# Acupoints for Cramps

1 sourced protocol for Cramps. Canonical page: https://acuiq.com/symptoms/cramps

## Protocols

| # | Points | Dosage | Frequency | Source | Kind | Caveat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | KD01 (Bubbling Spring), CV04 (Original Qi Gate) | – | – | doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2015-009976 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 2 | ST28 (Waterway), SP06 (Three Yin Intersection), BL54 (Lowermost In Order) | – | – | doi:10.2147/IJWH.S264023 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 3 | SP06 (Three Yin Intersection), SP08 (Earth'S Cure), CV04 (Original Qi Gate) | – | – | doi:10.2147/jpr.s579686 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 4 | SP06 (Three Yin Intersection) | – | – | doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2015-008166 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 5 | ST36 (Leg Three Miles), SP06 (Three Yin Intersection), SP08 (Earth'S Cure), BL32 (Second Bone Hole), CV03 (Central Pivot), CV04 (Original Qi Gate), CV06 (Sea Of Qi) | – | – | doi:10.1016/j.jtcms.2025.09.006 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 6 | SP06 (Three Yin Intersection), CV04 (Original Qi Gate) | – | – | doi:10.61173/wrfn0540 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 7 | SP06 (Three Yin Intersection) | – | – | Chao Maria T et al.. An innovative acupuncture treatment for primary dysmenorrhea: a randomized, crossover pilot study.. Alternative therapies in health and medicine, 2014 | text | Point selection recorded in a clinical text or case report. |
| 8 | SP06 (Three Yin Intersection), SP08 (Earth'S Cure), SP10 (Sea Of Blood) | – | – | doi:10.13702/j.1000-0607.20230026 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 9 | CV02 (Curved Bone), CV04 (Original Qi Gate) | – | – | doi:10.1186/s12906-019-2433-8 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 10 | LI04 (Junction Valley), SP04 (Grandfather Grandson), SP06 (Three Yin Intersection), SP08 (Earth'S Cure), SP10 (Sea Of Blood), BL32 (Second Bone Hole), LV03 (Great Surge), CV03 (Central Pivot), CV06 (Sea Of Qi) | – | – | doi:10.1093/ecam/nep239 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 11 | ST36 (Leg Three Miles), SP06 (Three Yin Intersection), SP08 (Earth'S Cure), BL17 (Diaphragm Shu Point), BL20 (Spleen Shu Point), BL32 (Second Bone Hole), CV04 (Original Qi Gate), CV06 (Sea Of Qi) | – | – | doi:10.1093/ecam/nep239 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 12 | LU07 (Interrupted Sequence), ST36 (Leg Three Miles), SP06 (Three Yin Intersection), BL23 (Kidney Shu Point), KD06 (Shining Sea), CV03 (Central Pivot), CV04 (Original Qi Gate), CV06 (Sea Of Qi), GV04 (Life Gate) | – | – | doi:10.1093/ecam/nep239 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 13 | LI11 (Pond At The Bend), ST28 (Waterway), ST29 (Return), ST40 (Abundant Bulge), SP06 (Three Yin Intersection), SP09 (Yin Mound Spring), BL22 (Sanjiao Shu Point), BL32 (Second Bone Hole), GB34 (Yang Mound Spring), LV02 (Passing Between) | – | – | doi:10.1093/ecam/nep239 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 14 | ST36 (Leg Three Miles), SP06 (Three Yin Intersection), BL17 (Diaphragm Shu Point), BL18 (Liver Shu Point), BL23 (Kidney Shu Point), KD03 (Great Stream), CV04 (Original Qi Gate), CV06 (Sea Of Qi) | – | – | doi:10.1093/ecam/nep239 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 15 | SP06 (Three Yin Intersection) | – | – | doi:10.1155/2013/493038 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 16 | SP06 (Three Yin Intersection) | – | – | doi:10.1155/2015/238790 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 17 | SP06 (Three Yin Intersection), CV04 (Original Qi Gate), CV06 (Sea Of Qi), CV08 (Spirit Palace Gate) | – | – | doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0170952 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 18 | SP06 (Three Yin Intersection) | – | – | doi:10.1136/acupmed-2016-011228 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 19 | SP06 (Three Yin Intersection), CV04 (Original Qi Gate) | – | – | doi:10.2147/JPR.S270698 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 20 | ST25 (Celestial Pivot), ST29 (Return), CV03 (Central Pivot), CV04 (Original Qi Gate), CV06 (Sea Of Qi), CV08 (Spirit Palace Gate) | – | – | doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000023798 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 21 | SP06 (Three Yin Intersection), BL31 (Upper Bone Hole), BL32 (Second Bone Hole), BL33 (Middle Bone Hole), BL34 (Lower Bone Hole), CV04 (Original Qi Gate) | – | – | doi:10.1155/2022/1281336 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 22 | SP06 (Three Yin Intersection) | – | – | doi:10.2147/PPA.S27127 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 23 | LI04 (Junction Valley), ST36 (Leg Three Miles), SP06 (Three Yin Intersection) | – | – | doi:10.1186/s12906-025-04965-0 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 24 | ST29 (Return), SP04 (Grandfather Grandson), SP06 (Three Yin Intersection), SP08 (Earth'S Cure), BL32 (Second Bone Hole), CV03 (Central Pivot) | – | – | doi:10.2147/JPR.S537971 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 25 | LU07 (Interrupted Sequence), LI04 (Junction Valley), LI11 (Pond At The Bend), ST29 (Return), ST36 (Leg Three Miles), ST40 (Abundant Bulge), ST44 (Inner Court), SP04 (Grandfather Grandson), SP06 (Three Yin Intersection), SP08 (Earth'S Cure), SP09 (Yin Mound Spring), SP10 (Sea Of Blood), SI03 (Back Stream), BL23 (Kidney Shu Point), BL32 (Second Bone Hole), BL62 (Extending Vessel), KD03 (Great Stream), KD06 (Shining Sea), KD07 (Returning Flow), KD14 (Fourfold Fullness), GB41 (Foot Governor Of Tears), GB43 (Narrow Stream), LV03 (Great Surge), CV03 (Central Pivot), CV04 (Original Qi Gate), CV06 (Sea Of Qi), GV04 (Life Gate), GV20 (100 Convergences), GV24 (Spirit Court) | – | – | doi:10.1136/bcr-2018-224725 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 26 | LI04 (Junction Valley), ST25 (Celestial Pivot), ST29 (Return), ST30 (Qi Surge), ST36 (Leg Three Miles), SP04 (Grandfather Grandson), HT07 (Spirit Gate), BL62 (Extending Vessel), KD03 (Great Stream), PC06 (Inner Gate), LV03 (Great Surge), CV04 (Original Qi Gate), CV06 (Sea Of Qi) | – | – | doi:10.1093/ecam/nem020 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 27 | SP06 (Three Yin Intersection), KD03 (Great Stream), CV04 (Original Qi Gate) | – | – | doi:10.1155/2012/543943 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 28 | SP06 (Three Yin Intersection) | – | – | doi:10.1155/2012/543943 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 29 | LI04 (Junction Valley) | – | – | doi:10.1016/s0254-6272(14)60008-x | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 30 | SP06 (Three Yin Intersection), CV04 (Original Qi Gate), CV06 (Sea Of Qi), CV08 (Spirit Palace Gate) | – | – | doi:10.1155/2014/434978 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 31 | SP06 (Three Yin Intersection) | – | – | doi:10.1016/j.jams.2014.01.004 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 32 | SP06 (Three Yin Intersection), CV04 (Original Qi Gate) | – | – | doi:10.1186/s13063-015-0552-1 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 33 | ST36 (Leg Three Miles), SP06 (Three Yin Intersection), SP08 (Earth'S Cure), SP10 (Sea Of Blood), BL23 (Kidney Shu Point), BL32 (Second Bone Hole), LV03 (Great Surge), CV03 (Central Pivot), CV04 (Original Qi Gate), CV06 (Sea Of Qi) | – | – | doi:10.1155/2015/752194 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 34 | SP06 (Three Yin Intersection), SP08 (Earth'S Cure), CV03 (Central Pivot), CV06 (Sea Of Qi) | – | – | doi:10.1155/2015/735690 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 35 | SP06 (Three Yin Intersection) | – | – | doi:10.1155/2017/1791258 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 36 | LI04 (Junction Valley), ST28 (Waterway), ST36 (Leg Three Miles), SP10 (Sea Of Blood), BL20 (Spleen Shu Point), BL32 (Second Bone Hole), BL54 (Lowermost In Order), LV03 (Great Surge) | – | – | doi:10.1155/2019/7978180 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 37 | CV04 (Original Qi Gate), CV06 (Sea Of Qi) | – | – | doi:10.1007/s10103-021-03490-z | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 38 | SP04 (Grandfather Grandson), SP06 (Three Yin Intersection), SP10 (Sea Of Blood), PC06 (Inner Gate), CV04 (Original Qi Gate), CV06 (Sea Of Qi) | – | – | doi:10.1155/prm/3494216 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 39 | SP06 (Three Yin Intersection), SP10 (Sea Of Blood), CV04 (Original Qi Gate), CV08 (Spirit Palace Gate) | – | – | doi:10.3389/fendo.2026.1728199 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 40 | SP08 (Earth'S Cure) | – | – | doi:10.2147/PPA.S27127 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 41 | LV03 (Great Surge) | – | – | doi:10.4103/1735-9066.178233 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 42 | CV02 (Curved Bone), CV04 (Original Qi Gate) | – | – | doi:10.4103/1735-1995.193176 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 43 | LI04 (Junction Valley), LI10 (Arm Three Miles), ST36 (Leg Three Miles), SP06 (Three Yin Intersection), SP15 (Great Horizontal), HT07 (Spirit Gate), PC06 (Inner Gate), GB26 (Girdle Vessel), LV03 (Great Surge) | – | – | doi:10.5935/1518-0557.20180083 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 44 | SP06 (Three Yin Intersection) | – | – | doi:10.5935/1518-0557.20180083 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 45 | SP10 (Sea Of Blood) | – | – | doi:10.1089/acu.2021.0084 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 46 | SP06 (Three Yin Intersection) | – | – | doi:10.1111/j.1526-4637.2010.00949.x | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 47 | SP06 (Three Yin Intersection), SP08 (Earth'S Cure), SP09 (Yin Mound Spring) | – | – | doi:10.13702/j.1000-0607.170989 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 48 | SP06 (Three Yin Intersection), LV03 (Great Surge) | – | – | doi:10.51507/j.jams.2021.14.2.33 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 49 | CV04 (Original Qi Gate) | – | – | doi:10.13457/j.cnki.jncm.2013.07.069 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 50 | SP06 (Three Yin Intersection), SP08 (Earth'S Cure), BL32 (Second Bone Hole), LV03 (Great Surge), CV04 (Original Qi Gate) | – | – | doi:10.13192/j.ljtcm.2010.06.155.buyq.042 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |

## Point locations

| Point | Name | Meridian | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| KD01 | Bubbling Spring | Kidney Meridian | On the sole in the depression the when foot is in the plantar flexion the approximately at the junction of the anterior 1/3 and posterior 2/3 of the line connecting base of the 2nd and 3rd toes and heel. |
| CV04 | Original Qi Gate | Conception Vessel | On the anterior midline 3 thumb widths below umbilicus. |
| ST28 | Waterway | Stomach Meridian | 3 thumb widths below umbilicus 2 thumb widths lateral to the CV04. |
| 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. |
| BL54 | Lowermost In Order | Bladder Meridian | On the level of the 4th posterior sacral foramen 3 thumb widths lateral to the median sacral crest. |
| SP08 | Earth'S Cure | Spleen Meridian | 3 thumb widths below SP09 on the line connecting tip of the medial malleolus and SP09. |
| ST36 | Leg Three Miles | Stomach Meridian | 3 thumb widths below ST35, 1 finger breadth (middle finger) from anterior border of the tibia. |
| 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. |
| CV03 | Central Pivot | Conception Vessel | On the anterior midline 4 thumb widths below umbilicus. |
| CV06 | Sea Of Qi | Conception Vessel | On the anterior midline 1.5 thumb widths below umbilicus. |
| 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. |
| CV02 | Curved Bone | Conception Vessel | On the midpoint of the upper border of the symphysis pubis. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| BL20 | Spleen Shu Point | Bladder Meridian | 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the GV06 at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 11th thoracic vertebra. |
| LU07 | Interrupted Sequence | Lung Meridian | 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. |
| 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. |
| KD06 | Shining Sea | Kidney Meridian | In the depression the below tip of the medial malleolus. |
| GV04 | Life Gate | Governing Vessel | Below spinous process of the 2nd lumbar vertebra. |
| 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. |
| ST29 | Return | Stomach Meridian | 4 thumb widths below umbilicus 2 thumb widths lateral to the CV03. |
| ST40 | Abundant Bulge | Stomach Meridian | 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. |
| SP09 | Yin Mound Spring | Spleen Meridian | 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. |
| BL22 | Sanjiao Shu Point | Bladder Meridian | 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the GV05 at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 1st lumbar vertebra. |
| GB34 | Yang Mound Spring | Gallbladder Meridian | In the depression the anterior and inferior to the head of the fibula. |
| LV02 | Passing Between | Liver Meridian | 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. |
| 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. |
| KD03 | Great Stream | Kidney Meridian | In the depression the between tip of the medial malleolus and achilles tendon. |
| CV08 | Spirit Palace Gate | Conception Vessel | In the center of the umbilicus. |
| ST25 | Celestial Pivot | Stomach Meridian | 2 thumb widths lateral to the center of the umbilicus. |
| 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. |
| BL33 | Middle Bone Hole | Bladder Meridian | On the sacrum medial and inferior to the BL32 just at the 3rd posterior sacral foramen. |
| BL34 | Lower Bone Hole | Bladder Meridian | On the sacrum medial and inferior to the BL33 just at the 4th 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. |
| 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. |
| BL62 | Extending Vessel | Bladder Meridian | In the depression the directly below external malleolus. |
| KD07 | Returning Flow | Kidney Meridian | 2 thumb widths directly above the KD03 on the anterior border of the achilles tendon. |
| KD14 | Fourfold Fullness | Kidney Meridian | 2 thumb widths below umbilicus 0.5 thumb widths lateral to the CV05. |
| GB41 | Foot Governor Of Tears | Gallbladder Meridian | Posterior to the 4th metatarsophalangeal joint in the depression the lateral to the tendon of the extensor digiti minimi of the foot. |
| GB43 | Narrow Stream | Gallbladder Meridian | On the dorsum of the foot between 4th and 5th toe proximal to the margin of the web at the junction of the red and white skin. |
| 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. |
| GV24 | Spirit Court | Governing Vessel | 0.5 thumb widths directly above the midpoint of the anterior hairline. |
| ST30 | Qi Surge | Stomach Meridian | 5 thumb widths below umbilicus 2 thumb widths lateral to the CV02. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| LI10 | Arm Three Miles | Large Intestine Meridian | On the line joining LI05 and LI11, 2 thumb widths below cubital crease. |
| SP15 | Great Horizontal | Spleen Meridian | 4 thumb widths lateral to the center of the umbilicus lateral to the rectus abdominis. |
| GB26 | Girdle Vessel | Gallbladder Meridian | Directly below lr13 (zhangmen) at the crossing point of the vertical line through free end of the 11th rib and horizontal line through umbilicus. |

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AcuiQ-authored content (the protocol compilation, symptom and meridian prose, research essays) is licensed CC-BY-4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/. 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