Points cited for Low Back Chronic Pain How often each point appears across the 38 entries ranked highest for Low Back Chronic Pain. Citation frequency, not a recommendation.
BL23 Kidney Shu Point Bladder Meridian 31 of 38 BL25 Large Intestine Shu Point Bladder Meridian 27 of 38 BL40 Middle Of The Crease Bladder Meridian 25 of 38 GV03 Yang Lumbar Gate Governing Vessel 21 of 38 BL24 Sea Of Qi Shu Point Bladder Meridian 14 of 38 BL60 Kunlun (Mountains) Bladder Meridian 12 of 38 GB30 Jumping Circle Gallbladder Meridian 12 of 38 GV04 Life Gate Governing Vessel 9 of 38 GB34 Yang Mound Spring Gallbladder Meridian 6 of 38 BL20 Spleen Shu Point Bladder Meridian 5 of 38 KD03 Great Stream Kidney Meridian 5 of 38 BL26 Original Qi Gate Shu Point Bladder Meridian 4 of 38 Each card names its evidence kind. What these labels mean
Protocol (19 points) 100% ST04 · ST36 · SP13 · SP14 · BL23 · BL24 · BL25 · BL37 · BL40 · GB12 · GB26 · GB30 · GB34 · GB41 · GV03 · GV04 · GV05 · GV24 · GV26
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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
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🗺️ Meridian: Spleen Meridian
🇨🇳 Chinese: 府舍 (fǔ shè)
🎯 Location: 4 thumb widths below center of the umbilicus 0.7 thumb widths superior to the SP12, 4 thumb widths lateral to the anterior midline.
⚠️ Cautions: Caution in pregnancy.
🛡️ Treats: Constipation , Abdominal Pain , Pain , Thigh Pain , Benefit Digestion
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🗺️ Meridian: Spleen Meridian
🇨🇳 Chinese: 腹結 (fù jié)
🎯 Location: 13 thumb widths below SP15, 4 thumb widths lateral to the anterior midline, on the lateral side of the rectus abdominis.
⚠️ Cautions: Caution in pregnancy.
🛡️ Treats: Cough , Diarrhea , Constipation , Abdominal Bloating , Dysentery
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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
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🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian
🇨🇳 Chinese: 氣海俞 (qì hǎi shū)
🎯 Location: 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the du mai at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 3rd lumbar vertebra.
⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep perpendicular needling.
🛡️ Treats: Diarrhea , Abdominal Pain , Hemorrhoids , Menstrual Cramps , Leg Weakness
BL25 Large Intestine Shu Point Click to enlarge
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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
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🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian
🇨🇳 Chinese: 殷門 (yīn mén)
🎯 Location: 6 thumb widths below BL36 on the line joining BL36 and BL40.
⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.
🛡️ Treats: Back Pain , Hip Pain , Pain , Thigh Pain , Sciatica
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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
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🗺️ Meridian: Gallbladder Meridian
🇨🇳 Chinese: 完骨 (wán gǔ)
🎯 Location: In the depression the posterior and inferior to the mastoid process.
⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications for head points.
🛡️ Treats: Wind , Pain , Deviation Eye , Facial Droop , Epilepsy
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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
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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
GB41 Foot Governor Of Tears Click to enlarge
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🗺️ Meridian: Gallbladder Meridian
🇨🇳 Chinese: 足臨泣 (zú lín qì)
🎯 Location: Posterior to the 4th metatarsophalangeal joint in the depression the lateral to the tendon of the extensor digiti minimi of the foot.
⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.
🛡️ Treats: Fever , Phlegm , Sweating , Kidney Deficiency , Dizziness
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🗺️ Meridian: Governing Vessel
🇨🇳 Chinese: 人中 (rén zhōng)
🎯 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 Needling · 12 sessions over 6 weeks
Point selection reported in a published study.
doi:10.1186/1471-2474-11-118 ↗ Corroborated by a second study. BL23, BL24, BL25, BL40, GB30, GV03, GV04, GV05 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.2026.1857622 ↗
Protocol (7 points) 100% BL23 · BL24 · BL25 · GB30 · GV03 · GV04 · GV05
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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
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🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian
🇨🇳 Chinese: 氣海俞 (qì hǎi shū)
🎯 Location: 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the du mai at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 3rd lumbar vertebra.
⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep perpendicular needling.
🛡️ Treats: Diarrhea , Abdominal Pain , Hemorrhoids , Menstrual Cramps , Leg Weakness
BL25 Large Intestine Shu Point Click to enlarge
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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
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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
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Study-reported Point injection
Point selection reported in a published study.
doi:10.1186/1745-6215-14-16 ↗ Corroborated by a second study. BL23, BL24, BL25, GB30, GV03, GV04, GV05 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group.
doi:10.1186/1471-2474-11-118 ↗
Protocol (7 points) 100% BL23 · BL24 · BL25 · BL40 · BL60 · KD03 · GB34
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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
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🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian
🇨🇳 Chinese: 氣海俞 (qì hǎi shū)
🎯 Location: 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the du mai at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 3rd lumbar vertebra.
⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep perpendicular needling.
🛡️ Treats: Diarrhea , Abdominal Pain , Hemorrhoids , Menstrual Cramps , Leg Weakness
BL25 Large Intestine Shu Point Click to enlarge
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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
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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
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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
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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
Study-reported Needling
Point selection reported in a published study.
doi:10.1155/2013/125937 ↗ Corroborated by a second study. BL23, BL24, BL25, BL40, GB34 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group.
doi:10.1186/1471-2474-11-118 ↗
Protocol (7 points) 100% BL23 · BL24 · BL25 · BL26 · BL40 · BL60 · GV03
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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
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🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian
🇨🇳 Chinese: 氣海俞 (qì hǎi shū)
🎯 Location: 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the du mai at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 3rd lumbar vertebra.
⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep perpendicular needling.
🛡️ Treats: Diarrhea , Abdominal Pain , Hemorrhoids , Menstrual Cramps , Leg Weakness
BL25 Large Intestine Shu Point Click to enlarge
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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
BL26 Original Qi Gate Shu Point Click to enlarge
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🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian
🇨🇳 Chinese: 關元俞 (guān yuán shū)
🎯 Location: 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the du mai at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 5th lumbar vertebra.
⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep perpendicular needling.
🛡️ Treats: Diarrhea , Constipation , Abdominal Bloating , Lower Back Pain , Bedwetting
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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
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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
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Study-reported Needling · 16 sessions over 8 weeks
Point selection reported in a published study.
doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000010790 ↗ Corroborated by a second study. BL23, BL24, BL25, BL26, BL40, BL60, GV03 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.0000000000022526 ↗
Protocol (3 points) 100% BL23 · BL24 · BL25
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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
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🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian
🇨🇳 Chinese: 氣海俞 (qì hǎi shū)
🎯 Location: 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the du mai at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 3rd lumbar vertebra.
⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep perpendicular needling.
🛡️ Treats: Diarrhea , Abdominal Pain , Hemorrhoids , Menstrual Cramps , Leg Weakness
BL25 Large Intestine Shu Point Click to enlarge
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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
Study-reported Needling · 6 sessions over 3 weeks
Point selection reported in a published study.
doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000013047 ↗ Corroborated by a second study. BL23, BL24, BL25 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group.
doi:10.1186/1471-2474-11-118 ↗
Protocol (4 points) 100% BL23 · BL40 · KD03 · GV03
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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
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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
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Back Pain
The most-searched complaint on AcuiQ. Four conditions, every point illustrated. – $5, free updates for life
Buy Registered, results not reported These trials registered a protocol for Low Back Chronic Pain and have not reported results. They are not counted above.
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.
Needling 17 of 29 Electroacupuncture 6 of 29 Laser 5 of 29 Cupping 4 of 29 Point injection 1 of 29 Thread embedding 1 of 29 Moxibustion 1 of 29 Acupressure 1 of 29 Sessions: the 17 studies that gave a count ran a median of 6 (middle half 4 to 12).
Course: the 19 studies that gave a length ran a median of 4 weeks (middle half 8 days to 4 weeks).
After a treatment : what large safety surveys recorded, and which reactions need a doctor.