AcuiQ

Acupuncture Points for Back Pain

284 sourced protocols, each with its citation.

Related Symptoms

Often treated alongside Back Pain:

Low Back PainBack PainBack Low PainLow-back PainInsomniaLeg Pain

Points cited for Back Pain

How often each point appears across the 50 entries ranked highest for Back Pain. Citation frequency, not a recommendation.

  • BL23Kidney Shu PointBladder Meridian30 of 50
  • BL25Large Intestine Shu PointBladder Meridian30 of 50
  • BL40Middle Of The CreaseBladder Meridian26 of 50
  • BL24Sea Of Qi Shu PointBladder Meridian18 of 50
  • GB30Jumping CircleGallbladder Meridian16 of 50
  • GV03Yang Lumbar GateGoverning Vessel16 of 50
  • BL60Kunlun (Mountains)Bladder Meridian11 of 50
  • GV04Life GateGoverning Vessel11 of 50
  • ST36Leg Three MilesStomach Meridian11 of 50
  • LI04Junction ValleyLarge Intestine Meridian9 of 50
  • BL26Original Qi Gate Shu PointBladder Meridian8 of 50
  • GB34Yang Mound SpringGallbladder Meridian8 of 50

Kinds of Back Pain

This page covers 284 entries across every kind of back pain. Narrow it to the one you mean.

Low Back Pain176 protocols →Lumbar Pain72 protocols →Low Back Chronic Pain28 protocols →Lumbar Acute Pain13 protocols →Low Back Non-specific Pain12 protocols →Back Chronic Pain5 protocols →Back Acute Pain3 protocols →

Each card names its evidence kind. What these labels mean

Protocol (5 points)

100%

BL23 · BL25 · BL40 · GV03 · GV04

Low Back PainDisability Low Back
Point 1 of 5

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

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0000919 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. BL23, BL25, BL40, GV03, GV04 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 (5 points)

100%

BL23 · BL25 · BL40 · GV03 · GV04

Back Low PainDisability Musculoskeletal
Point 1 of 5

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

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0000919 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. BL23, BL25, BL40, GV03, GV04 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 (11 points)

100%

LI04 · ST36 · SP12 · BL26 · BL32 · BL33 · BL54 · BL60 · KD11 · GB30 · GV20

Low Back PainPelvic Girdle PainSacroiliac PainSymphysis PainPregnancy Second TrimesterPregnancy Third Trimester
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

Study-reported

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1186/1472-6882-8-34 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. BL26, BL32, BL33, BL60, GB30 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1093/ecam/nep085 ↗

Protocol (6 points)

100%

LI11 · ST36 · SP06 · SP09 · TB05 · GV20

FatigueAnxietyInsomniaBack PainShoulder PainHot Flashes
Point 1 of 6

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

Study-reported

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1177/1534735409343446 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI11, ST36, TB05, GV20 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1186/s12884-016-1092-8 ↗

Protocol (12 points)

100%

BL23 · BL24 · BL25 · BL26 · BL31 · BL32 · BL33 · BL34 · BL40 · BL57 · BL60 · GB30

Back PainSciatica PainHerniated Nucleus Pulposus
Point 1 of 12

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

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1093/ecam/nep085 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. BL23, BL24, BL25, BL26, BL31, BL32, BL33, BL34, GB30 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.3831/KPI.2025.28.4.269 ↗

Protocol (19 points)

100%

ST04 · ST36 · SP13 · SP14 · BL23 · BL24 · BL25 · BL37 · BL40 · GB12 · GB26 · GB30 · GB34 · GB41 · GV03 · GV04 · GV05 · GV24 · GV26

Disability Low BackLow Back Chronic Pain
Point 1 of 19

ST04Earth Granary

ST04 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Stomach Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 地倉 (dì cāng)

🎯 Location: Lateral to the corner of the mouth directly below pupil.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution with facial nerve.

🛡️ Treats: Pain, Facial Droop, Channel Stagnation, Voice Loss, Toothache

Study-reported

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1186/1471-2474-11-118 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. ST36, BL23, BL24, BL25, GB30, GB34, 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:10.1016/j.imr.2025.101204 ↗
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Back Pain
The most-searched complaint on AcuiQ. Four conditions, every point illustrated. – $5, free updates for life

Using Acupoints for Back Pain

Self-Treatment Guidelines

  • Locate acupoints using anatomical landmarks
  • Apply firm, steady pressure for 1-3 minutes
  • Treat 2-3 times daily for best results

When to Seek Professional Help

  • Severe or persistent Back Pain
  • Symptoms worsen despite treatment
  • If you have underlying health conditions

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