Acupuncture Points for Depression Postpartum

9 sourced protocols, each with its citation.

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Related symptoms

Often treated alongside Depression Postpartum:

Points cited for Depression Postpartum

How often each point appears across the 9 entries ranked highest for Depression Postpartum. Citation frequency, not a recommendation.

  • CV06Sea Of QiConception Vessel5 of 9
  • CV12Stomach CentreConception Vessel5 of 9
  • GV20100 ConvergencesGoverning Vessel5 of 9
  • LI04Junction ValleyLarge Intestine Meridian5 of 9
  • SP06Three Yin IntersectionSpleen Meridian5 of 9
  • CV04Original Qi GateConception Vessel4 of 9
  • HT07Spirit GateHeart Meridian4 of 9
  • LV03Great SurgeLiver Meridian4 of 9
  • PC06Inner GatePericardium Meridian4 of 9
  • XH03Hall Of Impression Or Seal HallExtra Points: Head3 of 9
  • BL31Upper Bone HoleBladder Meridian2 of 9
  • BL32Second Bone HoleBladder Meridian2 of 9

Each card names its evidence kind. What these labels mean

Protocol (6 points)

100%

BL31 · BL32 · BL33 · BL34 · KD01 · CV08

Point 1 of 6

BL31Upper Bone Hole

BL31 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 上髎 (shàng hé)

🎯 Location: On the sacrum at the midpoint between posterior superior iliac spine and posterior midline just at the 1st posterior sacral foramen.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution in sacroiliac dysfunction.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Knee Pain, Common Cold, Vomiting, Back Pain

Study-reported

3 sessions over 2 days

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.13261 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. BL31, BL32, BL33, BL34, KD01, CV08 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1159/000543477 ↗

Protocol (9 points)

100%

LI04 · SP06 · HT07 · PC06 · LV03 · CV04 · CV06 · CV12 · GV20

Point 1 of 9

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 · 16 sessions over 8 weeks

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.2147/JIR.S436907 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI04, SP06, HT07, PC06, LV03, CV04, CV06, CV12, GV20 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.3389/fcimb.2023.1228940 ↗

Protocol (6 points)

100%

BL31 · BL32 · BL33 · BL34 · KD01 · CV08

Point 1 of 6

BL31Upper Bone Hole

BL31 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 上髎 (shàng hé)

🎯 Location: On the sacrum at the midpoint between posterior superior iliac spine and posterior midline just at the 1st posterior sacral foramen.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution in sacroiliac dysfunction.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Knee Pain, Common Cold, Vomiting, Back Pain

Study-reported

1 session

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1159/000543477 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. BL31, BL32, BL33, BL34, KD01, CV08 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.13261 ↗

Protocol (3 points)

100%

ST25 · CV10 · CV12

Point 1 of 3

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

Study-reported

Acupressure

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.12998/wjcc.v12.i21.4527 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. CV12 also appears in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.2147/JIR.S436907 ↗

Protocol (3 points)

100%

LU01 · GB20 · GV20

Point 1 of 3

LU01Central Mansion

LU01 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Lung Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 中府 (zhōng fǔ)

🎯 Location: Laterosuperior to the sternum 1 thumb width below LU02 at the level of the 1st intercostal space 6 thumb widths lateral to the anterior midline.

⚠️ Cautions: Needle obliquely or laterally, never deeply or medially – risk of pneumothorax.

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

Study-reported

Acupressure · 12 sessions over 4 weeks

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.21608/ejpt.2021.83498.1047 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. GV20 also appears in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.2147/JIR.S436907 ↗

Protocol (10 points)

100%

LI04 · SP06 · HT07 · PC06 · LV03 · CV04 · CV06 · CV12 · GV20 · XH03

Point 1 of 10

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 · 16 sessions over 8 weeks

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.3389/fcimb.2023.1228940 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI04, SP06, HT07, PC06, LV03, CV04, CV06, CV12, GV20, 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/fnhum.2023.1163746 ↗
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How the studies delivered it

What the 8 studies behind the entries above ran, counted once per study. A record of the trials, not a recommendation.

  • Needling4 of 8
  • Acupressure2 of 8
  • Electroacupuncture2 of 8
  • Moxibustion1 of 8

Sessions: the 7 studies that gave a count ran a median of 16 (middle half 8 to 20).

Course: the 7 studies that gave a length ran a median of 8 weeks (middle half 15 days to 8 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.