or when exploring other placement options. In some situations, an appropriately selected distal acupuncture point may be useful on its own.Under the Field | Dose | Placement (FDP) principle, select from the recommended  points according to where symptoms are felt, tenderness, movement restriction and individual response rather than routinely applying every point listed.

Recommended Additional Placements

Acupuncture Points

  1. ST6 – Medium Quadrapolar or Hexapolar – M
    ST6 is a local jaw point in the masseter region. It may be considered where tenderness or discomfort is prominent around the muscular part of the jaw.
  2. ST7 – Medium Quadrapolar or Hexapolar – M
    ST7 is a local point close to the temporomandibular joint, in front of the ear. It provides another local option where symptoms correspond with the TMJ region.
  3. LI4 (Hegu) – Small Quadrapolar – S
    LI4 is a distal acupuncture point on the hand. It provides an additional placement option away from the jaw when a distal point is being explored.
  4. SI19 (Tinggong) – Medium Quadrapolar or Hexapolar – M
    SI19 is located immediately in front of the ear near the TMJ region. It may be considered where discomfort or tenderness is concentrated around the joint.

Myofascial Trigger Points

  1. Masseter Trigger Point – Large Quadrapolar or Hexapolar – L
    The masseter is the prominent chewing muscle over the side of the jaw. Consider this placement where the muscle itself is tender or where jaw movement reproduces discomfort.
  2. Temporalis Trigger Point – Medium Quadrapolar or Hexapolar – M
    The temporalis lies over the side of the head above the ear. This placement may be relevant when tenderness or muscular discomfort extends into the temporal region.
  3. Lateral Pterygoid Trigger Point – Large Quadrapolar or Hexapolar – L
    The lateral pterygoid is a deeper jaw muscle associated with movement of the temporomandibular joint. It may be considered where deeper muscular involvement or restricted jaw movement appears relevant.
  4. Sternocleidomastoid (SCM) Trigger Point – Large Quadrapolar or Hexapolar – L
    The SCM runs along the front and side of the neck from behind the ear towards the upper chest. Consider this region where jaw symptoms are accompanied by notable neck-muscle tenderness or restriction.
  5. Upper Trapezius Trigger Point – Large Quadrapolar or Hexapolar – L
    The upper trapezius spans the upper shoulder and lower neck. It may provide another Adjunct Placement where TMJ or jaw symptoms occur together with tenderness or restriction through the upper neck and shoulder region.

Practical Placement Guidance

Begin with the Primary Placement shown in the TMJ / Jaw Pain Treatment Protocol, which places Q Magnets over the TMJ region and, where indicated in that protocol, the occipital region.

When considering Adjunct Placements, gently palpate the relevant jaw, temple, neck and upper-shoulder regions and prioritise recommended points that correspond most closely with tenderness, discomfort or movement restriction. A local acupuncture point or trigger point may be useful when symptoms are concentrated around the jaw, while LI4 provides an recommended distal option.

When using more than one Q Magnet, maintain appropriate separation between devices to minimise magnetic-field interference. Magnet category should match the target tissue and required coverage rather than simply choosing the largest available magnet.

IMPORTANT NOTE

TMJ and jaw pain can have different underlying causes, and pain in this region may also overlap with dental, muscular, joint or neurological problems. Persistent, unexplained, worsening or severe symptoms should be professionally assessed.

This information is provided as educational guidance and does not replace diagnosis, medical assessment or treatment recommended by an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.