# Acupoints for Chronic Pain

24 sourced protocols for Chronic Pain. Canonical page: https://acuiq.com/symptoms/chronic-pain

## Protocols

| # | Points | Dosage | Frequency | Source | Kind | Caveat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ST36 (Leg Three Miles), BL12 (Wind Gate), BL13 (Lung Shu Point), BL14 (Absolute Yin Shu Point), BL15 (Heart Shu Point), BL16 (Governing Vessel Shu Point), BL17 (Diaphragm Shu Point), BL18 (Liver Shu Point), BL19 (Gallbladder Shu Point) | – | – | doi:10.1016/j.jtcvs.2008.07.053 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 2 | LI04 (Junction Valley), LV03 (Great Surge) | – | – | doi:10.1186/s12906-017-1838-5 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 3 | ST36 (Leg Three Miles), SP06 (Three Yin Intersection), PC06 (Inner Gate) | – | – | doi:10.1186/s12906-017-1838-5 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 4 | LI04 (Junction Valley), ST36 (Leg Three Miles), SP06 (Three Yin Intersection), PC06 (Inner Gate), LV03 (Great Surge) | – | – | doi:10.1186/s12906-017-1838-5 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 5 | LI04 (Junction Valley), ST25 (Celestial Pivot), PC06 (Inner Gate), LV03 (Great Surge), CV12 (Stomach Centre) | – | – | doi:10.1177/1534735418786797 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 6 | BL23 (Kidney Shu Point), BL24 (Sea Of Qi Shu Point), BL25 (Large Intestine Shu Point), BL40 (Middle Of The Crease), GB30 (Jumping Circle), GV03 (Yang Lumbar Gate), GV04 (Life Gate), GV05 (Suspended Pivot) | – | – | doi:10.1155/2018/4510909 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 7 | BL23 (Kidney Shu Point), BL24 (Sea Of Qi Shu Point), BL25 (Large Intestine Shu Point), BL26 (Original Qi Gate Shu Point), BL40 (Middle Of The Crease), BL60 (Kunlun (Mountains)), GB30 (Jumping Circle), GB31 (Wind Market), GV03 (Yang Lumbar Gate) | – | – | doi:10.1186/s13063-018-3049-x | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 8 | LI04 (Junction Valley), ST36 (Leg Three Miles), SP06 (Three Yin Intersection), SP10 (Sea Of Blood), KD03 (Great Stream), PC06 (Inner Gate), LV03 (Great Surge), LV08 (Spring At The Bend), CV06 (Sea Of Qi), CV17 (Chest Centre) | – | – | doi:10.1177/09645284211017303 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 9 | LI16 (Great Bone), SI14 (Outer Shoulder Point), SI15 (Middle Shoulder Point), BL11 (Great Shuttle), TB15 (Heavenly Bone Hole) | – | – | doi:10.1111/cns.14335 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 10 | SP06 (Three Yin Intersection), BL23 (Kidney Shu Point), BL31 (Upper Bone Hole), BL32 (Second Bone Hole), BL33 (Middle Bone Hole), BL60 (Kunlun (Mountains)) | – | – | doi:10.1016/j.jams.2018.02.002 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 11 | ST44 (Inner Court), SP06 (Three Yin Intersection), BL15 (Heart Shu Point), BL17 (Diaphragm Shu Point), BL23 (Kidney Shu Point), KD06 (Shining Sea), KD07 (Returning Flow), PC07 (Great Mound), LV03 (Great Surge), GV20 (100 Convergences) | – | – | doi:10.7759/cureus.65890 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 12 | BL10 (Celestial Pillar), GB12 (Mastoid Process), GB20 (Wind Pool), GV16 (Wind Mansion) | – | – | doi:10.2147/JPR.S485481 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 13 | BL23 (Kidney Shu Point), BL24 (Sea Of Qi Shu Point), BL25 (Large Intestine Shu Point) | – | – | doi:10.1186/s12906-025-04891-1 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 14 | SP06 (Three Yin Intersection), HT07 (Spirit Gate), LV03 (Great Surge) | – | – | doi:10.1093/jncics/pky064 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 15 | LI04 (Junction Valley), ST36 (Leg Three Miles), SP06 (Three Yin Intersection), KD03 (Great Stream), CV06 (Sea Of Qi), GV20 (100 Convergences) | – | – | doi:10.1093/jncics/pky064 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 16 | LI18 (Beside The Prominence), ST06 (Jaw Bone), ST07 (Below The Arch), SI19 (Palace Of Hearing), TB17 (Hurricane), GB20 (Wind Pool), GB21 (Shoulder Well) | – | – | doi:10.1016/j.imr.2024.101044 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 17 | LI04 (Junction Valley), LI11 (Pond At The Bend), ST36 (Leg Three Miles), SP06 (Three Yin Intersection), SP10 (Sea Of Blood), LV03 (Great Surge), GV20 (100 Convergences), GV24 (Spirit Court) | – | – | doi:10.1182/bloodadvances.2025016995 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 18 | BL23 (Kidney Shu Point), BL25 (Large Intestine Shu Point) | – | – | doi:10.4015/s1016237204000281 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 19 | LI04 (Junction Valley), ST36 (Leg Three Miles), SP06 (Three Yin Intersection), TB05 (Outer Gate), GV20 (100 Convergences), GV24 (Spirit Court) | – | – | doi:10.1016/j.wjam.2023.04.001 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 20 | ST35 (Calf's Nose), SP10 (Sea Of Blood), XL02 (Crane's Summit), XL05A (Medial Eye Of The Knee) | – | – | doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20250807-k0001 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 21 | BL10 (Celestial Pillar), GB12 (Mastoid Process), GB20 (Wind Pool), GV16 (Wind Mansion) | – | – | doi:10.2147/JPR.S485481 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 22 | ST25 (Celestial Pivot), ST27 (Great Bulge), ST36 (Leg Three Miles), SP04 (Grandfather Grandson), SP06 (Three Yin Intersection), SI03 (Back Stream), BL19 (Gallbladder Shu Point), BL21 (Stomach Shu Point), BL62 (Extending Vessel), KD03 (Great Stream), KD06 (Shining Sea), TB05 (Outer Gate), LV08 (Spring At The Bend) | – | – | doi:10.7759/cureus.74385 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 23 | ST36 (Leg Three Miles), BL60 (Kunlun (Mountains)) | – | – | 任君辉李娜席丹宁韦乃瑄邵晓梅刘伯一梁宜杜俊英金小明方剑乔 房军帆. 肥大细胞在痛觉敏化诱发及电针预防疼痛慢性化中的作用（英文）. Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine ., 2024 [CNKI] | text | Point selection recorded in a clinical text or case report. |
| 24 | SI15 (Middle Shoulder Point) | – | – | doi:10.1002/ejp.1924 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |

## Point locations

| Point | Name | Meridian | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| ST36 | Leg Three Miles | Stomach Meridian | 3 thumb widths below ST35, 1 finger breadth (middle finger) from anterior border of the tibia. |
| BL12 | Wind Gate | Bladder Meridian | 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the du mai at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 2nd thoracic vertebra. |
| BL13 | Lung Shu Point | Bladder Meridian | 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the GV12 at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 3rd thoracic vertebra. |
| BL14 | Absolute Yin Shu Point | Bladder Meridian | 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the du mai at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 4th thoracic vertebra. |
| BL15 | Heart Shu Point | Bladder Meridian | 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the GV11 at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 5th thoracic vertebra. |
| BL16 | Governing Vessel Shu Point | Bladder Meridian | 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the GV10 at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 6th thoracic vertebra. |
| BL17 | Diaphragm Shu Point | Bladder Meridian | 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the GV09 at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 7th thoracic vertebra. |
| BL18 | Liver Shu Point | Bladder Meridian | 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the GV08 at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 9th thoracic vertebra. |
| BL19 | Gallbladder Shu Point | Bladder Meridian | 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the GV07 at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 10th thoracic vertebra. |
| LI04 | Junction Valley | Large Intestine Meridian | On the dorsum of the hand between 1st & 2nd metacarpal bones approximately in the middle of the 2nd metacarpal bone on the radial side. |
| LV03 | Great Surge | Liver Meridian | On the dorsum of the foot in the depression the distal to the junction of the 1st and 2nd metatarsal bones. |
| SP06 | Three Yin Intersection | Spleen Meridian | 3 thumb widths directly above the tip of the medial malleolus posterior to the medial border of the tibia. |
| PC06 | Inner Gate | Pericardium Meridian | 2 thumb widths above the transverse crease of the wrist between tendons of the palmaris longus and flexor carpi radialis. |
| ST25 | Celestial Pivot | Stomach Meridian | 2 thumb widths lateral to the center of the umbilicus. |
| CV12 | Stomach Centre | Conception Vessel | On the anterior midline 4 thumb widths above the umbilicus. |
| BL23 | Kidney Shu Point | Bladder Meridian | 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the GV04 at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 2nd lumbar vertebra. |
| BL24 | Sea Of Qi Shu Point | Bladder Meridian | 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the du mai at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 3rd lumbar vertebra. |
| BL25 | Large Intestine Shu Point | Bladder Meridian | 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the GV03 at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 4th lumbar vertebra. |
| BL40 | Middle Of The Crease | Bladder Meridian | Midpoint of the transverse crease of the popliteal fossa between tendons of the biceps femoris and semitendinosus. |
| GB30 | Jumping Circle | Gallbladder Meridian | At the junction of the lateral ⅓ and medial ⅔ of the distance between prominence of the greater trochanter and hiatus of the sacrum, GV02; when locating point put patient in the lateral recumbent position the with thigh flexed. |
| GV03 | Yang Lumbar Gate | Governing Vessel | Below spinous process of the 4th lumbar vertebra at the level with iliac crest. |
| GV04 | Life Gate | Governing Vessel | Below spinous process of the 2nd lumbar vertebra. |
| GV05 | Suspended Pivot | Governing Vessel | Below spinous process of the 1st lumbar vertebra. |
| BL26 | Original Qi Gate Shu Point | Bladder Meridian | 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the du mai at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 5th lumbar vertebra. |
| BL60 | Kunlun (Mountains) | Bladder Meridian | In the depression the between tip of the external malleolus and achilles tendon. |
| GB31 | Wind Market | Gallbladder Meridian | On the midline of the lateral aspect of the thigh, 7 thumb widths above the transverse popliteal crease; when patient is standing erect with hands close to the sides, point is where tip of the middle finger touches. |
| SP10 | Sea Of Blood | Spleen Meridian | 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. |
| KD03 | Great Stream | Kidney Meridian | In the depression the between tip of the medial malleolus and achilles tendon. |
| LV08 | Spring At The Bend | Liver Meridian | 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. |
| CV06 | Sea Of Qi | Conception Vessel | On the anterior midline 1.5 thumb widths below umbilicus. |
| CV17 | Chest Centre | Conception Vessel | On the anterior midline at the level with 4th intercostal space, midway between nipples. |
| LI16 | Great Bone | Large Intestine Meridian | In the upper aspect of the shoulder in the depression the between acromial extremity of the clavicle and scapular spine. |
| SI14 | Outer Shoulder Point | Small Intestine Meridian | 3 thumb widths lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the 1st thoracic vertebra where GV13 is located. |
| SI15 | Middle Shoulder Point | Small Intestine Meridian | 2 thumb widths lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the 7th cervical vertebra (GV14). |
| BL11 | Great Shuttle | Bladder Meridian | 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the GV13 at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 1st thoracic vertebra. |
| TB15 | Heavenly Bone Hole | Triple Burner Meridian | Midway between GB21 and SI13 on the superior angle of the scapula. |
| BL31 | Upper Bone Hole | Bladder Meridian | On the sacrum at the midpoint between posterior superior iliac spine and posterior midline just at the 1st posterior sacral foramen. |
| BL32 | Second Bone Hole | Bladder Meridian | On the sacrum medial and inferior to the posterior superior iliac spine just at the 2nd posterior sacral foramen. |
| BL33 | Middle Bone Hole | Bladder Meridian | On the sacrum medial and inferior to the BL32 just at the 3rd posterior sacral foramen. |
| ST44 | Inner Court | Stomach Meridian | Proximal to the web margin the between 2nd and 3rd toes in the depression the distal and lateral to the 2nd metatarsodigital joint. |
| KD06 | Shining Sea | Kidney Meridian | In the depression the below tip of the medial malleolus. |
| KD07 | Returning Flow | Kidney Meridian | 2 thumb widths directly above the KD03 on the anterior border of the achilles tendon. |
| PC07 | Great Mound | Pericardium Meridian | In the middle of the transverse crease of the wrist between tendons of the palmaris longus and flexor carpi radialis. |
| GV20 | 100 Convergences | Governing Vessel | 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. |
| BL10 | Celestial Pillar | Bladder Meridian | 1.3 thumb widths lateral to the midpoint of the posterior hairline and in the depression on the lateral aspect of the trapezius. |
| GB12 | Mastoid Process | Gallbladder Meridian | In the depression the posterior and inferior to the mastoid process. |
| GB20 | Wind Pool | Gallbladder Meridian | In the depression the between upper portion of the scm and trapezius on the same level with GV16. |
| GV16 | Wind Mansion | Governing Vessel | 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. |
| HT07 | Spirit Gate | Heart Meridian | 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. |
| LI18 | Beside The Prominence | Large Intestine Meridian | On the lateral side of the neck, level with tip of the adam's apple between sternal and clavicular heads of the scm muscle. |
| ST06 | Jaw Bone | Stomach Meridian | One finger breadth (middle finger) anterior & superior to the lower angle of the mandible where masseter is prominent when teeth are clenched & depressive when it is pressed. |
| ST07 | Below The Arch | Stomach Meridian | On the face anterior to the ear in the depression the between zygomatic arch and mandibular notch; point is located with mouth closed. |
| SI19 | Palace Of Hearing | Small Intestine Meridian | Anterior to the tragus and posterior to the condyloid process of the mandible in the depression the formed when mouth is open. |
| TB17 | Hurricane | Triple Burner Meridian | Posterior to the lobule of the ear in the depression the between mandible and mastoid process. |
| GB21 | Shoulder Well | Gallbladder Meridian | 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. |
| LI11 | Pond At The Bend | Large Intestine Meridian | 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. |
| GV24 | Spirit Court | Governing Vessel | 0.5 thumb widths directly above the midpoint of the anterior hairline. |
| TB05 | Outer Gate | Triple Burner Meridian | 2 thumb widths proximal to the dorsal crease of the wrist on the line connecting TB04 and tip of the olecranon the between radius and ulna. |
| ST35 | Calf's Nose | Stomach Meridian | When knee is flexed point is at the lower border of the patella in the depression the lateral to the patellar ligament. |
| XL02 | Crane's Summit | Extra Points: Lower limbs | In the depression the at the midpoint of the superior border of the patella. |
| XL05A | Medial Eye Of The Knee | Extra Points: Lower limbs | When the knee is flexed, in the depression medial to the patellar ligament. The medial member of the Xiyan (EX-LE 5) pair; EX-LE 4 (Neixiyan) denotes this point alone. |
| ST27 | Great Bulge | Stomach Meridian | 2 thumb widths below umbilicus 2 thumb widths lateral to the CV05. |
| SP04 | Grandfather Grandson | Spleen Meridian | In the depression the distal and inferior to the base of the 1st metatarsal bone at the junction of the red and white skin. |
| SI03 | Back Stream | Small Intestine Meridian | 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. |
| BL21 | Stomach Shu Point | Bladder Meridian | 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. |
| BL62 | Extending Vessel | Bladder Meridian | In the depression the directly below external malleolus. |

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AcuiQ-authored prose (symptom and meridian descriptions, the wiki, the auricular crosswalk) is licensed CC-BY-4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/. The assembled protocol compilation is not: build on it with attribution, but do not redistribute it whole as a dataset – https://acuiq.com/terms. The underlying findings are the cited sources' claims – each entry carries its citation; verify against the source before relying on it. Not medical advice: https://acuiq.com/terms