Acupuncture Points for Attention Deficit

7 sourced protocols, each with its citation.

Each card names its evidence kind. What these labels mean

Protocol (6 points)

100%

ST36 · KD03 · KD04 · GB39 · GV20 · GV24

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

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

KD04Large Bell

KD04 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Kidney Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 大鐘 (dà zhōng)

🎯 Location: Posterior and inferior to the medial malleolus in the depression the anterior to the medial side of the attachment of the achilles tendon.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Anxiety, Asthma, Coughing Blood, Palpitations

GB39Suspended Bell

GB39 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Gallbladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 懸鐘 (xuán zhōng)

🎯 Location: 3 thumb widths above the tip of the external malleolus on the anterior border of the fibula.

⚠️ Cautions: Contraindicated during pregnancy.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Anxiety, Knee Pain, Dizziness, Heat

GV20100 Convergences

GV20 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Governing Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 百會 (bǎi huì)

🎯 Location: On the midline of the head 5 thumb widths directly above the midpoint of the anterior hairline approximately on the midpoint of the line connecting apex of the ears.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Chest Pain, Palpitations, Jaundice, Qi Deficiency

GV24Spirit Court

GV24 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Governing Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 神庭 (shén tíng)

🎯 Location: 0.5 thumb widths directly above the midpoint of the anterior hairline.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Shortness of Breath, Dizziness, Palpitations, Depression

Study-reported

Needling

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.12659/MSM.909712 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. ST36, GV20, GV24 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1016/j.clinsp.2025.100770 ↗
Press Needles
1 box, $19.99

Protocol (3 points)

100%

KD03 · LV03 · GV20

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

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

GV20100 Convergences

GV20 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Governing Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 百會 (bǎi huì)

🎯 Location: On the midline of the head 5 thumb widths directly above the midpoint of the anterior hairline approximately on the midpoint of the line connecting apex of the ears.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Chest Pain, Palpitations, Jaundice, Qi Deficiency

Study-reported

Electrical stimulation on the skin · 8 sessions over 4 weeks

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1038/s41398-022-01914-0 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. KD03, GV20 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.12659/MSM.909712 ↗

Protocol (2 points)

100%

PC06 · GV26

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

GV26Philtrum

GV26 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Governing Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 水溝 (shuǐ gōu)

🎯 Location: At the junction of the upper ⅓ and middle ⅓ of the philtrum.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Jaundice, Depression, Wind, Chills

Study-reported

Electroacupuncture · 14 sessions over 2 weeks

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000032885 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. PC06 also appears in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.3390/brainsci11060756 ↗

Protocol (5 points)

100%

ST36 · HT09 · PC09 · GV20 · GV24

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

HT09Lesser Surge

HT09 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Heart Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 少衝 (shào chōng)

🎯 Location: On the radial side of the little finger about 0.1 thumb width from corner of the nail.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid in patients with bleeding disorders.

🛡️ Treats: Chest Pain, Palpitations, Jaundice, Qi Deficiency, Heat

PC09Central Surge

PC09 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Pericardium Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 中衝 (zhōng chōng)

🎯 Location: In the center of the tip of the middle finger.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid in patients with bleeding disorders.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Diarrhea, Tinnitus, Heat, Vomiting

GV20100 Convergences

GV20 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Governing Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 百會 (bǎi huì)

🎯 Location: On the midline of the head 5 thumb widths directly above the midpoint of the anterior hairline approximately on the midpoint of the line connecting apex of the ears.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Chest Pain, Palpitations, Jaundice, Qi Deficiency

GV24Spirit Court

GV24 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Governing Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 神庭 (shén tíng)

🎯 Location: 0.5 thumb widths directly above the midpoint of the anterior hairline.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Shortness of Breath, Dizziness, Palpitations, Depression

Study-reported

Needling · 24 sessions over 4 weeks

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1016/j.clinsp.2025.100770 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. ST36, GV20, GV24 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.12659/MSM.909712 ↗
Press Needles
120 needles for this course · 2 boxes, $39.98

Protocol (7 points)

100%

GV03 · GV04 · GV09 · GV14 · GV16 · GV20 · GV24

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

GV09Reaching Yang

GV09 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Governing Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 至陽 (zhì yáng)

🎯 Location: Below spinous process of the 7th thoracic vertebra approximately at the level with inferior angle of the scapula.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Fever, Shortness of Breath, Jaundice, Qi Deficiency

GV14Great Vertebra

GV14 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Governing Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 大椎 (dà zhuī)

🎯 Location: Below spinous process of the 7th cervical vertebra approximately at the level of the shoulders.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution with C7 vertebra.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Shortness of Breath, Weakness, Heat, Chest Fullness

GV16Wind Mansion

GV16 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Governing Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 風府 (fēng fǔ)

🎯 Location: 1 thumb width directly above the midpoint of the posterior hairline directly below external occipital protuberance in the depression the between trapezius of the both sides.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution; proximity to foramen magnum.

🛡️ Treats: Stress, Heat Chest, Anxiety, Sweating, Dizziness

GV20100 Convergences

GV20 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Governing Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 百會 (bǎi huì)

🎯 Location: On the midline of the head 5 thumb widths directly above the midpoint of the anterior hairline approximately on the midpoint of the line connecting apex of the ears.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Chest Pain, Palpitations, Jaundice, Qi Deficiency

GV24Spirit Court

GV24 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Governing Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 神庭 (shén tíng)

🎯 Location: 0.5 thumb widths directly above the midpoint of the anterior hairline.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Shortness of Breath, Dizziness, Palpitations, Depression

Study-reported

Needling · 24 sessions over 4 weeks

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000044257 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. GV20, GV24 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.12659/MSM.909712 ↗
Press Needles
168 needles for this course · 2 boxes, $39.98

Protocol (2 points)

100%

HT07 · PC06

HT07Spirit Gate

HT07 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Heart Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 神門 (shén mén)

🎯 Location: At the ulnar end of the transverse crease of the wrist in the depression on the radial side of the tendon of the flexor carpi ulnaris.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution in cardiac arrhythmias.

🛡️ Treats: Anxiety, Shortness of Breath, Palpitations, Common Cold, Heat

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

Electroacupuncture · 24 sessions over 12 weeks

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.3390/brainsci11060756 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. PC06 also appears in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000032885 ↗
AcuiQ Self-Treatment Guide
Acupressure you can do at home, every protocol traced to a trial. – $12.99, free updates for life

Points cited for Attention Deficit

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

  • GV20100 ConvergencesGoverning Vessel5 of 7
  • GV24Spirit CourtGoverning Vessel3 of 7
  • KD03Great StreamKidney Meridian2 of 7
  • PC06Inner GatePericardium Meridian2 of 7
  • ST36Leg Three MilesStomach Meridian2 of 7
  • GB39Suspended BellGallbladder Meridian1 of 7
  • GV03Yang Lumbar GateGoverning Vessel1 of 7
  • GV04Life GateGoverning Vessel1 of 7
  • GV09Reaching YangGoverning Vessel1 of 7
  • GV14Great VertebraGoverning Vessel1 of 7
  • GV16Wind MansionGoverning Vessel1 of 7
  • GV26PhiltrumGoverning Vessel1 of 7

Tested, no effect found

These studies tested the points below for Attention Deficit and found no effect. They are not counted above.

GB20 · GV20 · GV24 – doi:10.1016/s0254-6272(09)60027-3 – No better than another treatment

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.

  • Needling4 of 7
  • Electroacupuncture2 of 7
  • Electrical stimulation on the skin1 of 7

Sessions: the 6 studies that gave a count ran a median of 24 (middle half 17 to 24).

Course: the 6 studies that gave a length ran a median of 4 weeks (middle half 4 weeks to 10 weeks).

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

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