AcuiQ

Acupuncture Points for Back Chronic Pain

5 sourced protocols, each with its citation.

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Related symptoms

Often treated alongside Back Chronic Pain:

Low-back PainBack Low PainDisability Functional

Points cited for Back Chronic Pain

How often each point appears across the 5 entries ranked highest for Back Chronic Pain. Citation frequency, not a recommendation.

  • BL23Kidney Shu PointBladder Meridian3 of 5
  • BL40Middle Of The CreaseBladder Meridian3 of 5
  • BL60Kunlun (Mountains)Bladder Meridian2 of 5
  • GV03Yang Lumbar GateGoverning Vessel2 of 5
  • KD03Great StreamKidney Meridian2 of 5
  • BL30White Ring Shu PointBladder Meridian1 of 5
  • BL32Second Bone HoleBladder Meridian1 of 5
  • BL58Taking FlightBladder Meridian1 of 5
  • GB30Jumping CircleGallbladder Meridian1 of 5
  • GB41Foot Governor Of TearsGallbladder Meridian1 of 5
  • GV04Life GateGoverning Vessel1 of 5
  • GV20100 ConvergencesGoverning Vessel1 of 5

Each card names its evidence kind. What these labels mean

Protocol (12 points)

100%

LI04 · ST36 · SP06 · HT03 · BL23 · BL30 · BL58 · BL60 · KD07 · TB05 · GB41 · GV04

Back Low PainDisability FunctionalBack Chronic Pain
Point 1 of 12

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

Study-reported

Needling + Electroacupuncture · 12 sessions over 6 weeks

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1186/s13063-015-0850-7 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. BL23 also appears in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1016/j.nicl.2019.101885 ↗

Protocol (4 points)

100%

BL23 · BL40 · KD03 · GV03

Back Chronic PainLow-back Pain
Point 1 of 4

BL23Kidney Shu Point

BL23 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 腎俞 (shèn yú)

🎯 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

Study-reported

Needling · a 4-week course

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1016/j.nicl.2019.101885 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. BL23, BL40, KD03, GV03 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.neuroimage.2020.116899 ↗

Protocol (4 points)

100%

BL23 · BL40 · KD03 · GV03

Back Chronic PainLow-back Pain
Point 1 of 4

BL23Kidney Shu Point

BL23 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 腎俞 (shèn yú)

🎯 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

Study-reported

Needling · a 4-week course

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1016/j.neuroimage.2020.116899 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. BL23, BL40, KD03, GV03 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.nicl.2019.101885 ↗

Protocol (6 points)

100%

HT07 · BL32 · BL60 · KD01 · GB30 · GV20

Back Chronic PainLow-back Pain
Point 1 of 6

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

Study-reported

Acupressure · 9 sessions over 3 weeks

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.4103/ijnmr.IJNMR_108_16 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. BL60 also appears in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1186/s13063-015-0850-7 ↗

Single-point entry

100%
Back Low PainBack Chronic 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

Study-reported

Laser + Cupping · a 5-day course

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1155/2012/521612 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. BL40 also appears in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1016/j.nicl.2019.101885 ↗
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How the studies delivered it

What the 5 studies behind the entries above ran, counted once per study. A record of the trials, not a recommendation.

  • Needling3 of 5
  • Electroacupuncture1 of 5
  • Acupressure1 of 5
  • Laser1 of 5
  • Cupping1 of 5

Course: the 5 studies that gave a length ran a median of 4 weeks (middle half 3 weeks to 4 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.