Acupuncture Points for Chest Pain

27 sourced protocols, each with its citation.

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Related symptoms

Often treated alongside Chest Pain:

Points cited for Chest Pain

How often each point appears across the 28 entries ranked highest for Chest Pain. Citation frequency, not a recommendation.

  • PC06Inner GatePericardium Meridian19 of 28
  • ST36Leg Three MilesStomach Meridian11 of 28
  • CV17Chest CentreConception Vessel9 of 28
  • HT07Spirit GateHeart Meridian7 of 28
  • LI04Junction ValleyLarge Intestine Meridian6 of 28
  • ST40Abundant BulgeStomach Meridian6 of 28
  • CV12Stomach CentreConception Vessel5 of 28
  • PC04Cleft GatePericardium Meridian5 of 28
  • BL15Heart Shu PointBladder Meridian4 of 28
  • BL17Diaphragm Shu PointBladder Meridian4 of 28
  • PC07Great MoundPericardium Meridian4 of 28
  • BL13Lung Shu PointBladder Meridian3 of 28

Each card names its evidence kind. What these labels mean

Protocol (2 points)

100%

PC06 · LV03

Point 1 of 2

PC06Inner Gate

PC06 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Pericardium Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 內關 (nèi guān)

🎯 Location: 2 thumb widths above the transverse crease of the wrist between tendons of the palmaris longus and flexor carpi radialis.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution in severe deficiency conditions.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Diarrhea, Anxiety, Dizziness, Spleen Qi Deficiency

LV03Great Surge

LV03 acupoint
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🗺️ 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

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1016/s0254-6272(09)60083-2 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. PC06, LV03 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1177/09645284211055754 ↗

Protocol (6 points)

100%

LI04 · ST08 · SI06 · BL60 · GB08 · GV20

Point 1 of 6

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

ST08Head Corner

ST08 acupoint
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🗺️ 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

SI06Support The Aged

SI06 acupoint
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🗺️ 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

BL60Kunlun (Mountains)

BL60 acupoint
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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

GB08Leading Valley

GB08 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Gallbladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 率谷 (shuài gǔ)

🎯 Location: Superior to the apex of the auricle 1.5 thumb widths within the hairline.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications for head points.

🛡️ Treats: Phlegm, Dizziness, Vomiting, Wind, Pain

GV20100 Convergences

GV20 acupoint
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🗺️ 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

Needling · 1 session

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1155/2013/219817 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. GB08 also appears in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.7453/gahmj.2014.034 ↗

Protocol (6 points)

100%

ST34 · ST44 · SP10 · KD03 · PC06 · LV02

Point 1 of 6

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

ST44Inner Court

ST44 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Stomach Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 內庭 (nèi tíng)

🎯 Location: Proximal to the web margin the between 2nd and 3rd toes in the depression the distal and lateral to the 2nd metatarsodigital joint.

⚠️ Cautions: Anticoagulant therapy or a coagulopathy raises the risk of haematoma at the needling site – apply prolonged pressure on withdrawal. The precaution governs technique; bleeding disorders remain a treatable indication.

🛡️ Treats: Diarrhea, Tinnitus, Common Cold, Constipation, Abdominal Pain

SP10Sea Of Blood

SP10 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Spleen Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 血海 (xuè hǎi)

🎯 Location: When knee is flexed point is 2 thumb widths above the mediosuperior border of the patella on the bulge of the medial portion of the quadriceps femoris.

⚠️ Cautions: Anticoagulant therapy or a coagulopathy raises the risk of haematoma at the needling site – apply prolonged pressure on withdrawal. The precaution governs technique; bleeding disorders remain a treatable indication.

🛡️ Treats: Knee Pain, Absent Periods, Blood Stagnation, Pain, Hives

KD03Great Stream

KD03 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Kidney Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 太谿 (tài xī)

🎯 Location: In the depression the between tip of the medial malleolus and achilles tendon.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Chest Pain, Shortness of Breath, Heat Deficiency, Asthma

PC06Inner Gate

PC06 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Pericardium Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 內關 (nèi guān)

🎯 Location: 2 thumb widths above the transverse crease of the wrist between tendons of the palmaris longus and flexor carpi radialis.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution in severe deficiency conditions.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Diarrhea, Anxiety, Dizziness, Spleen Qi Deficiency

LV02Passing Between

LV02 acupoint
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🗺️ 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

Study-reported

Needling · 1 session

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1155/2013/219817 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. SP10, PC06 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1016/s0254-6272(11)60042-3 ↗

Protocol (4 points)

100%

GB08 · GB09 · GV23 · GV24

Point 1 of 4

GB08Leading Valley

GB08 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Gallbladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 率谷 (shuài gǔ)

🎯 Location: Superior to the apex of the auricle 1.5 thumb widths within the hairline.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications for head points.

🛡️ Treats: Phlegm, Dizziness, Vomiting, Wind, Pain

GB09Heavenly Surge

GB09 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Gallbladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 天衝 (tiān chōng)

🎯 Location: Directly above the posterior border of the auricle 2 thumb widths within the hairline about 0.5 thumb widths posterior to the GB08.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications for head points.

🛡️ Treats: Anxiety, Tinnitus, Palpitations, Swelling, Epilepsy

GV23Upper Star

GV23 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Governing Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 上星 (shàng xīng)

🎯 Location: 1 thumb width directly above the midpoint of the anterior hairline.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Depression, Wind, Redness, Swelling, Malaria

GV24Spirit Court

GV24 acupoint
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🗺️ 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

Needling + Electroacupuncture · 6 sessions

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.7453/gahmj.2014.034 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. GB08 also appears in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1155/2013/219817 ↗

Protocol (9 points)

100%

LU06 · LU09 · ST36 · ST40 · HT05 · HT07 · BL15 · PC06 · CV17

Point 1 of 9

LU06Collection Hole

LU06 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Lung Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 孔最 (kǒng zuì)

🎯 Location: On the palmar aspect of the forearm on the line joining LU09 and LU05 7 thumb widths above the transverse crease of the wrist.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution in cases of local inflammation or skin conditions.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Chest Pain, Asthma, Coughing Blood, Heat

LU09Great Source

LU09 acupoint
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🗺️ 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

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

ST40Abundant Bulge

ST40 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Stomach Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 豐隆 (fēng lóng)

🎯 Location: 8 thumb widths superior to the tip of the external malleolus, lateral to the ST38 about 2 finger breadth (middle finger) lateral to the anterior border of the tibia.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Chest Pain, Shortness of Breath, Phlegm, Asthma

HT05Inward Connection

HT05 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Heart Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 通里 (tōng lǐ)

🎯 Location: When palm faces upward point is on the radial side of the tendon of the flexor carpi ulnaris, 1 thumb width above the transverse crease of the wrist.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Dizziness, Palpitations, Qi Deficiency, Depression, Chest Fullness

HT07Spirit Gate

HT07 acupoint
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🗺️ 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

BL15Heart Shu Point

BL15 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 心俞 (xīn shū)

🎯 Location: 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the GV11 at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 5th thoracic vertebra.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep perpendicular needling – risk of pneumothorax. New, worsening or unstable cardiac symptoms need medical assessment before treatment.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Chest Pain, Anxiety, Sweating, Coughing Blood

PC06Inner Gate

PC06 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Pericardium Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 內關 (nèi guān)

🎯 Location: 2 thumb widths above the transverse crease of the wrist between tendons of the palmaris longus and flexor carpi radialis.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution in severe deficiency conditions.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Diarrhea, Anxiety, Dizziness, Spleen Qi Deficiency

CV17Chest Centre

CV17 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Conception Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 膻中 (dàn zhōng)

🎯 Location: On the anterior midline at the level with 4th intercostal space, midway between nipples.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep needling – needle transversely along the sternum. New, worsening or unstable cardiac symptoms need medical assessment before treatment.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Chest Pain, Shortness of Breath, Asthma, Chest Fullness

Study-reported

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1155/2020/1931839 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. ST36, HT05, HT07, BL15, PC06, CV17 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.3727/036012913x13831831849457 ↗

Protocol (2 points)

100%

PC04 · PC06

Point 1 of 2

PC04Cleft Gate

PC04 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Pericardium Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 郄門 (xì mén)

🎯 Location: 5 thumb widths above the transverse crease of the wrist on the line connecting PC03 and PC07 between tendons of the palmaris longus and flexor carpi radialis.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Chest Pain, Anxiety, Coughing Blood, Vomiting, Blood Stagnation

PC06Inner Gate

PC06 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Pericardium Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 內關 (nèi guān)

🎯 Location: 2 thumb widths above the transverse crease of the wrist between tendons of the palmaris longus and flexor carpi radialis.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution in severe deficiency conditions.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Diarrhea, Anxiety, Dizziness, Spleen Qi Deficiency

Study-reported

Electroacupuncture · 12 sessions over 2 weeks

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1155/2021/6634404 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. PC04, PC06 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1177/09645284211055754 ↗
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Registered, results not reported

These trials registered a protocol for Chest Pain and have not reported results. They are not counted above.

LU07 · LI04 · ST36 · TB05 · GB34 · GB36 – doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000025667

How the studies delivered it

What the 19 studies behind the entries above ran, counted once per study. A record of the trials, not a recommendation.

  • Needling5 of 19
  • Electroacupuncture4 of 19
  • Acupressure3 of 19
  • Press needles1 of 19
  • Moxibustion1 of 19
  • Thread embedding1 of 19

Sessions: the 9 studies that gave a count ran a median of 6 (middle half 1 to 12).

Course: the 10 studies that gave a length ran a median of 12 days (middle half 2 days to 4 weeks).

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

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