Acupuncture Points for Copd Acute Exacerbation

7 sourced protocols, each with its citation.

Each card names its evidence kind. What these labels mean

Protocol (7 points)

100%

LU05 · LU07 · ST25 · ST36 · SP09 · CV09 · CV12

LU05Cubit Marsh

LU05 acupoint
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🗺️ 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

LU07Interrupted Sequence

LU07 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Lung Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 列缺 (liè quē)

🎯 Location: Superior to the styloid process of the radius 1.5 thumb widths above the transverse crease of the wrist between brachioradialis and tendon of the abductor policis longus.

⚠️ Cautions: Use with caution in patients with radial nerve sensitivity.

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

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

SP09Yin Mound Spring

SP09 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Spleen Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 陰陵泉 (yīn líng quán)

🎯 Location: On the lower border of the medial condyle of the tibia in the depression the posterior and inferior to the medial condyle of the tibia.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid in cases of knee inflammation.

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

CV09Water Separation

CV09 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Conception Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 水分 (shuǐ fēn)

🎯 Location: On the anterior midline 1 thumb width above the umbilicus.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution in pregnancy.

🛡️ Treats: Chest Pain, Edema, Stomach Deficiency, Breathing Problems, Heart Pain

CV12Stomach Centre

CV12 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Conception Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 中脘 (zhōng wǎn)

🎯 Location: On the anterior midline 4 thumb widths above the 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: Poor Appetite, Diarrhea, Shortness of Breath, Common Cold, Depression

Study-reported

Electroacupuncture · 5 sessions over 5 days

Did better than another treatment

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20220730-0002 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. ST25, ST36, CV12 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.12669/pjms.42.3.13454 ↗

Protocol (10 points)

100%

LU09 · ST25 · ST36 · ST40 · SP15 · BL13 · CV12 · CV17 · XB01A · XB01B

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

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

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

SP15Great Horizontal

SP15 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Spleen Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 大橫 (dà héng)

🎯 Location: 4 thumb widths lateral to the center of the umbilicus lateral to the rectus abdominis.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution in pregnancy.

🛡️ Treats: Diarrhea, Common Cold, Constipation, Qi Stagnation, Damp

BL13Lung Shu Point

BL13 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 肺俞 (fèi shū)

🎯 Location: 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the GV12 at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 3rd thoracic vertebra.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep perpendicular needling.

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

CV12Stomach Centre

CV12 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Conception Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 中脘 (zhōng wǎn)

🎯 Location: On the anterior midline 4 thumb widths above the 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: Poor Appetite, Diarrhea, Shortness of Breath, Common Cold, Depression

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

XB01AAsthma Rest

XB01A acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Extra Points: Back

🇨🇳 Chinese: 喘息 (chuǎn xī)

🎯 Location: 1 thumb width lateral to the GV14.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep needling; risk of pneumothorax.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Shortness of Breath, Asthma, Hives, Wheezing

XB01BRelieve Dyspnoea

XB01B acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Extra Points: Back

🇨🇳 Chinese: 定喘 (dìng chuǎn)

🎯 Location: 0.5 - 1 thumb width lateral to the depression the below the spinous process of the seventh cervical vertebra.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep needling; risk of pneumothorax.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Shortness of Breath, Asthma, Hives, Wheezing

Study-reported

Needling · 14 sessions over 2 weeks

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.12669/pjms.42.3.13454 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LU09, BL13, CV12, CV17, XB01A, XB01B also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20200606-k0007 ↗
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Protocol (3 points)

100%

ST36 · ST40 · BL13

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

BL13Lung Shu Point

BL13 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 肺俞 (fèi shū)

🎯 Location: 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the GV12 at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 3rd thoracic vertebra.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep perpendicular needling.

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

Study-reported

Needling + Moxibustion · 14 sessions over 2 weeks

Did better than sham needling

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.2019.09.002 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. ST36, ST40, BL13 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.12669/pjms.42.3.13454 ↗
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Protocol (6 points)

100%

LU09 · BL13 · CV12 · CV17 · XB01A · XB01B

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

BL13Lung Shu Point

BL13 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 肺俞 (fèi shū)

🎯 Location: 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the GV12 at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 3rd thoracic vertebra.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep perpendicular needling.

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

CV12Stomach Centre

CV12 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Conception Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 中脘 (zhōng wǎn)

🎯 Location: On the anterior midline 4 thumb widths above the 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: Poor Appetite, Diarrhea, Shortness of Breath, Common Cold, Depression

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

XB01AAsthma Rest

XB01A acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Extra Points: Back

🇨🇳 Chinese: 喘息 (chuǎn xī)

🎯 Location: 1 thumb width lateral to the GV14.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep needling; risk of pneumothorax.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Shortness of Breath, Asthma, Hives, Wheezing

XB01BRelieve Dyspnoea

XB01B acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Extra Points: Back

🇨🇳 Chinese: 定喘 (dìng chuǎn)

🎯 Location: 0.5 - 1 thumb width lateral to the depression the below the spinous process of the seventh cervical vertebra.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep needling; risk of pneumothorax.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Shortness of Breath, Asthma, Hives, Wheezing

Study-reported

Needling · 10 sessions over 10 days

Did better than sham needling

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20200606-k0007 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LU09, BL13, CV12, CV17, XB01A, XB01B also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.12669/pjms.42.3.13454 ↗
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Protocol (2 points)

100%

XB01A · XB01B

XB01AAsthma Rest

XB01A acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Extra Points: Back

🇨🇳 Chinese: 喘息 (chuǎn xī)

🎯 Location: 1 thumb width lateral to the GV14.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep needling; risk of pneumothorax.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Shortness of Breath, Asthma, Hives, Wheezing

XB01BRelieve Dyspnoea

XB01B acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Extra Points: Back

🇨🇳 Chinese: 定喘 (dìng chuǎn)

🎯 Location: 0.5 - 1 thumb width lateral to the depression the below the spinous process of the seventh cervical vertebra.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep needling; risk of pneumothorax.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Shortness of Breath, Asthma, Hives, Wheezing

Study-reported

Electrical stimulation on the skin · 1 session

Improved from baseline; no control group

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1089/acm.2011.0222 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. XB01A, XB01B also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.12669/pjms.42.3.13454 ↗

Protocol (8 points)

100%

LU06 · ST25 · BL13 · KD04 · CV08 · CV17 · GV04 · XB01B

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

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

BL13Lung Shu Point

BL13 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 肺俞 (fèi shū)

🎯 Location: 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the GV12 at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 3rd thoracic vertebra.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep perpendicular needling.

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

KD04Large Bell

KD04 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Kidney Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 大鐘 (dà zhōng)

🎯 Location: Posterior and inferior to the medial malleolus in the depression the anterior to the medial side of the attachment of the achilles tendon.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Anxiety, Asthma, Coughing Blood, Palpitations

CV08Spirit Palace Gate

CV08 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Conception Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 神闕 (shén què)

🎯 Location: In the center of the umbilicus.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications; often use moxa only.

🛡️ Treats: Abdominal Bloating, Rectal Prolapse, Edema, Cold Blood, Loss of Consciousness

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

GV04Life Gate

GV04 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Governing Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 命門 (mìng mén)

🎯 Location: Below spinous process of the 2nd lumbar vertebra.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Anxiety, Kidney Deficiency, Dizziness, Tinnitus

XB01BRelieve Dyspnoea

XB01B acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Extra Points: Back

🇨🇳 Chinese: 定喘 (dìng chuǎn)

🎯 Location: 0.5 - 1 thumb width lateral to the depression the below the spinous process of the seventh cervical vertebra.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep needling; risk of pneumothorax.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Shortness of Breath, Asthma, Hives, Wheezing

Study-reported

Moxibustion · 60 sessions over 60 days

Did better than usual care

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.3389/fmed.2026.1741212 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. ST25, BL13, CV17, XB01B also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.12669/pjms.42.3.13454 ↗
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Related symptoms

Often treated alongside Copd Acute Exacerbation:

Points cited for Copd Acute Exacerbation

How often each point appears across the 7 entries ranked highest for Copd Acute Exacerbation. Citation frequency, not a recommendation.

  • BL13Lung Shu PointBladder Meridian5 of 7
  • CV17Chest CentreConception Vessel4 of 7
  • ST36Leg Three MilesStomach Meridian4 of 7
  • XB01BRelieve DyspnoeaExtra Points: Back4 of 7
  • CV12Stomach CentreConception Vessel3 of 7
  • ST25Celestial PivotStomach Meridian3 of 7
  • ST40Abundant BulgeStomach Meridian3 of 7
  • XB01AAsthma RestExtra Points: Back3 of 7
  • LU05Cubit MarshLung Meridian2 of 7
  • LU07Interrupted SequenceLung Meridian2 of 7
  • LU09Great SourceLung Meridian2 of 7
  • BL20Spleen Shu PointBladder Meridian1 of 7

Registered, results not reported

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

ST40 · BL13 · CV17 · CV22 · XB01A · XB01B – doi:10.3389/fmed.2026.1879332

LU05 · LU06 · CV12 · CV17 · CV22 – doi:10.3389/fpubh.2023.1235672

SP04 · PC06 · CV12 · CV17 · CV22 – doi:10.3389/fpubh.2023.1235672

How the studies delivered it

What the 6 studies behind the entries above ran, counted once per study. A record of the trials, not a recommendation.

  • Needling3 of 6
  • Moxibustion2 of 6
  • Electroacupuncture1 of 6
  • Electrical stimulation on the skin1 of 6

Sessions: the 6 studies that gave a count ran a median of 12 (middle half 6 to 14).

Course: the 6 studies that gave a length ran a median of 12 days (middle half 6 days to 2 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.