Acupuncture Points for Arm Pain

Points cited for Arm Pain

How often each point appears across the 7 entries ranked highest for Arm Pain. Citation frequency, not a recommendation.

GB20Wind PoolGallbladder Meridian5 of 7
GB21Shoulder WellGallbladder Meridian4 of 7
GV16Wind MansionGoverning Vessel4 of 7
SI14Outer Shoulder PointSmall Intestine Meridian4 of 7
GV14Great VertebraGoverning Vessel3 of 7
BL10Celestial PillarBladder Meridian2 of 7
LI10Arm Three MilesLarge Intestine Meridian2 of 7
LI11Pond At The BendLarge Intestine Meridian2 of 7
LI12Elbow Bone HoleLarge Intestine Meridian2 of 7
SI15Middle Shoulder PointSmall Intestine Meridian2 of 7
TB14Shoulder Bone HoleTriple Burner Meridian2 of 7
BL60Kunlun (Mountains)Bladder Meridian1 of 7

Each card names its evidence kind. What these labels mean

Protocol (9 points)

100%

LI04 · ST44 · SI03 · BL60 · TB05 · GB34 · GB40 · LV03 · GV14

Shoulder Pain Arm Pain Neck Pain Arm Numbness Radiculopathy Cervical

Point 1 of 9

LI04Junction Valley

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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

Study-reported

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1155/2018/3465897 ↗

Corroborated by a second study. GV14 also appears in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20241126-k0001 ↗

Protocol (5 points)

100%

SI14 · SI15 · GB20 · GB21 · GV16

Arm Pain Neck Pain Disc Herniation Cervical Radiculopathy Cervical Upper Limb Numbness

Point 1 of 5

SI14Outer Shoulder Point

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🗺️ Meridian: Small Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 肩外俞 (jiān wài yú)

🎯 Location: 3 thumb widths lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the 1st thoracic vertebra where GV13 is located.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep perpendicular needling; risk of pneumothorax.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Wind, Shoulder Blade Pain, Shoulder Pain, Pain

Study-reported

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.2147/JPR.S527880 ↗

Corroborated by a second study. SI14, GB20, GB21 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20241126-k0001 ↗

Protocol (7 points)

100%

LI10 · LI11 · LI12 · BL10 · TB14 · GB20 · GV16

Arm Pain Neck Pain Arm Numbness Radiculopathy Cervical Grip Weakness Neck Cervical Pain Radicular Upper-limb Pain Paraesthesia Forearm Right Paraesthesia Fingers Right Edema Hand Right Cervical-disc-herniation Double-crush-syndrome Radial-tunnel-syndrome

Point 1 of 7

LI10Arm Three Miles

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🗺️ Meridian: Large Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 手三里 (shǒu sān lǐ)

🎯 Location: On the line joining LI05 and LI11, 2 thumb widths below cubital crease.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid in cases of local inflammation or injury.

🛡️ Treats: Diarrhea, Vomiting, Abdominal Pain, Pain, Facial Droop

Study-reported

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000043745 ↗

Corroborated by a second study. GB20, GV16 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.2147/JPR.S527880 ↗