Acupuncture Points for Acute Pain

13 sourced protocols, each with its citation.

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Points cited for Acute Pain

How often each point appears across the 13 entries ranked highest for Acute Pain. Citation frequency, not a recommendation.

  • LI04Junction ValleyLarge Intestine Meridian6 of 13
  • ST36Leg Three MilesStomach Meridian4 of 13
  • BL40Middle Of The CreaseBladder Meridian3 of 13
  • GB34Yang Mound SpringGallbladder Meridian3 of 13
  • KD03Great StreamKidney Meridian3 of 13
  • LV03Great SurgeLiver Meridian3 of 13
  • SI03Back StreamSmall Intestine Meridian3 of 13
  • TB06Branch DitchTriple Burner Meridian3 of 13
  • BL54Lowermost In OrderBladder Meridian2 of 13
  • BL58Taking FlightBladder Meridian2 of 13
  • BL62Extending VesselBladder Meridian2 of 13
  • CV12Stomach CentreConception Vessel2 of 13

Each card names its evidence kind. What these labels mean

Protocol (9 points)

100%

ST36 · BL12 · BL13 · BL14 · BL15 · BL16 · BL17 · BL18 · BL19

Point 1 of 9

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

BL12Wind Gate

BL12 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 風門 (fēng mén)

🎯 Location: 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the du mai at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 2nd thoracic vertebra.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep perpendicular needling.

🛡️ Treats: Heat Chest, Cough, Chest Pain, Fever, Shortness of Breath

BL13Lung Shu Point

BL13 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 肺俞 (fèi shū)

🎯 Location: 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the GV12 at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 3rd thoracic vertebra.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep perpendicular needling.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Chest Pain, Fever, Shortness of Breath, Asthma

BL14Absolute Yin Shu Point

BL14 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 厥陰俞 (jué yīn shū)

🎯 Location: 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the du mai at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 4th thoracic vertebra.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep perpendicular needling.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Chest Pain, Asthma, Palpitations, Vomiting

BL15Heart Shu Point

BL15 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 心俞 (xīn shū)

🎯 Location: 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the GV11 at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 5th thoracic vertebra.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep perpendicular needling – risk of pneumothorax. New, worsening or unstable cardiac symptoms need medical assessment before treatment.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Chest Pain, Anxiety, Sweating, Coughing Blood

BL16Governing Vessel Shu Point

BL16 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 督俞 (dū shū)

🎯 Location: 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the GV10 at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 6th thoracic vertebra.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep perpendicular needling.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Fever, Shortness of Breath, Qi Deficiency, Common Cold

BL17Diaphragm Shu Point

BL17 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 膈俞 (gé shū)

🎯 Location: 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the GV09 at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 7th thoracic vertebra.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep perpendicular needling.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Fever, Shortness of Breath, Sweating, Dizziness

BL18Liver Shu Point

BL18 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 肝俞 (gān shū)

🎯 Location: 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the GV08 at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 9th thoracic vertebra.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep perpendicular needling.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Chest Pain, Dizziness, Coughing Blood, Jaundice

BL19Gallbladder Shu Point

BL19 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 膽俞 (dǎn shū)

🎯 Location: 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the GV07 at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 10th thoracic vertebra.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep perpendicular needling.

🛡️ Treats: Chest Pain, Palpitations, Jaundice, Common Cold, Vomiting

Study-reported

Press needles · a 4-week course

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1016/j.jtcvs.2008.07.053 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. ST36 also appears in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1111/apa.13581 ↗

Protocol (14 points)

100%

LI04 · BL29 · BL30 · BL31 · BL32 · BL40 · BL54 · BL58 · BL62 · KD03 · GB30 · LV03 · GV03 · GV04

Point 1 of 14

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

BL29Middle Spine Shu

BL29 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 中膂俞 (zhōng lǚ shū)

🎯 Location: 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the du mai at the level of the 3rd posterior sacral foramen.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep perpendicular needling.

🛡️ Treats: Diarrhea, Common Cold, Abdominal Bloating, Dysentery, Sciatica

BL30White Ring Shu Point

BL30 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 白環俞 (bái huán shū)

🎯 Location: 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the du mai at the level of the 4th posterior sacral foramen.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep perpendicular needling.

🛡️ Treats: Heat Chest, Cough, Fever, Shortness of Breath, Knee Pain

BL31Upper Bone Hole

BL31 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 上髎 (shàng liáo)

🎯 Location: On the sacrum at the midpoint between posterior superior iliac spine and posterior midline just at the 1st posterior sacral foramen.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution in sacroiliac dysfunction.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Knee Pain, Common Cold, Vomiting, Back Pain

BL32Second Bone Hole

BL32 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 次髎 (cì liáo)

🎯 Location: On the sacrum medial and inferior to the posterior superior iliac spine just at the 2nd posterior sacral foramen.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution in sacroiliac dysfunction.

🛡️ Treats: Constipation, Pain, Urinary Retention, Infertility, Sciatica

BL40Middle Of The Crease

BL40 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 委中 (wěi zhōng)

🎯 Location: Midpoint of the transverse crease of the popliteal fossa between tendons of the biceps femoris and semitendinosus.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution in weakness/fatigue; avoid strong stimulation.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Diarrhea, Knee Pain, Vomiting, Abdominal Pain

BL54Lowermost In Order

BL54 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 秩邊 (zhì biān)

🎯 Location: On the level of the 4th posterior sacral foramen 3 thumb widths lateral to the median sacral crest.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Kidney Deficiency, Pain, Urinary Retention, Hemorrhoids, Sciatica

BL58Taking Flight

BL58 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 飛揚 (fēi yáng)

🎯 Location: 7 thumb widths directly above the BL60 on the posterior border of the fibula about 1 thumb width lateral and inferior to the BL57.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Dizziness, Back Pain, Heaviness, Swelling

BL62Extending Vessel

BL62 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 申脈 (shēn mài)

🎯 Location: In the depression the directly below external malleolus.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Sweating, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Palpitations

KD03Great Stream

KD03 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Kidney Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 太谿 (tài xī)

🎯 Location: In the depression the between tip of the medial malleolus and achilles tendon.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Chest Pain, Shortness of Breath, Heat Deficiency, Asthma

GB30Jumping Circle

GB30 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Gallbladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 環跳 (huán tiào)

🎯 Location: At the junction of the lateral ⅓ and medial ⅔ of the distance between prominence of the greater trochanter and hiatus of the sacrum, GV02; when locating point put patient in the lateral recumbent position the with thigh flexed.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution with sciatic nerve.

🛡️ Treats: Knee Pain, Back Pain, Leg Pain, Hip Pain, Pain

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

GV03Yang Lumbar Gate

GV03 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Governing Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 腰陽關 (yāo yáng guān)

🎯 Location: Below spinous process of the 4th lumbar vertebra at the level with iliac crest.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Numbness, Lower Back Pain, Urine White, Benefit Legs, Benefit Back Lumbar

GV04Life Gate

GV04 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Governing Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 命門 (mìng mén)

🎯 Location: Below spinous process of the 2nd lumbar vertebra.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Anxiety, Kidney Deficiency, Dizziness, Tinnitus

Study-reported

Needling · 1 session

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1186/1745-6215-12-241 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. KD03 also appears in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1111/apa.13581 ↗

Protocol (11 points)

100%

LI04 · BL23 · BL25 · BL40 · BL52 · BL54 · BL58 · BL62 · KD03 · GB30 · LV03

Point 1 of 11

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

BL23Kidney Shu Point

BL23 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 腎俞 (shèn shū)

🎯 Location: 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the GV04 at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 2nd lumbar vertebra.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep perpendicular needling.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Diarrhea, Asthma, Tinnitus, Qi Deficiency

BL25Large Intestine Shu Point

BL25 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 大腸俞 (dà cháng shū)

🎯 Location: 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the GV03 at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 4th lumbar vertebra.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep perpendicular needling.

🛡️ Treats: Diarrhea, Common Cold, Constipation, Abdominal Bloating, Abdominal Pain

BL40Middle Of The Crease

BL40 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 委中 (wěi zhōng)

🎯 Location: Midpoint of the transverse crease of the popliteal fossa between tendons of the biceps femoris and semitendinosus.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution in weakness/fatigue; avoid strong stimulation.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Diarrhea, Knee Pain, Vomiting, Abdominal Pain

BL52Willpower Room

BL52 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 志室 (zhì shì)

🎯 Location: 3 thumb widths lateral to the GV04 at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 2nd lumbar vertebra.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep perpendicular needling due to risk of pneumothorax.

🛡️ Treats: Vomiting, Back Pain, Swelling, Edema, Dreaming

BL54Lowermost In Order

BL54 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 秩邊 (zhì biān)

🎯 Location: On the level of the 4th posterior sacral foramen 3 thumb widths lateral to the median sacral crest.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Kidney Deficiency, Pain, Urinary Retention, Hemorrhoids, Sciatica

BL58Taking Flight

BL58 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 飛揚 (fēi yáng)

🎯 Location: 7 thumb widths directly above the BL60 on the posterior border of the fibula about 1 thumb width lateral and inferior to the BL57.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Dizziness, Back Pain, Heaviness, Swelling

BL62Extending Vessel

BL62 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 申脈 (shēn mài)

🎯 Location: In the depression the directly below external malleolus.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Sweating, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Palpitations

KD03Great Stream

KD03 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Kidney Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 太谿 (tài xī)

🎯 Location: In the depression the between tip of the medial malleolus and achilles tendon.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Chest Pain, Shortness of Breath, Heat Deficiency, Asthma

GB30Jumping Circle

GB30 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Gallbladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 環跳 (huán tiào)

🎯 Location: At the junction of the lateral ⅓ and medial ⅔ of the distance between prominence of the greater trochanter and hiatus of the sacrum, GV02; when locating point put patient in the lateral recumbent position the with thigh flexed.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution with sciatic nerve.

🛡️ Treats: Knee Pain, Back Pain, Leg Pain, Hip Pain, Pain

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

Study-reported

Needling · 1 session

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1186/1745-6215-12-241 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. KD03 also appears in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1111/apa.13581 ↗

Protocol (4 points)

100%

ST36 · SP06 · BL60 · KD03

Point 1 of 4

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

BL60Kunlun (Mountains)

BL60 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 崑崙 (kūn lún)

🎯 Location: In the depression the between tip of the external malleolus and achilles tendon.

⚠️ 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: Cough, Shortness of Breath, Heat, Chest Fullness, Abdominal Pain

KD03Great Stream

KD03 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Kidney Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 太谿 (tài xī)

🎯 Location: In the depression the between tip of the medial malleolus and achilles tendon.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Chest Pain, Shortness of Breath, Heat Deficiency, Asthma

Study-reported

Electrical stimulation on the skin · 1 session

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1111/apa.13581 ↗
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:10.1097/MD.0000000000034920 ↗

Protocol (8 points)

100%

LI04 · LI11 · ST44 · SP10 · PC06 · LV02 · CV04 · CV12

Point 1 of 8

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

LI11Pond At The Bend

LI11 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Large Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 曲池 (qū chí)

🎯 Location: When elbow is flexed point is in the depression the at the lateral end of the transverse cubital crease midway between LU05 and lateral epicondyle of the humerus.

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

🛡️ Treats: Diarrhea, Dizziness, Heat, Vomiting, Abdominal Bloating

ST44Inner Court

ST44 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Stomach Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 內庭 (nèi tíng)

🎯 Location: Proximal to the web margin the between 2nd and 3rd toes in the depression the distal and lateral to the 2nd metatarsodigital joint.

⚠️ Cautions: Anticoagulant therapy or a coagulopathy raises the risk of haematoma at the needling site – apply prolonged pressure on withdrawal. The precaution governs technique; bleeding disorders remain a treatable indication.

🛡️ Treats: Diarrhea, Tinnitus, Common Cold, Constipation, Abdominal Pain

SP10Sea Of Blood

SP10 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Spleen Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 血海 (xuè hǎi)

🎯 Location: When knee is flexed point is 2 thumb widths above the mediosuperior border of the patella on the bulge of the medial portion of the quadriceps femoris.

⚠️ Cautions: Anticoagulant therapy or a coagulopathy raises the risk of haematoma at the needling site – apply prolonged pressure on withdrawal. The precaution governs technique; bleeding disorders remain a treatable indication.

🛡️ Treats: Knee Pain, Absent Periods, Blood Stagnation, Pain, Hives

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

LV02Passing Between

LV02 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Liver Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 行間 (xíng jiān)

🎯 Location: On the dorsum of the foot between 1st and 2nd toe proximal to the margin of the web at the junction of the red and white skin.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Chest Pain, Diarrhea, Anxiety, Dizziness, Coughing Blood

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

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

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000034920 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI04 also appears in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1186/1745-6215-12-241 ↗

Protocol (10 points)

100%

LI04 · ST25 · ST36 · SP06 · SP08 · SP09 · SP10 · SI03 · GB34 · CV12

Point 1 of 10

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

ST25Celestial Pivot

ST25 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Stomach Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 天樞 (tiān shū)

🎯 Location: 2 thumb widths lateral to the center of the umbilicus.

⚠️ Cautions: Acute appendicitis is a surgical emergency – treatment here is adjunctive at most and must never delay surgical assessment. 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, Constipation, Vomiting, Abdominal Bloating

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

SP08Earth'S Cure

SP08 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Spleen Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 地機 (dì jī)

🎯 Location: 3 thumb widths below SP09 on the line connecting tip of the medial malleolus and SP09.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Poor Appetite, Diarrhea, Abdominal Bloating, Abdominal Pain, Blood Stagnation

SP09Yin Mound Spring

SP09 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Spleen Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 陰陵泉 (yīn líng quán)

🎯 Location: On the lower border of the medial condyle of the tibia in the depression the posterior and inferior to the medial condyle of the tibia.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid in cases of knee inflammation.

🛡️ Treats: Heat Chest, Fever, Diarrhea, Shortness of Breath, Jaundice

SP10Sea Of Blood

SP10 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Spleen Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 血海 (xuè hǎi)

🎯 Location: When knee is flexed point is 2 thumb widths above the mediosuperior border of the patella on the bulge of the medial portion of the quadriceps femoris.

⚠️ Cautions: Anticoagulant therapy or a coagulopathy raises the risk of haematoma at the needling site – apply prolonged pressure on withdrawal. The precaution governs technique; bleeding disorders remain a treatable indication.

🛡️ Treats: Knee Pain, Absent Periods, Blood Stagnation, Pain, Hives

SI03Back Stream

SI03 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Small Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 後谿 (hòu xī)

🎯 Location: When loose fist is made point is on the ulnar end of the distal palmar crease proximal to the 5th metacarpophalangeal joint at the end of the transverse crease and junction of the red and white skin.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Knee Pain, Tinnitus, Jaundice, Common Cold

GB34Yang Mound Spring

GB34 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Gallbladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 陽陵泉 (yáng líng quán)

🎯 Location: In the depression the anterior and inferior to the head of the fibula.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Knee Pain, Jaundice, Constipation, Vomiting

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

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000034920 ↗
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:10.1111/apa.13581 ↗
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How the studies delivered it

What the 7 studies behind the entries above ran, counted once per study. A record of the trials, not a recommendation.

  • Needling3 of 7
  • Press needles1 of 7
  • Electrical stimulation on the skin1 of 7
  • Acupressure1 of 7

Sessions: the 4 studies that gave a count ran a median of 1 (middle half 1 to 1).

Course: the 5 studies that gave a length ran a median of 1 day (middle half 1 day to 1 day).

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

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