Acupuncture Points for Bloating

29 sourced protocols, each with its citation.

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Points cited for Bloating

How often each point appears across the 29 entries ranked highest for Bloating. Citation frequency, not a recommendation.

  • ST36Leg Three MilesStomach Meridian17 of 29
  • CV12Stomach CentreConception Vessel13 of 29
  • PC06Inner GatePericardium Meridian13 of 29
  • ST25Celestial PivotStomach Meridian11 of 29
  • LV03Great SurgeLiver Meridian7 of 29
  • CV17Chest CentreConception Vessel6 of 29
  • ST37Upper Great HollowStomach Meridian6 of 29
  • SP06Three Yin IntersectionSpleen Meridian4 of 29
  • BL21Stomach Shu PointBladder Meridian3 of 29
  • LI04Junction ValleyLarge Intestine Meridian3 of 29
  • LI11Pond At The BendLarge Intestine Meridian3 of 29
  • SP04Grandfather GrandsonSpleen Meridian3 of 29

Each card names its evidence kind. What these labels mean

Protocol (2 points)

60%

ST36 · PC06

Point 1 of 2

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

Study-reported

Electrical stimulation on the skin

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1111/nmo.70184 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. ST36, PC06 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1186/1745-6215-15-89 ↗

Protocol (4 points)

55%

LI04 · ST36 · SP06 · LV03

Point 1 of 4

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 · 10 sessions over 10 weeks

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1186/1471-230X-12-150 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI04, ST36, LV03 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1186/1745-6215-15-89 ↗

Protocol (2 points)

55%

ST25 · ST37

Point 1 of 2

ST25Celestial Pivot

ST25 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Stomach Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 天樞 (tiān shū)

🎯 Location: 2 thumb widths lateral to the center of the umbilicus.

⚠️ Cautions: Acute appendicitis is a surgical emergency – treatment here is adjunctive at most and must never delay surgical assessment. Avoid needling over the gravid uterus after the first trimester; where used in pregnancy, needle shallowly and only on a clear obstetric indication.

🛡️ Treats: Poor Appetite, Diarrhea, Constipation, Vomiting, Abdominal Bloating

Study-reported

a 4-week course

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1155/2015/361786 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. ST25, ST37 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.13702/j.1000-0607.20230690 ↗

Protocol (4 points)

53%

ST34 · ST36 · ST40 · ST42

Point 1 of 4

ST34Ridge Mound

ST34 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Stomach Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 梁丘 (liáng qiū)

🎯 Location: When knee is flexed point is 2 thumb widths above the laterosuperior border of the patella.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution with depth.

🛡️ Treats: Knee Pain, Wind, Numbness, Leg Pain, Pain

Study-reported

Needling · 20 sessions over 4 weeks

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1186/1745-6215-10-75 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. ST34, ST36 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1155/2012/543943 ↗

Protocol (4 points)

53%

ST32 · ST33 · ST35 · ST38

Point 1 of 4

ST32Crouching Rabbit

ST32 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Stomach Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 伏兔 (fú tù)

🎯 Location: On the line connecting asis and lateral border of the patella 6 thumb widths above the laterosuperior border of the patella.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Knee Pain, Common Cold, Pain, Lower Back Pain, Channel Stagnation

Study-reported

Needling · 20 sessions over 4 weeks

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1186/1745-6215-10-75 ↗
Not corroborated. No other study in the index uses any of these points for this search.

Protocol (2 points)

53%

BL21 · CV12

Point 1 of 2

BL21Stomach Shu Point

BL21 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 胃俞 (wèi yú)

🎯 Location: 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the du mai at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 12th thoracic vertebra.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep perpendicular needling.

🛡️ Treats: Chest Pain, Poor Appetite, Diarrhea, Jaundice, Vomiting

Study-reported

Needling · 20 sessions over 4 weeks

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1186/1745-6215-10-75 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. BL21, CV12 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1155/2012/543943 ↗
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How the studies delivered it

What the 16 studies behind the entries above ran, counted once per study. A record of the trials, not a recommendation.

  • Needling9 of 16
  • Electroacupuncture4 of 16
  • Electrical stimulation on the skin1 of 16

Sessions: the 8 studies that gave a count ran a median of 14 (middle half 10 to 17).

Course: the 11 studies that gave a length ran a median of 4 weeks (middle half 4 weeks to 29 days).

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

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