Acupuncture Points for Constipation

101 sourced protocols, each with its citation.

AcuiQ posts on X about the papers it indexes. Follow @acu_iq

Points cited for Constipation

How often each point appears across the 50 entries ranked highest for Constipation. Citation frequency, not a recommendation.

  • ST25Celestial PivotStomach Meridian21 of 50
  • SP06Three Yin IntersectionSpleen Meridian20 of 50
  • ST36Leg Three MilesStomach Meridian20 of 50
  • LI04Junction ValleyLarge Intestine Meridian18 of 50
  • ST37Upper Great HollowStomach Meridian12 of 50
  • LI11Pond At The BendLarge Intestine Meridian11 of 50
  • GV20100 ConvergencesGoverning Vessel10 of 50
  • PC06Inner GatePericardium Meridian10 of 50
  • LV03Great SurgeLiver Meridian8 of 50
  • KD06Shining SeaKidney Meridian7 of 50
  • CV12Stomach CentreConception Vessel6 of 50
  • TB06Branch DitchTriple Burner Meridian6 of 50

Each card names its evidence kind. What these labels mean

Protocol (11 points)

100%

LI04 · ST25 · ST31 · ST32 · SP06 · SP10 · KD03 · GB31 · CV04 · CV06 · GV20

Point 1 of 11

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

ST25Celestial Pivot

ST25 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Stomach Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 天樞 (tiān shū)

🎯 Location: 2 thumb widths lateral to the center of the umbilicus.

⚠️ Cautions: Acute appendicitis is a surgical emergency – treatment here is adjunctive at most and must never delay surgical assessment. Avoid needling over the gravid uterus after the first trimester; where used in pregnancy, needle shallowly and only on a clear obstetric indication.

🛡️ Treats: Poor Appetite, Diarrhea, Constipation, Vomiting, Abdominal Bloating

ST31Thigh Gate

ST31 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Stomach Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 髀關 (bì guān)

🎯 Location: On the anterior side of the thigh on the line connecting asis and laterosuperior corner of the patella on the level of the inferior pubis symphasis when thigh is fixed in the depression the lateral to the sartorius.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution with depth near femoral vessels.

🛡️ Treats: Jaundice, Pain, Thigh Pain, Sciatica, Lower Back Pain

ST32Crouching Rabbit

ST32 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Stomach Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 伏兔 (fú tù)

🎯 Location: On the line connecting asis and lateral border of the patella 6 thumb widths above the laterosuperior border of the patella.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Knee Pain, Common Cold, Pain, Lower Back Pain, Channel Stagnation

SP06Three Yin Intersection

SP06 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Spleen Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 三陰交 (sān yīn jiāo)

🎯 Location: 3 thumb widths directly above the tip of the medial malleolus posterior to the medial border of the tibia.

⚠️ 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: Diarrhea, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Palpitations, Abdominal Bloating

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

GB31Wind Market

GB31 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Gallbladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 風市 (fēng shì)

🎯 Location: 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.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Knee Pain, Wind, Pain, Hives, Sciatica

CV04Original Qi Gate

CV04 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Conception Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 關元 (guān yuán)

🎯 Location: On the anterior midline 3 thumb widths below umbilicus.

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

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Diarrhea, Anxiety, Shortness of Breath, Kidney Deficiency

CV06Sea Of Qi

CV06 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Conception Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 氣海 (qì hǎi)

🎯 Location: On the anterior midline 1.5 thumb widths below umbilicus.

⚠️ 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: Diarrhea, Shortness of Breath, Constipation, Yang Weakness, Abdominal Bloating

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

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1016/s0254-6272(10)60017-9 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI04, SP06, KD03, CV04, CV06, GV20 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1155/2013/613596 ↗

Protocol (3 points)

100%

LI04 · SP06 · LV05

Point 1 of 3

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

SP06Three Yin Intersection

SP06 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Spleen Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 三陰交 (sān yīn jiāo)

🎯 Location: 3 thumb widths directly above the tip of the medial malleolus posterior to the medial border of the tibia.

⚠️ 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: Diarrhea, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Palpitations, Abdominal Bloating

LV05Woodworm Channel

LV05 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Liver Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 蠡溝 (lí gōu)

🎯 Location: 5 thumb widths above the tip of the medial malleolus on the midline of the medial surface of the tibia.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Anxiety, Palpitations, Common Cold, Depression, Swelling

Study-reported

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1016/s0254-6272(09)60043-1 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI04, SP06 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(10)60017-9 ↗

Protocol (2 points)

100%

ST43 · LV05

Point 1 of 2

ST43Sunken Valley

ST43 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Stomach Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 陷谷 (xiàn gǔ)

🎯 Location: In the depression the distal to the junction of the 2nd and 3rd metatarsal bones.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Common Cold, Chest Fullness, Abdominal Bloating, Abdominal Pain

LV05Woodworm Channel

LV05 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Liver Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 蠡溝 (lí gōu)

🎯 Location: 5 thumb widths above the tip of the medial malleolus on the midline of the medial surface of the tibia.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Anxiety, Palpitations, Common Cold, Depression, Swelling

Study-reported

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1016/s0254-6272(09)60043-1 ↗
Not corroborated. No other study in the index uses any of these points for this search.

Protocol (2 points)

100%

LV02 · LV05

Point 1 of 2

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

LV05Woodworm Channel

LV05 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Liver Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 蠡溝 (lí gōu)

🎯 Location: 5 thumb widths above the tip of the medial malleolus on the midline of the medial surface of the tibia.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Anxiety, Palpitations, Common Cold, Depression, Swelling

Study-reported

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1016/s0254-6272(09)60043-1 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LV02 also appears in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1016/s0254-6272(09)60080-7 ↗

Protocol (16 points)

100%

ST25 · ST36 · ST37 · ST40 · SP03 · SP06 · BL18 · KD03 · PC06 · LV02 · LV03 · LV14 · CV15 · GV14 · GV20 · GV24

Point 1 of 16

ST25Celestial Pivot

ST25 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Stomach Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 天樞 (tiān shū)

🎯 Location: 2 thumb widths lateral to the center of the umbilicus.

⚠️ Cautions: Acute appendicitis is a surgical emergency – treatment here is adjunctive at most and must never delay surgical assessment. Avoid needling over the gravid uterus after the first trimester; where used in pregnancy, needle shallowly and only on a clear obstetric indication.

🛡️ Treats: Poor Appetite, Diarrhea, Constipation, Vomiting, Abdominal Bloating

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

ST37Upper Great Hollow

ST37 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Stomach Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 上巨虛 (shàng jù xū)

🎯 Location: 6 thumb widths below ST35, 1 finger breadth (middle finger) from anterior border of the tibia.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Diarrhea, Shortness of Breath, Spleen Weakness, Stomach Weakness, Common Cold

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

SP03Great White

SP03 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Spleen Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 太白 (tài bái)

🎯 Location: Proximal and inferior to the 1st metatarsophalangeal joint in the depression of the junction of the red and white skin.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution in patients with cardiac arrhythmias.

🛡️ Treats: Diarrhea, Knee Pain, Constipation, Heat, Vomiting

SP06Three Yin Intersection

SP06 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Spleen Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 三陰交 (sān yīn jiāo)

🎯 Location: 3 thumb widths directly above the tip of the medial malleolus posterior to the medial border of the tibia.

⚠️ 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: Diarrhea, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Palpitations, Abdominal Bloating

BL18Liver Shu Point

BL18 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 肝俞 (gān shū)

🎯 Location: 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the GV08 at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 9th thoracic vertebra.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep perpendicular needling.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Chest Pain, Dizziness, Coughing Blood, Jaundice

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

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

LV14Qi Cycle Gate

LV14 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Liver Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 期門 (qī mén)

🎯 Location: Directly below nipple in the 6th intercostal space 4 thumb widths lateral to the anterior midline.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep needling; risk of pneumothorax.

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

CV15Turtledove Tail

CV15 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Conception Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 鳩尾 (jiū wěi)

🎯 Location: On the anterior midline 1 thumb width below xiphoid process, locate point with patient supine with arms raised.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution; proximity to xiphoid process.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Chest Pain, Shortness of Breath, Coughing Blood, Palpitations

GV14Great Vertebra

GV14 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Governing Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 大椎 (dà zhuī)

🎯 Location: Below spinous process of the 7th cervical vertebra approximately at the level of the shoulders.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution with C7 vertebra.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Shortness of Breath, Weakness, Heat, Chest Fullness

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

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

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1016/s0254-6272(09)60080-7 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. ST25, ST36, SP06, KD03, PC06, GV20, GV24 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1186/s13058-023-01645-0 ↗

Protocol (2 points)

100%

ST23 · ST27

Point 1 of 2

ST23Great Unity

ST23 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Stomach Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 太乙 (tài yǐ)

🎯 Location: 2 thumb widths above the umbilicus 2 thumb widths lateral to the CV10.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution in pregnancy.

🛡️ Treats: Phlegm, Calm Spirit Shen, Regulate Jiao Middle, Calm Spirit Shen, Benefit Regulate Jiao Middle

ST27Great Bulge

ST27 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Stomach Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 大巨 (dà jù)

🎯 Location: 2 thumb widths below umbilicus 2 thumb widths lateral to the CV05.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution in pregnancy.

🛡️ Treats: Palpitations, Insomnia, Urinary Retention, Agitation, Fullness

Study-reported

Moxibustion · 12 sessions over 4 weeks

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1186/1472-6882-11-124 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. ST27 also appears in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1177/26892820261454476 ↗
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Registered, results not reported

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

LI04 · LI11 · ST36 · ST37 · ST39 · SP04 · SP09 · PC06 – doi:10.21203/RS.3.RS-618552/V1

GV01 · GV03 · GV11 · GV14 – doi:10.1097/md.0000000000024662

ST25 · ST37 · CV04 – doi:10.3389/fnins.2026.1840324

How the studies delivered it

What the 41 studies behind the entries above ran, counted once per study. A record of the trials, not a recommendation.

  • Needling18 of 41
  • Electroacupuncture10 of 41
  • Moxibustion5 of 41
  • Acupressure5 of 41
  • Electrical stimulation on the skin2 of 41
  • Point injection1 of 41
  • Cupping1 of 41
  • Thread embedding1 of 41
  • Herbal plaster on points1 of 41

Sessions: the 16 studies that gave a count ran a median of 12 (middle half 8 to 14).

Course: the 22 studies that gave a length ran a median of 4 weeks (middle half 11 days to 53 days).

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

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