Acupuncture Points for Depression Subthreshold

6 sourced protocols, each with its citation.

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Related symptoms

Often treated alongside Depression Subthreshold:

Points cited for Depression Subthreshold

How often each point appears across the 6 entries ranked highest for Depression Subthreshold. Citation frequency, not a recommendation.

  • GV20100 ConvergencesGoverning Vessel4 of 6
  • LV03Great SurgeLiver Meridian4 of 6
  • XH03Hall Of Impression Or Seal HallExtra Points: Head4 of 6
  • HT07Spirit GateHeart Meridian2 of 6
  • LI04Junction ValleyLarge Intestine Meridian2 of 6
  • ST25Celestial PivotStomach Meridian2 of 6
  • ST36Leg Three MilesStomach Meridian2 of 6
  • BL13Lung Shu PointBladder Meridian1 of 6
  • BL17Diaphragm Shu PointBladder Meridian1 of 6
  • BL18Liver Shu PointBladder Meridian1 of 6
  • BL19Gallbladder Shu PointBladder Meridian1 of 6
  • BL42Door Of The Corporeal SoulBladder Meridian1 of 6

Each card names its evidence kind. What these labels mean

Protocol (6 points)

100%

ST25 · ST36 · HT07 · LV03 · GV20 · XH03

Point 1 of 6

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

HT07Spirit Gate

HT07 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Heart Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 神門 (shén mén)

🎯 Location: 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.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution in cardiac arrhythmias.

🛡️ Treats: Anxiety, Shortness of Breath, Palpitations, Common Cold, Heat

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

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

XH03Hall Of Impression Or Seal Hall

XH03 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Extra Points: Head

🇨🇳 Chinese: 印堂 (yìn táng)

🎯 Location: At the glabella, at the midpoint between the medial extremities of the eyebrows.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Anxiety, Dizziness, Wind, Facial Pain, Insomnia

Study-reported

Needling · 24 sessions over 8 weeks

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1186/s12906-025-05165-6 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LV03, 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/fpsyt.2024.1361177 ↗

Protocol (6 points)

100%

ST25 · ST36 · HT07 · LV03 · GV20 · XH03

Point 1 of 6

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

HT07Spirit Gate

HT07 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Heart Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 神門 (shén mén)

🎯 Location: 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.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution in cardiac arrhythmias.

🛡️ Treats: Anxiety, Shortness of Breath, Palpitations, Common Cold, Heat

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

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

XH03Hall Of Impression Or Seal Hall

XH03 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Extra Points: Head

🇨🇳 Chinese: 印堂 (yìn táng)

🎯 Location: At the glabella, at the midpoint between the medial extremities of the eyebrows.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Anxiety, Dizziness, Wind, Facial Pain, Insomnia

Study-reported

Needling · 24 sessions over 8 weeks

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1186/s12906-025-05165-6 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LV03, 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/fpsyt.2024.1361177 ↗

Protocol (10 points)

100%

BL13 · BL17 · BL18 · BL19 · BL42 · BL46 · BL47 · BL48 · CV11 · CV12

Point 1 of 10

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

BL17Diaphragm Shu Point

BL17 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 膈俞 (gé shū)

🎯 Location: 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the GV09 at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 7th thoracic vertebra.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep perpendicular needling.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Fever, Shortness of Breath, Sweating, Dizziness

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

BL19Gallbladder Shu Point

BL19 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 膽俞 (dǎn shū)

🎯 Location: 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the GV07 at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 10th thoracic vertebra.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep perpendicular needling.

🛡️ Treats: Chest Pain, Palpitations, Jaundice, Common Cold, Vomiting

BL42Door Of The Corporeal Soul

BL42 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 魄戶 (pò hù)

🎯 Location: 3 thumb widths lateral to the du mai at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 3rd thoracic vertebra on the spinal border of the scapula.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep perpendicular needling due to risk of pneumothorax.

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

BL46Diaphragm Gate

BL46 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 膈關 (gé guān)

🎯 Location: 3 thumb widths lateral to the GV09 at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 7th thoracic vertebra approximately at the level of the inferior angle of the scapula.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep perpendicular needling due to risk of pneumothorax.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Common Cold, Chest Fullness, Vomiting, Back Pain

BL47Ethereal Soul Gate

BL47 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 魂門 (hún mén)

🎯 Location: 3 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 due to risk of pneumothorax.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Diarrhea, Common Cold, Chest Fullness, Vomiting

BL48Yang Headrope

BL48 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 陽綱 (yáng gāng)

🎯 Location: 3 thumb widths lateral to the GV07 at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 10th thoracic vertebra.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep perpendicular needling due to risk of pneumothorax.

🛡️ Treats: Diarrhea, Heat, Abdominal Bloating, Abdominal Pain, Dysentery

CV11Strengthen The Interior

CV11 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Conception Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 建里 (jiàn lǐ)

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

⚠️ Cautions: Caution in pregnancy.

🛡️ Treats: Vomiting, Abdominal Bloating, Edema, Heart Pain, Turmoil Disorder

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

Herbal plaster on points · 12 sessions over 6 weeks

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20250609-0004 ↗
Not corroborated. No other study in the index uses any of these points for this search.

Protocol (2 points)

100%

GV20 · XH03

Point 1 of 2

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

XH03Hall Of Impression Or Seal Hall

XH03 acupoint
Click to enlarge

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🗺️ Meridian: Extra Points: Head

🇨🇳 Chinese: 印堂 (yìn táng)

🎯 Location: At the glabella, at the midpoint between the medial extremities of the eyebrows.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Anxiety, Dizziness, Wind, Facial Pain, Insomnia

Study-reported

Electroacupuncture · 18 sessions over 6 weeks

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1136/acupmed-2015-010981 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. GV20, XH03 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1186/s12906-025-05165-6 ↗

Protocol (4 points)

100%

LI04 · LV03 · GV20 · XH03

Point 1 of 4

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

LV03Great Surge

LV03 acupoint
Click to enlarge

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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

GV20100 Convergences

GV20 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ 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

XH03Hall Of Impression Or Seal Hall

XH03 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Extra Points: Head

🇨🇳 Chinese: 印堂 (yìn táng)

🎯 Location: At the glabella, at the midpoint between the medial extremities of the eyebrows.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Anxiety, Dizziness, Wind, Facial Pain, Insomnia

Study-reported

Needling · 8 sessions over 4 weeks

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1361177 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LV03, GV20, XH03 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1186/s12906-025-05165-6 ↗

Protocol (2 points)

100%

LI04 · LV03

Point 1 of 2

LI04Junction Valley

LI04 acupoint
Click to enlarge

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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

LV03Great Surge

LV03 acupoint
Click to enlarge

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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

Study-reported

Needling · 1 session

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1093/psyrad/kkaf006 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI04, LV03 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1361177 ↗
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How the studies delivered it

What the 5 studies behind the entries above ran, counted once per study. A record of the trials, not a recommendation.

  • Needling3 of 5
  • Herbal plaster on points1 of 5
  • Electroacupuncture1 of 5

Sessions: the 5 studies that gave a count ran a median of 12 (middle half 8 to 18).

Course: the 5 studies that gave a length ran a median of 6 weeks (middle half 4 weeks to 6 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.