Acupuncture Points for Chronic Migraine

4 sourced protocols, each with its citation.

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Related symptoms

Often treated alongside Chronic Migraine:

Points cited for Chronic Migraine

How often each point appears across the 4 entries ranked highest for Chronic Migraine. Citation frequency, not a recommendation.

  • GB08Leading ValleyGallbladder Meridian3 of 4
  • GB20Wind PoolGallbladder Meridian3 of 4
  • GV20100 ConvergencesGoverning Vessel3 of 4
  • GV24Spirit CourtGoverning Vessel3 of 4
  • LI04Junction ValleyLarge Intestine Meridian3 of 4
  • LV03Great SurgeLiver Meridian3 of 4
  • ST36Leg Three MilesStomach Meridian3 of 4
  • BL10Celestial PillarBladder Meridian2 of 4
  • CV04Original Qi GateConception Vessel2 of 4
  • CV06Sea Of QiConception Vessel2 of 4
  • CV12Stomach CentreConception Vessel2 of 4
  • GB04Forehead FullnessGallbladder Meridian2 of 4

Each card names its evidence kind. What these labels mean

Protocol (24 points)

100%

LI04 · ST25 · ST28 · ST36 · ST40 · SP09 · SI03 · BL10 · TB05 · TB17 · GB04 · GB08 · GB15 · GB18 · GB20 · GB34 · GB41 · GB43 · LV03 · CV04 · CV06 · CV12 · GV20 · GV24

Point 1 of 24

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 + Electroacupuncture · 48 sessions over 24 weeks

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e30417 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. GB08, GB20, LV03, GV20, GV24 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.3389/fneur.2025.1647966 ↗

Protocol (12 points)

100%

PC06 · GB08 · GB13 · GB20 · LV03 · GV20 · GV24 · XH01A · XH01B · XH01C · XH01D · XH03

Point 1 of 12

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

Needling

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.3389/fneur.2025.1647966 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. GB08, GB20, LV03, GV20, GV24, XH03 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.heliyon.2024.e30417 ↗

Protocol (6 points)

100%

LI04 · LI10 · ST36 · TB22 · GB01 · GB14

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

Needling · 14 sessions over 4 weeks

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20200925-0001 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI04, ST36 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.heliyon.2024.e30417 ↗

Protocol (27 points)

100%

LI04 · ST25 · ST28 · ST36 · ST40 · SP09 · SI03 · BL10 · TB05 · TB17 · GB04 · GB08 · GB15 · GB18 · GB20 · GB34 · GB41 · GB43 · LV03 · CV04 · CV06 · CV12 · GV20 · GV24 · XB02C3 · XB02C4 · XH03

Point 1 of 27

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

Needling + Electroacupuncture · 48 sessions over 24 weeks

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e30417 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. GB08, GB20, LV03, GV20, GV24, XH03 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.3389/fneur.2025.1647966 ↗
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How the studies delivered it

What the 3 studies behind the entries above ran, counted once per study. A record of the trials, not a recommendation.

  • Needling3 of 3
  • Electroacupuncture1 of 3

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

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