Acupuncture Points for Abdominal Bloating

38 sourced protocols, each with its citation.

AcuiQ posts on X about the papers it indexes. Follow @acu_iq

Points cited for Abdominal Bloating

How often each point appears across the 38 entries ranked highest for Abdominal Bloating. Citation frequency, not a recommendation.

  • ST36Leg Three MilesStomach Meridian32 of 38
  • CV12Stomach CentreConception Vessel17 of 38
  • SP06Three Yin IntersectionSpleen Meridian16 of 38
  • LI04Junction ValleyLarge Intestine Meridian15 of 38
  • ST37Upper Great HollowStomach Meridian13 of 38
  • PC06Inner GatePericardium Meridian12 of 38
  • ST25Celestial PivotStomach Meridian12 of 38
  • CV04Original Qi GateConception Vessel6 of 38
  • CV06Sea Of QiConception Vessel6 of 38
  • LV03Great SurgeLiver Meridian6 of 38
  • BL21Stomach Shu PointBladder Meridian3 of 38
  • CV08Spirit Palace GateConception Vessel3 of 38

Each card names its evidence kind. What these labels mean

Protocol (6 points)

100%

ST24 · ST26 · CV04 · CV06 · CV10 · CV12

Point 1 of 6

ST24Slippery Flesh Gate

ST24 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Stomach Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 滑肉門 (huá ròu mén)

🎯 Location: 1 thumb width above the umbilicus 2 thumb widths lateral to the CV09.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution in pregnancy.

🛡️ Treats: Phlegm, Depression, Vomiting, Upper Stomach Pain, Vomiting Blood

ST26Outer Mound

ST26 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Stomach Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 外陵 (wài líng)

🎯 Location: 1 thumb width below umbilicus 2 thumb widths lateral to the CV07.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution in pregnancy.

🛡️ Treats: Abdominal Bloating, Abdominal Pain, Absent Periods, Pain, Shan Disorder

CV04Original Qi Gate

CV04 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Conception Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 關元 (guān yuán)

🎯 Location: On the anterior midline 3 thumb widths below umbilicus.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid needling over the gravid uterus after the first trimester; where used in pregnancy, needle shallowly and only on a clear obstetric indication. Bleeding in pregnancy requires obstetric assessment.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Diarrhea, Anxiety, Shortness of Breath, Kidney Deficiency

CV06Sea Of Qi

CV06 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Conception Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 氣海 (qì hǎi)

🎯 Location: On the anterior midline 1.5 thumb widths below umbilicus.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid needling over the gravid uterus after the first trimester; where used in pregnancy, needle shallowly and only on a clear obstetric indication.

🛡️ Treats: Diarrhea, Shortness of Breath, Constipation, Yang Weakness, Abdominal Bloating

CV10Lower Stomach

CV10 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Conception Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 下脘 (xià wǎn)

🎯 Location: On the anterior midline 2 thumb widths above the umbilicus.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution in pregnancy.

🛡️ Treats: Upper Stomach Pain, Nausea, Food Stagnation, Abdominal Fullness, Urine Dark

CV12Stomach Centre

CV12 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Conception Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 中脘 (zhōng wǎn)

🎯 Location: On the anterior midline 4 thumb widths above the umbilicus.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid needling over the gravid uterus after the first trimester; where used in pregnancy, needle shallowly and only on a clear obstetric indication.

🛡️ Treats: Poor Appetite, Diarrhea, Shortness of Breath, Common Cold, Depression

Study-reported

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1016/s0254-6272(09)60007-8 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. CV06, CV10, CV12 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.3389/fmed.2025.1676907 ↗

Protocol (2 points)

100%

ST36 · PC06

Point 1 of 2

ST36Leg Three Miles

ST36 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Stomach Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 足三里 (zú sān lǐ)

🎯 Location: 3 thumb widths below ST35, 1 finger breadth (middle finger) from anterior border of the tibia.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution in cases of severe varicose veins.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Fever, Poor Appetite, Diarrhea, Shortness of Breath

PC06Inner Gate

PC06 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Pericardium Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 內關 (nèi guān)

🎯 Location: 2 thumb widths above the transverse crease of the wrist between tendons of the palmaris longus and flexor carpi radialis.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution in severe deficiency conditions.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Diarrhea, Anxiety, Dizziness, Spleen Qi Deficiency

Study-reported

Electrical stimulation on the skin · 1 session

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1155/2015/168252 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. ST36, PC06 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1155/2018/3178472 ↗

Protocol (7 points)

100%

LI04 · ST34 · ST36 · SP04 · PC03 · LV03 · CV12

Point 1 of 7

LI04Junction Valley

LI04 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Large Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 合谷 (hé gǔ)

🎯 Location: On the dorsum of the hand between 1st & 2nd metacarpal bones approximately in the middle of the 2nd metacarpal bone on the radial side.

⚠️ Cautions: Traditionally forbidden in pregnancy – these are the points used to bring on labour at term. Controlled data show no excess of preterm birth or stillbirth (Carr 2015), but in pregnancy needle only on a clear obstetric indication.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Tinnitus, Release Exterior, Absent Periods, Wind

ST34Ridge Mound

ST34 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Stomach Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 梁丘 (liáng qiū)

🎯 Location: When knee is flexed point is 2 thumb widths above the laterosuperior border of the patella.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution with depth.

🛡️ Treats: Knee Pain, Wind, Numbness, Leg Pain, Pain

ST36Leg Three Miles

ST36 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Stomach Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 足三里 (zú sān lǐ)

🎯 Location: 3 thumb widths below ST35, 1 finger breadth (middle finger) from anterior border of the tibia.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution in cases of severe varicose veins.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Fever, Poor Appetite, Diarrhea, Shortness of Breath

SP04Grandfather Grandson

SP04 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Spleen Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 公孫 (gōng sūn)

🎯 Location: In the depression the distal and inferior to the base of the 1st metatarsal bone at the junction of the red and white skin.

⚠️ Cautions: Contraindicated during pregnancy.

🛡️ Treats: Diarrhea, Jaundice, Depression, Vomiting, Abdominal Bloating

PC03Marsh At The Bend

PC03 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Pericardium Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 曲澤 (qū zé)

🎯 Location: On the transverse cubital crease at the ulnar side of the tendon of the biceps brachii.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution with median nerve and brachial artery.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Diarrhea, Shortness of Breath, Coughing Blood, Palpitations

LV03Great Surge

LV03 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Liver Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 太衝 (tài chōng)

🎯 Location: On the dorsum of the foot in the depression the distal to the junction of the 1st and 2nd metatarsal bones.

⚠️ Cautions: Monitor blood pressure and avoid strong stimulation where hypertension is uncontrolled or unstable; hypertensive crisis is a medical emergency.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Diarrhea, Anxiety, Shortness of Breath, Sweating

CV12Stomach Centre

CV12 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Conception Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 中脘 (zhōng wǎn)

🎯 Location: On the anterior midline 4 thumb widths above the umbilicus.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid needling over the gravid uterus after the first trimester; where used in pregnancy, needle shallowly and only on a clear obstetric indication.

🛡️ Treats: Poor Appetite, Diarrhea, Shortness of Breath, Common Cold, Depression

Study-reported

Needling · 10 sessions over 4 weeks

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1186/s13063-016-1296-2 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. ST36, LV03, CV12 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1155/2019/7680963 ↗

Protocol (3 points)

100%

LI04 · ST36 · SP06

Point 1 of 3

LI04Junction Valley

LI04 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Large Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 合谷 (hé gǔ)

🎯 Location: On the dorsum of the hand between 1st & 2nd metacarpal bones approximately in the middle of the 2nd metacarpal bone on the radial side.

⚠️ Cautions: Traditionally forbidden in pregnancy – these are the points used to bring on labour at term. Controlled data show no excess of preterm birth or stillbirth (Carr 2015), but in pregnancy needle only on a clear obstetric indication.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Tinnitus, Release Exterior, Absent Periods, Wind

ST36Leg Three Miles

ST36 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Stomach Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 足三里 (zú sān lǐ)

🎯 Location: 3 thumb widths below ST35, 1 finger breadth (middle finger) from anterior border of the tibia.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution in cases of severe varicose veins.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Fever, Poor Appetite, Diarrhea, Shortness of Breath

SP06Three Yin Intersection

SP06 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Spleen Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 三陰交 (sān yīn jiāo)

🎯 Location: 3 thumb widths directly above the tip of the medial malleolus posterior to the medial border of the tibia.

⚠️ Cautions: Traditionally forbidden in pregnancy – these are the points used to bring on labour at term. Controlled data show no excess of preterm birth or stillbirth (Carr 2015), but in pregnancy needle only on a clear obstetric indication.

🛡️ Treats: Diarrhea, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Palpitations, Abdominal Bloating

Study-reported

Needling + Electroacupuncture

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1155/2018/3178472 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI04, ST36, SP06 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000013352 ↗

Protocol (6 points)

100%

LI04 · ST36 · ST37 · SP06 · PC06 · TB06

Point 1 of 6

LI04Junction Valley

LI04 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Large Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 合谷 (hé gǔ)

🎯 Location: On the dorsum of the hand between 1st & 2nd metacarpal bones approximately in the middle of the 2nd metacarpal bone on the radial side.

⚠️ Cautions: Traditionally forbidden in pregnancy – these are the points used to bring on labour at term. Controlled data show no excess of preterm birth or stillbirth (Carr 2015), but in pregnancy needle only on a clear obstetric indication.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Tinnitus, Release Exterior, Absent Periods, Wind

ST36Leg Three Miles

ST36 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Stomach Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 足三里 (zú sān lǐ)

🎯 Location: 3 thumb widths below ST35, 1 finger breadth (middle finger) from anterior border of the tibia.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution in cases of severe varicose veins.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Fever, Poor Appetite, Diarrhea, Shortness of Breath

ST37Upper Great Hollow

ST37 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Stomach Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 上巨虛 (shàng jù xū)

🎯 Location: 6 thumb widths below ST35, 1 finger breadth (middle finger) from anterior border of the tibia.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Diarrhea, Shortness of Breath, Spleen Weakness, Stomach Weakness, Common Cold

SP06Three Yin Intersection

SP06 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Spleen Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 三陰交 (sān yīn jiāo)

🎯 Location: 3 thumb widths directly above the tip of the medial malleolus posterior to the medial border of the tibia.

⚠️ Cautions: Traditionally forbidden in pregnancy – these are the points used to bring on labour at term. Controlled data show no excess of preterm birth or stillbirth (Carr 2015), but in pregnancy needle only on a clear obstetric indication.

🛡️ Treats: Diarrhea, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Palpitations, Abdominal Bloating

PC06Inner Gate

PC06 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Pericardium Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 內關 (nèi guān)

🎯 Location: 2 thumb widths above the transverse crease of the wrist between tendons of the palmaris longus and flexor carpi radialis.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution in severe deficiency conditions.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Diarrhea, Anxiety, Dizziness, Spleen Qi Deficiency

TB06Branch Ditch

TB06 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Triple Burner Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 支溝 (zhī gōu)

🎯 Location: 3 thumb widths proximal to the dorsal crease of the wrist on the line connecting TB04 and tip of the olecranon the between radius and ulna on the radial side of the extensor digitorum.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Tinnitus, Constipation, Vomiting, Abdominal Pain

Study-reported

Needling + Electroacupuncture

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1155/2018/3178472 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI04, ST36, ST37, SP06, TB06 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000013352 ↗

Protocol (2 points)

100%

ST36 · SP06

Point 1 of 2

ST36Leg Three Miles

ST36 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Stomach Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 足三里 (zú sān lǐ)

🎯 Location: 3 thumb widths below ST35, 1 finger breadth (middle finger) from anterior border of the tibia.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution in cases of severe varicose veins.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Fever, Poor Appetite, Diarrhea, Shortness of Breath

SP06Three Yin Intersection

SP06 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Spleen Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 三陰交 (sān yīn jiāo)

🎯 Location: 3 thumb widths directly above the tip of the medial malleolus posterior to the medial border of the tibia.

⚠️ Cautions: Traditionally forbidden in pregnancy – these are the points used to bring on labour at term. Controlled data show no excess of preterm birth or stillbirth (Carr 2015), but in pregnancy needle only on a clear obstetric indication.

🛡️ Treats: Diarrhea, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Palpitations, Abdominal Bloating

Study-reported

Electrical stimulation on the skin

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1155/2018/7341920 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. ST36, SP06 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1155/2018/3178472 ↗
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How the studies delivered it

What the 29 studies behind the entries above ran, counted once per study. A record of the trials, not a recommendation.

  • Needling14 of 29
  • Electroacupuncture6 of 29
  • Electrical stimulation on the skin4 of 29
  • Moxibustion2 of 29
  • Herbal plaster on points2 of 29
  • Laser1 of 29
  • Acupressure1 of 29
  • Press needles1 of 29

Sessions: the 11 studies that gave a count ran a median of 9 (middle half 4 to 20).

Course: the 12 studies that gave a length ran a median of 8 days (middle half 3 days to 27 days).

After a treatment: what large safety surveys recorded, and which reactions need a doctor.

Disclaimer: The acupoint information provided is for educational purposes only.