Acupuncture Points for Breastfeeding Postpartum

11 sourced protocols, each with its citation.

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Related symptoms

Often treated alongside Breastfeeding Postpartum:

Points cited for Breastfeeding Postpartum

How often each point appears across the 11 entries ranked highest for Breastfeeding Postpartum. Citation frequency, not a recommendation.

  • CV17Chest CentreConception Vessel9 of 11
  • SI01Lesser MarshSmall Intestine Meridian8 of 11
  • ST18Breast RootStomach Meridian8 of 11
  • GB21Shoulder WellGallbladder Meridian5 of 11
  • SP06Three Yin IntersectionSpleen Meridian5 of 11
  • ST36Leg Three MilesStomach Meridian5 of 11
  • BL20Spleen Shu PointBladder Meridian4 of 11
  • BL21Stomach Shu PointBladder Meridian4 of 11
  • LI04Junction ValleyLarge Intestine Meridian4 of 11
  • LV03Great SurgeLiver Meridian4 of 11
  • BL18Liver Shu PointBladder Meridian3 of 11
  • CV12Stomach CentreConception Vessel3 of 11

Each card names its evidence kind. What these labels mean

Protocol (12 points)

100%

ST18 · ST36 · SP06 · SP10 · SI01 · BL20 · BL21 · PC06 · LV03 · LV14 · CV06 · CV17

Point 1 of 12

ST18Breast Root

ST18 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Stomach Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 乳根 (rǔ gēn)

🎯 Location: On the chest directly below nipple, on the lower border of the breast, in the 5th intercostal space 4 thumb widths lateral to the anterior midline.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution in lactating women; avoid direct needling in breast tissue.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Shortness of Breath, Swelling, Breast Abscess, Breast Pain

Study-reported

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.22038/ijp.2020.54458.4305 ↗

Protocol (4 points)

100%

LI04 · SI01 · GB20 · GB21

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

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.22038/ijp.2020.54458.4305 ↗

Protocol (3 points)

100%

ST18 · GB21 · CV17

Point 1 of 3

ST18Breast Root

ST18 acupoint
Click to enlarge

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🗺️ Meridian: Stomach Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 乳根 (rǔ gēn)

🎯 Location: On the chest directly below nipple, on the lower border of the breast, in the 5th intercostal space 4 thumb widths lateral to the anterior midline.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution in lactating women; avoid direct needling in breast tissue.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Shortness of Breath, Swelling, Breast Abscess, Breast Pain

Study-reported

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.22038/ijp.2020.54458.4305 ↗

Protocol (11 points)

100%

ST18 · ST36 · SI01 · BL18 · BL20 · BL21 · LV03 · LV14 · CV12 · CV17 · GV14

Point 1 of 11

ST18Breast Root

ST18 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Stomach Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 乳根 (rǔ gēn)

🎯 Location: On the chest directly below nipple, on the lower border of the breast, in the 5th intercostal space 4 thumb widths lateral to the anterior midline.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution in lactating women; avoid direct needling in breast tissue.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Shortness of Breath, Swelling, Breast Abscess, Breast Pain

Study-reported

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.22038/ijp.2020.54458.4305 ↗

Protocol (6 points)

100%

LI04 · LI11 · ST18 · SI01 · CV12 · CV17

Point 1 of 6

LI04Junction Valley

LI04 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ 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:10.22038/ijp.2020.54458.4305 ↗

Protocol (12 points)

100%

LU01 · LI04 · ST17 · ST18 · SP20 · SI01 · BL17 · BL18 · BL20 · BL21 · GB21 · CV17

Point 1 of 12

LU01Central Mansion

LU01 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Lung Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 中府 (zhōng fǔ)

🎯 Location: Laterosuperior to the sternum 1 thumb width below LU02 at the level of the 1st intercostal space 6 thumb widths lateral to the anterior midline.

⚠️ Cautions: Needle obliquely or laterally, never deeply or medially – risk of pneumothorax.

🛡️ Treats: Heat Chest, Cough, Chest Pain, Fever, Shortness of Breath

Study-reported

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.22038/ijp.2020.54458.4305 ↗
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How the studies delivered it

None of the studies behind these entries says how the points were stimulated or for how long.

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

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