Acupuncture Points for Cervical Pain

11 sourced protocols, each with its citation.

Each card names its evidence kind. What these labels mean

Protocol (7 points)

100%

ST08 · BL04 · BL10 · GB12 · GB20 · GV16 · GV24

ST08Head Corner

ST08 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Stomach Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 頭維 (tóu wéi)

🎯 Location: On the lateral side of the head, 0.5 thumb widths above the anterior hairline at the corner of the forehead & 4.5 thumb widths lateral to the midline of the head.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Shortness of Breath, Dizziness, Vomiting, Wind

BL04Deviating Turn

BL04 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 曲差 (qū chā)

🎯 Location: 0.5 thumb widths directly above the midpoint of the anterior hairline and 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the midline at the junction of the medial 1/3 and lateral 2/3 of the distance from GV24 to the ST08.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Shortness of Breath, Heat, Nasal Congestion, Agitation, Nosebleed

BL10Celestial Pillar

BL10 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 天柱 (tiān zhù)

🎯 Location: 1.3 thumb widths lateral to the midpoint of the posterior hairline and in the depression on the lateral aspect of the trapezius.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution with vertebral artery.

🛡️ Treats: Dizziness, Wind, Pain, Epilepsy, Nasal Congestion

GB12Mastoid Process

GB12 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ 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

GB20Wind Pool

GB20 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Gallbladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 風池 (fēng chí)

🎯 Location: In the depression the between upper portion of the scm and trapezius on the same level with GV16.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution with vertebral artery; avoid deep perpendicular needling.

🛡️ Treats: Stress, Fever, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Wind

GV16Wind Mansion

GV16 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Governing Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 風府 (fēng fǔ)

🎯 Location: 1 thumb width directly above the midpoint of the posterior hairline directly below external occipital protuberance in the depression the between trapezius of the both sides.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution; proximity to foramen magnum.

🛡️ Treats: Stress, Heat Chest, Anxiety, Sweating, Dizziness

GV24Spirit Court

GV24 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Governing Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 神庭 (shén tíng)

🎯 Location: 0.5 thumb widths directly above the midpoint of the anterior hairline.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Shortness of Breath, Dizziness, Palpitations, Depression

Study-reported

Did better than another treatment

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1016/s0254-6272(08)60040-0 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. GB20 also appears in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000039483 ↗

Protocol (24 points)

100%

LU05 · LU09 · LI02 · LI11 · ST41 · ST45 · SP02 · SP05 · HT07 · HT09 · SI03 · SI08 · BL65 · BL67 · KD01 · KD07 · PC07 · PC09 · TB03 · TB10 · GB38 · GB43 · LV02 · LV08

LU05Cubit Marsh

LU05 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Lung Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 尺澤 (chǐ zé)

🎯 Location: On the cubital crease in the depression of the radial side of the biceps brachii tendon; point is located with elbow slightly flexed.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid in cases of severe vascular disease; caution with depth at cubital fossa.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Diarrhea, Shortness of Breath, Asthma, Knee Pain

LU09Great Source

LU09 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Lung Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 太淵 (tài yuān)

🎯 Location: At the radial end of the transverse crease of the wrist in the depression on the lateral side of the radial artery.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution in patients with cardiac arrhythmias; avoid excessive stimulation.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Shortness of Breath, Asthma, Coughing Blood, Common Cold

LI02Second Space

LI02 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Large Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 二間 (èr jiān)

🎯 Location: In the depression of the radial side of the index finger distal to the 2nd metacarpophalangeal joint; point located with finger slightly flexed.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution in local skin infections.

🛡️ Treats: Tinnitus, Common Cold, Shoulder Pain, Pain, Deviation Eye

LI11Pond At The Bend

LI11 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ 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

ST41Dividing Cleft

ST41 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Stomach Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 解谿 (jiě xī)

🎯 Location: On the dorsum of the foot at the midpoint of the transverse crease of the ankle joint in the depression the between tendons of the extensor digitorum longus and hallucis longus approximately at the level of the tip of the external malleolus.

⚠️ Cautions: Rule out fracture, dislocation and joint instability before needling, and do not needle into an acutely swollen joint or a haemarthrosis.

🛡️ Treats: Knee Pain, Dizziness, Palpitations, Constipation, Abdominal Bloating

ST45Running Point

ST45 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Stomach Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 厲兌 (lì duì)

🎯 Location: On the lateral side of the 2nd toe 0.1 thumb width posterior to the corner of the nail.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid in patients with bleeding disorders or diabetes.

🛡️ Treats: Poor Appetite, Knee Pain, Dizziness, Jaundice, Heat

SP02Great Capital

SP02 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Spleen Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 大都 (dà dū)

🎯 Location: On the medial side of the great the toe distal and inferior to the 1st metatarsodigital joint in the depression of the junction of the red and white skin.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Diarrhea, Constipation, Heat, Vomiting, Abdominal Bloating

SP05Metal Hill

SP05 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Spleen Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 商丘 (shāng qiū)

🎯 Location: In the depression the distal and inferior to the medial malleolus midway between tuberosity of the navicular bone and tip of the medial malleolus.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Fever, Jaundice, Common Cold, Constipation

HT07Spirit Gate

HT07 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ 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

HT09Lesser Surge

HT09 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Heart Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 少衝 (shào chōng)

🎯 Location: On the radial side of the little finger about 0.1 thumb width from corner of the nail.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid in patients with bleeding disorders.

🛡️ Treats: Chest Pain, Palpitations, Jaundice, Qi Deficiency, Heat

SI03Back Stream

SI03 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Small Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 後谿 (hòu xī)

🎯 Location: When loose fist is made point is on the ulnar end of the distal palmar crease proximal to the 5th metacarpophalangeal joint at the end of the transverse crease and junction of the red and white skin.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Knee Pain, Tinnitus, Jaundice, Common Cold

SI08Small Sea

SI08 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Small Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 小海 (xiǎo hǎi)

🎯 Location: When elbow is flexed point is located in the depression the between olecranon of the ulna and medial epicondyle of the humerus.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution with ulnar nerve.

🛡️ Treats: Chest Pain, Palpitations, Jaundice, Qi Deficiency, Heat

BL65Restraining Bone

BL65 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 束骨 (shù gǔ)

🎯 Location: Posterior to the 5th metatarsophalangeal joint at the junction of the red and white skin.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Diarrhea, Heat, Depression, Back Pain

BL67Reaching Yin

BL67 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 至陰 (zhì yīn)

🎯 Location: On the lateral side of the small toe about 0.1 thumb width from corner of the nail.

⚠️ 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: Chest Pain, Tinnitus, Deafness, Labour Prolonged, Labour Delayed

KD01Bubbling Spring

KD01 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Kidney Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 湧泉 (yǒng quán)

🎯 Location: On the sole in the depression the when foot is in the plantar flexion the approximately at the junction of the anterior 1/3 and posterior 2/3 of the line connecting base of the 2nd and 3rd toes and heel.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid in patients with severe deficiency conditions.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Anxiety, Shortness of Breath, Dizziness, Coughing Blood

KD07Returning Flow

KD07 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Kidney Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 復溜 (fù liū)

🎯 Location: 2 thumb widths directly above the KD03 on the anterior border of the achilles tendon.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Chest Fullness, Damp, Edema, Cough Pus

PC07Great Mound

PC07 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Pericardium Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 大陵 (dà líng)

🎯 Location: In the middle of the transverse crease of the wrist between tendons of the palmaris longus and flexor carpi radialis.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Chest Pain, Fever, Anxiety, Palpitations, Jaundice

PC09Central Surge

PC09 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Pericardium Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 中衝 (zhōng chōng)

🎯 Location: In the center of the tip of the middle finger.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid in patients with bleeding disorders.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Diarrhea, Tinnitus, Heat, Vomiting

TB03Central Islet

TB03 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Triple Burner Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 中渚 (zhōng zhǔ)

🎯 Location: When fist is clenched point is on the dorsum of the hand between 4th and 5th metacarpal bones in the depression the proximal to the 4th metacarpophalangeal joint.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Heat, Redness

TB10Heavenly Well

TB10 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Triple Burner Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 天井 (tiān jǐng)

🎯 Location: When elbow is flexed point is in the depression the about 1 thumb width superior to the olecranon.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Fever, Phlegm, Sweating, Palpitations

GB38Yang Assistance

GB38 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Gallbladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 陽輔 (yáng fǔ)

🎯 Location: 4 thumb widths above the tip of the external malleolus slightly anterior to the anterior border of the fibula, between extensor digitorum longus and peroneus brevis.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Chest Pain, Fever, Sweating, Common Cold, Numbness

GB43Narrow Stream

GB43 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Gallbladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 俠谿 (xiá xī)

🎯 Location: On the dorsum of the foot between 4th and 5th toe proximal to the margin of the web at the junction of the red and white skin.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Chest Pain, Knee Pain, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Heat

LV02Passing Between

LV02 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Liver Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 行間 (xíng jiān)

🎯 Location: On the dorsum of the foot between 1st and 2nd toe proximal to the margin of the web at the junction of the red and white skin.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Chest Pain, Diarrhea, Anxiety, Dizziness, Coughing Blood

LV08Spring At The Bend

LV08 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Liver Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 曲泉 (qū quán)

🎯 Location: When knee is flexed point is at the medial end of the transverse popliteal crease posterior to the medial epicondyle of the tibia in the depression of the anterior border of the insertions of the semimembranosus and semitendinosus.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Shortness of Breath, Knee Pain, Common Cold, Heat, Abdominal Pain

Study-reported

Acupressure

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1155/2015/802846 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. SI03 also appears in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1177/0964528420961398 ↗
Press Needles
1 box, $19.99

Protocol (6 points)

100%

LI04 · ST29 · SP12 · BL27 · KD11 · LV03

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

ST29Return

ST29 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Stomach Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 歸來 (guī lái)

🎯 Location: 4 thumb widths below umbilicus 2 thumb widths lateral to the CV03.

⚠️ 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: Absent Periods, Swelling, Pain, Uterine Prolapse, Infertility

SP12Surging Gate

SP12 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Spleen Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 衝門 (chōng mén)

🎯 Location: Superior to the lateral end of the inguinal groove lateral to the pulsating femoral artery at the level of the upper border of the pubis symphasis, 3.5 thumb widths lateral to the CV02.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Heat, Abdominal Pain, Blood Stagnation, Pain, Urinary Retention

BL27Small Intestine Shu Point

BL27 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 小腸俞 (xiǎo cháng shū)

🎯 Location: 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the du mai at the level of the 1st posterior sacral foramen.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep perpendicular needling.

🛡️ Treats: Diarrhea, Constipation, Dysentery, Urinary Retention, Hemorrhoids

KD11Pubic Bone

KD11 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Kidney Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 橫骨 (héng gǔ)

🎯 Location: 5 thumb widths below umbilicus on the superior border of the symphysis pubis 0.5 thumb widths lateral to the CV02.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid needling over the gravid uterus after the first trimester; where used in pregnancy, needle shallowly and only on a clear obstetric indication.

🛡️ Treats: Abdominal Pain, Rectal Prolapse, Uterine Prolapse, Urinary Retention, Benefit Digestion

LV03Great Surge

LV03 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Liver Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 太衝 (tài chōng)

🎯 Location: On the dorsum of the foot in the depression the distal to the junction of the 1st and 2nd metatarsal bones.

⚠️ Cautions: Monitor blood pressure and avoid strong stimulation where hypertension is uncontrolled or unstable; hypertensive crisis is a medical emergency.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Diarrhea, Anxiety, Shortness of Breath, Sweating

Study-reported

Needling

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1136/acupmed-2016-011164 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI04 also appears in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1177/0964528420961398 ↗
Press Needles
1 box, $19.99

Protocol (15 points)

100%

LU01 · LU03 · LU04 · LU11 · LI14 · LI15 · LI16 · ST38 · SI09 · SI10 · SI11 · SI12 · SI13 · SI14 · SI15

LU01Central Mansion

LU01 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ 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

LU03Celestial Storehouse

LU03 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Lung Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 天府 (tiān fǔ)

🎯 Location: On the medial aspect of the upper arm 3 thumb widths below end of the axillary fold on the radial side of the biceps. brachii.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep needling; caution near brachial artery.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Shortness of Breath, Asthma, Dizziness, Coughing Blood

LU04Guarding White

LU04 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Lung Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 俠白 (xiá bái)

🎯 Location: On the medial aspect of the upper arm 4 thumb widths below anterior end of the axillary fold or 5 thumb widths above the cubital crease on the radial side of the biceps brachii.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution with depth to avoid damaging blood vessels.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Shortness of Breath, Asthma, Palpitations, Retching

LU11Lesser Metal

LU11 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Lung Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 少商 (shào shāng)

🎯 Location: On the radial side of the thumb about 0.1 thumb width posterior to the corner of the nail.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid in patients with bleeding disorders; caution with depth.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Shortness of Breath, Sweating, Common Cold, Heat

LI14Upper Arm Prominence

LI14 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Large Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 臂臑 (bì nào)

🎯 Location: On the lateral side of the upper arm on the line connecting LI11 and LI15, 7 thumb widths above the LI11 at the insertion of the deltoid muscle.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution with depth to avoid nerve damage.

🛡️ Treats: Chest Pain, Redness, Swelling, Pain, Goiter

LI15Shoulder And Clavicle

LI15 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Large Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 肩髃 (jiān yú)

🎯 Location: Anteroinferior to the acromion on the upper portion of the deltoid muscle; when arm is in the full abduction the point is in the depression the appearing at the anterior border of the acromioclavicular joint.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep perpendicular needling due to risk of pneumothorax; caution in shoulder injuries.

🛡️ Treats: Wind, Shoulder Pain, Pain, Goiter, Hemiplegia

LI16Great Bone

LI16 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Large Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 巨骨 (jù gǔ)

🎯 Location: In the upper aspect of the shoulder in the depression the between acromial extremity of the clavicle and scapular spine.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep perpendicular needling due to risk of pneumothorax.

🛡️ Treats: Back Pain, Shoulder Pain, Pain, Epilepsy, Goiter

ST38Ribbon Opening

ST38 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Stomach Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 條口 (tiáo kǒu)

🎯 Location: 8 thumb widths below ST35, 1 finger breadth (middle finger) from anterior border of the tibia.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Common Cold, Abdominal Pain, Numbness, Swelling, Pain

SI09True Shoulder

SI09 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Small Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 肩貞 (jiān zhēn)

🎯 Location: Posterior and inferior to the shoulder joint; when arm is adducted point is 1 thumb width above the posterior end of the axillary fold.

⚠️ Cautions: Rule out fracture, dislocation and joint instability before needling, and do not needle into an acutely swollen joint or a haemarthrosis.

🛡️ Treats: Tinnitus, Wind, Numbness, Shoulder Blade Pain, Shoulder Pain

SI10Upper Arm Shu Point

SI10 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Small Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 臑俞 (nào shū)

🎯 Location: When arm is adducted, point is directly above the posterior end of the axillary fold in the depression the inferior to the scapular spine.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Shoulder Pain, Pain, Chills, Arm Pain

SI11Heavenly Gathering

SI11 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Small Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 天宗 (tiān zōng)

🎯 Location: On the scapula in the depression of the center of the subscapular fossa and at the level of the 4th thoracic vertebra.

⚠️ Cautions: Rule out fracture, dislocation and joint instability before needling, and do not needle into an acutely swollen joint or a haemarthrosis.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Qi Stagnation, Chest Fullness, Elbow Pain, Shoulder Blade Pain

SI12Grasping The Wind

SI12 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Small Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 秉風 (bǐng fēng)

🎯 Location: In the center of the suprascapular fossa directly above the SI11; when arm is lifted point is at the site of the depression.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Wind, Benefit Shoulders, Benefit Scapula, Benefit Shoulders, Benefit Scapula

SI13Crooked Wall

SI13 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Small Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 曲垣 (qū yuán)

🎯 Location: On the medial extremity of the suprascapular fossa about midway between SI10 and spinous process of the 2nd thoracic vertebra.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Shoulder Pain, Contraction Shoulder, Benefit Shoulders, Benefit Scapula, Oppression Shoulder Sensation

SI14Outer Shoulder Point

SI14 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Small Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 肩外俞 (jiān wài shū)

🎯 Location: 3 thumb widths lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the 1st thoracic vertebra where GV13 is located.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep perpendicular needling; risk of pneumothorax.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Wind, Shoulder Blade Pain, Shoulder Pain, Pain

SI15Middle Shoulder Point

SI15 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Small Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 肩中俞 (jiān zhōng shū)

🎯 Location: 2 thumb widths lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the 7th cervical vertebra (GV14).

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep perpendicular needling; risk of pneumothorax.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Fever, Shoulder Blade Pain, Shoulder Pain, Pain

Study-reported

Needling + Point injection · 20 sessions

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.3831/KPI.2021.24.4.206 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. SI09, SI10, SI11, SI12, SI13, SI14, SI15 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1177/0964528420961398 ↗
Press Needles
300 needles for this course · 3 boxes, $59.97

Protocol (5 points)

100%

SI04 · SI11 · SI15 · GB20 · GB21

SI04Wrist Bone

SI04 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Small Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 腕骨 (wàn gǔ)

🎯 Location: On the ulnar side of the palm in the depression the between base of the 5th metacarpal bone and hamate bone.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Tinnitus, Jaundice, Heat, Spleen Deficiency

SI11Heavenly Gathering

SI11 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Small Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 天宗 (tiān zōng)

🎯 Location: On the scapula in the depression of the center of the subscapular fossa and at the level of the 4th thoracic vertebra.

⚠️ Cautions: Rule out fracture, dislocation and joint instability before needling, and do not needle into an acutely swollen joint or a haemarthrosis.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Qi Stagnation, Chest Fullness, Elbow Pain, Shoulder Blade Pain

SI15Middle Shoulder Point

SI15 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Small Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 肩中俞 (jiān zhōng shū)

🎯 Location: 2 thumb widths lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the 7th cervical vertebra (GV14).

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep perpendicular needling; risk of pneumothorax.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Fever, Shoulder Blade Pain, Shoulder Pain, Pain

GB20Wind Pool

GB20 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Gallbladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 風池 (fēng chí)

🎯 Location: In the depression the between upper portion of the scm and trapezius on the same level with GV16.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution with vertebral artery; avoid deep perpendicular needling.

🛡️ Treats: Stress, Fever, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Wind

GB21Shoulder Well

GB21 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Gallbladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 肩井 (jiān jǐng)

🎯 Location: On the shoulder directly above the nipple at the midpoint of the line connecting GV14 and acromion the at the highest point of the shoulder.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep needling – risk of pneumothorax. 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, Phlegm, Kidney Deficiency, Depression

Study-reported

Electroacupuncture

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000039483 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. SI11, SI15, GB20, GB21 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1177/0964528420961398 ↗

Protocol (16 points)

100%

LI04 · SI03 · SI06 · SI09 · SI10 · SI11 · SI12 · SI13 · SI14 · SI15 · BL60 · GB19 · GB20 · GB21 · GB34 · GV20

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

SI03Back Stream

SI03 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Small Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 後谿 (hòu xī)

🎯 Location: When loose fist is made point is on the ulnar end of the distal palmar crease proximal to the 5th metacarpophalangeal joint at the end of the transverse crease and junction of the red and white skin.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Knee Pain, Tinnitus, Jaundice, Common Cold

SI06Support The Aged

SI06 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Small Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 養老 (yǎng lǎo)

🎯 Location: Dorsal to the head of the ulna; when palm face chest point is in the bonny cleft on the radial side of the styloid process of the ulna.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Back Pain, Shoulder Pain, Pain, Lower Back Pain, Channel Stagnation

SI09True Shoulder

SI09 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Small Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 肩貞 (jiān zhēn)

🎯 Location: Posterior and inferior to the shoulder joint; when arm is adducted point is 1 thumb width above the posterior end of the axillary fold.

⚠️ Cautions: Rule out fracture, dislocation and joint instability before needling, and do not needle into an acutely swollen joint or a haemarthrosis.

🛡️ Treats: Tinnitus, Wind, Numbness, Shoulder Blade Pain, Shoulder Pain

SI10Upper Arm Shu Point

SI10 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Small Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 臑俞 (nào shū)

🎯 Location: When arm is adducted, point is directly above the posterior end of the axillary fold in the depression the inferior to the scapular spine.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Shoulder Pain, Pain, Chills, Arm Pain

SI11Heavenly Gathering

SI11 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Small Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 天宗 (tiān zōng)

🎯 Location: On the scapula in the depression of the center of the subscapular fossa and at the level of the 4th thoracic vertebra.

⚠️ Cautions: Rule out fracture, dislocation and joint instability before needling, and do not needle into an acutely swollen joint or a haemarthrosis.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Qi Stagnation, Chest Fullness, Elbow Pain, Shoulder Blade Pain

SI12Grasping The Wind

SI12 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Small Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 秉風 (bǐng fēng)

🎯 Location: In the center of the suprascapular fossa directly above the SI11; when arm is lifted point is at the site of the depression.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Wind, Benefit Shoulders, Benefit Scapula, Benefit Shoulders, Benefit Scapula

SI13Crooked Wall

SI13 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Small Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 曲垣 (qū yuán)

🎯 Location: On the medial extremity of the suprascapular fossa about midway between SI10 and spinous process of the 2nd thoracic vertebra.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Shoulder Pain, Contraction Shoulder, Benefit Shoulders, Benefit Scapula, Oppression Shoulder Sensation

SI14Outer Shoulder Point

SI14 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Small Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 肩外俞 (jiān wài shū)

🎯 Location: 3 thumb widths lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the 1st thoracic vertebra where GV13 is located.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep perpendicular needling; risk of pneumothorax.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Wind, Shoulder Blade Pain, Shoulder Pain, Pain

SI15Middle Shoulder Point

SI15 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Small Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 肩中俞 (jiān zhōng shū)

🎯 Location: 2 thumb widths lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the 7th cervical vertebra (GV14).

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep perpendicular needling; risk of pneumothorax.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Fever, Shoulder Blade Pain, Shoulder Pain, Pain

BL60Kunlun (Mountains)

BL60 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ 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

GB19Brain Hollow

GB19 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Gallbladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 腦空 (nǎo kōng)

🎯 Location: On the head and on the level of the upper border of the external occipital protuberance or GV17, 22.5 thumb widths lateral to the midline of the head.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications for head points.

🛡️ Treats: Dizziness, Tinnitus, Palpitations, Heat, Depression

GB20Wind Pool

GB20 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Gallbladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 風池 (fēng chí)

🎯 Location: In the depression the between upper portion of the scm and trapezius on the same level with GV16.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution with vertebral artery; avoid deep perpendicular needling.

🛡️ Treats: Stress, Fever, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Wind

GB21Shoulder Well

GB21 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Gallbladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 肩井 (jiān jǐng)

🎯 Location: On the shoulder directly above the nipple at the midpoint of the line connecting GV14 and acromion the at the highest point of the shoulder.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep needling – risk of pneumothorax. 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, Phlegm, Kidney Deficiency, Depression

GB34Yang Mound Spring

GB34 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ 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

GV20100 Convergences

GV20 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Governing Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 百會 (bǎi huì)

🎯 Location: On the midline of the head 5 thumb widths directly above the midpoint of the anterior hairline approximately on the midpoint of the line connecting apex of the ears.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Chest Pain, Palpitations, Jaundice, Qi Deficiency

Study-reported

Acupressure

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1177/0964528420961398 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. SI09, SI10, SI11, SI12, SI13, SI14, SI15 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.2021.24.4.206 ↗
Press Needles
1 box, $19.99
AcuiQ Self-Treatment Guide
Acupressure you can do at home, every protocol traced to a trial. – $12.99, free updates for life

Related symptoms

Often treated alongside Cervical Pain:

Points cited for Cervical Pain

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

  • GB20Wind PoolGallbladder Meridian6 of 11
  • GB21Shoulder WellGallbladder Meridian4 of 11
  • LI04Junction ValleyLarge Intestine Meridian3 of 11
  • SI11Heavenly GatheringSmall Intestine Meridian3 of 11
  • SI15Middle Shoulder PointSmall Intestine Meridian3 of 11
  • LI16Great BoneLarge Intestine Meridian2 of 11
  • SI03Back StreamSmall Intestine Meridian2 of 11
  • SI09True ShoulderSmall Intestine Meridian2 of 11
  • SI10Upper Arm Shu PointSmall Intestine Meridian2 of 11
  • SI12Grasping The WindSmall Intestine Meridian2 of 11
  • SI13Crooked WallSmall Intestine Meridian2 of 11
  • SI14Outer Shoulder PointSmall Intestine Meridian2 of 11

Tested, no effect found

These studies tested the points below for Cervical Pain and found no effect. They are not counted above.

LV05 – doi:10.1016/s0254-6272(10)60025-8 – No better than another treatment

How the studies delivered it

What the 9 studies behind the entries above ran, counted once per study. A record of the trials, not a recommendation.

  • Needling4 of 9
  • Acupressure2 of 9
  • Point injection1 of 9
  • Electroacupuncture1 of 9

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

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