Acupuncture Points for Dysphagia Post-stroke

71 sourced protocols, each with its citation.

Each card names its evidence kind. What these labels mean

Protocol (6 points)

100%

GB20 · CV23 · GV20 · XB02C2 · XB02C3 · XB02C4

GB20Wind Pool

GB20 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Gallbladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 風池 (fēng chí)

🎯 Location: In the depression the between upper portion of the scm and trapezius on the same level with GV16.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution with vertebral artery; avoid deep perpendicular needling.

🛡️ Treats: Stress, Fever, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Wind

CV23Clean Spring

CV23 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Conception Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 廉泉 (lián quán)

🎯 Location: Above adam's apple in the depression of the upper border of the hyoid bone.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution with hyoid bone.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Chest Pain, Shortness of Breath, Excessive Salivation, Dry Mouth

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

XB02C2Hua Tuo's Para-Vertebral Point - C2

XB02C2 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Extra Points: Back

🇨🇳 Chinese: 華佗夾脊 (huà tuó jiā jǐ)

🎯 Location: 0.5 - 1 thumb width lateral to the depressions below the spinous processes of the second cervical vertebra.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution near spinal cord; avoid deep perpendicular needling.

🛡️ Treats: Qi Stagnation, Circulation Blood, Neck Disorder, Regulate Six Fu, Regulate Five Zang

XB02C3Hua Tuo's Para-Vertebral Point - C3

XB02C3 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Extra Points: Back

🇨🇳 Chinese: 華佗夾脊 (huà tuó jiā jǐ)

🎯 Location: 0.5 - 1 thumb width lateral to the depressions below the spinous processes of the third cervical vertebra.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution near spinal cord; avoid deep perpendicular needling.

🛡️ Treats: Qi Stagnation, Circulation Blood, Neck Disorder, Regulate Six Fu, Regulate Five Zang

XB02C4Hua Tuo's Para-Vertebral Point - C4

XB02C4 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Extra Points: Back

🇨🇳 Chinese: 華佗夾脊 (huà tuó jiā jǐ)

🎯 Location: 0.5 - 1 thumb width lateral to the depressions below the spinous processes of the fourth cervical vertebra.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution near spinal cord; avoid deep perpendicular needling.

🛡️ Treats: Qi Stagnation, Circulation Blood, Neck Disorder, Regulate Six Fu, Regulate Five Zang

Study-reported

Needling

Did better than usual care

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1177/0269215515578698 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. GB20, CV23, GV20 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1155/2020/4689296 ↗
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Protocol (6 points)

100%

PC06 · CV23 · GV20 · GV26 · XH12 · XH13

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

CV23Clean Spring

CV23 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Conception Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 廉泉 (lián quán)

🎯 Location: Above adam's apple in the depression of the upper border of the hyoid bone.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution with hyoid bone.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Chest Pain, Shortness of Breath, Excessive Salivation, Dry Mouth

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

GV26Philtrum

GV26 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Governing Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 水溝 (shuǐ gōu)

🎯 Location: At the junction of the upper ⅓ and middle ⅓ of the philtrum.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Jaundice, Depression, Wind, Chills

XH12Golden Liquid

XH12No surface view – this point is lingual frenulum

🗺️ Meridian: Extra Points: Head

🇨🇳 Chinese: 金津 (jīn jīn)

🎯 Location: In the mouth, on the vein the in the left side of the frenulum of the tongue.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution with sublingual vessels.

🛡️ Treats: Diarrhea, Heat, Vomiting, Swelling, Pain

XH13Jade Fluid

XH13No surface view – this point is lingual frenulum

🗺️ Meridian: Extra Points: Head

🇨🇳 Chinese: 玉液 (yù yè)

🎯 Location: In the mouth, on the vein the in the right side of the frenulum of the tongue.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution with sublingual vessels.

🛡️ Treats: Diarrhea, Heat, Vomiting, Swelling, Pain

Study-reported

Needling · 20 sessions over 4 weeks

Did better than usual care

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20240327-k0004 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. PC06, CV23, GV26, XH12, XH13 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000037464 ↗
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Protocol (2 points)

100%

HT05 · GB20

HT05Inward Connection

HT05 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Heart Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 通里 (tōng lǐ)

🎯 Location: When palm faces upward point is on the radial side of the tendon of the flexor carpi ulnaris, 1 thumb width above the transverse crease of the wrist.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Dizziness, Palpitations, Qi Deficiency, Depression, Chest Fullness

GB20Wind Pool

GB20 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Gallbladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 風池 (fēng chí)

🎯 Location: In the depression the between upper portion of the scm and trapezius on the same level with GV16.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution with vertebral artery; avoid deep perpendicular needling.

🛡️ Treats: Stress, Fever, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Wind

Study-reported

Electroacupuncture · 1 session

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e21922 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. HT05, GB20 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1155/2020/4689296 ↗

Protocol (4 points)

100%

GB20 · XH14 · MS06 · MS07

GB20Wind Pool

GB20 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Gallbladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 風池 (fēng chí)

🎯 Location: In the depression the between upper portion of the scm and trapezius on the same level with GV16.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution with vertebral artery; avoid deep perpendicular needling.

🛡️ Treats: Stress, Fever, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Wind

XH14Eye Brightening

XH14 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Extra Points: Head

🇨🇳 Chinese: 翳明 (yì míng)

🎯 Location: On the neck, 1 thumb width posterior to the yifeng (TB17).

⚠️ Cautions: Contraindicated for direct needling; use only pressure.

🛡️ Treats: Tinnitus, Heat, Damp, Deafness, Insomnia

MS06Anterior Oblique Line of Vertex-Temporal

MS06 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Scalp Lines

🇨🇳 Chinese: 頂顳前斜線 (dǐng niè qián xié xiàn)

🎯 Location: From Qianshencong (1 cun anterior to GV20) obliquely to GB06 Xuanli, crossing the bladder and gallbladder meridians.

MS07Posterior Oblique Line of Vertex-Temporal

MS07 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Scalp Lines

🇨🇳 Chinese: 頂顳後斜線 (dǐng niè hòu xié xiàn)

🎯 Location: From GV20 Baihui obliquely to GB07 Qubin.

Study-reported

Needling · 15 sessions over 3 weeks

Did better than usual care

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20210620-k0003 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. GB20, MS06 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1155/2020/4689296 ↗
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Protocol (3 points)

100%

TB17 · GB20 · CV23

TB17Hurricane

TB17 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Triple Burner Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 翳風 (yì fēng)

🎯 Location: Posterior to the lobule of the ear in the depression the between mandible and mastoid process.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution near facial nerve.

🛡️ Treats: Heat, Wind, Pain, Deviation Eye, Facial Droop

GB20Wind Pool

GB20 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Gallbladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 風池 (fēng chí)

🎯 Location: In the depression the between upper portion of the scm and trapezius on the same level with GV16.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution with vertebral artery; avoid deep perpendicular needling.

🛡️ Treats: Stress, Fever, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Wind

CV23Clean Spring

CV23 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Conception Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 廉泉 (lián quán)

🎯 Location: Above adam's apple in the depression of the upper border of the hyoid bone.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution with hyoid bone.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Chest Pain, Shortness of Breath, Excessive Salivation, Dry Mouth

Study-reported

Needling

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1155/2021/8837625 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. TB17, GB20, CV23 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000037464 ↗
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Protocol (6 points)

100%

SP06 · PC06 · TB17 · GB20 · CV23 · GV26

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

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

TB17Hurricane

TB17 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Triple Burner Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 翳風 (yì fēng)

🎯 Location: Posterior to the lobule of the ear in the depression the between mandible and mastoid process.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution near facial nerve.

🛡️ Treats: Heat, Wind, Pain, Deviation Eye, Facial Droop

GB20Wind Pool

GB20 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Gallbladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 風池 (fēng chí)

🎯 Location: In the depression the between upper portion of the scm and trapezius on the same level with GV16.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution with vertebral artery; avoid deep perpendicular needling.

🛡️ Treats: Stress, Fever, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Wind

CV23Clean Spring

CV23 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Conception Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 廉泉 (lián quán)

🎯 Location: Above adam's apple in the depression of the upper border of the hyoid bone.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution with hyoid bone.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Chest Pain, Shortness of Breath, Excessive Salivation, Dry Mouth

GV26Philtrum

GV26 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Governing Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 水溝 (shuǐ gōu)

🎯 Location: At the junction of the upper ⅓ and middle ⅓ of the philtrum.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Jaundice, Depression, Wind, Chills

Study-reported

Needling + Electroacupuncture · 28 sessions over 4 weeks

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000037464 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. SP06, PC06, TB17, GB20, CV23, GV26 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.16808/j.cnki.issn1003-7705.2018.01.067 ↗
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Points cited for Dysphagia Post-stroke

How often each point appears across the 50 entries ranked highest for Dysphagia Post-stroke. Citation frequency, not a recommendation.

  • CV23Clean SpringConception Vessel31 of 50
  • GB20Wind PoolGallbladder Meridian27 of 50
  • TB17HurricaneTriple Burner Meridian15 of 50
  • HT05Inward ConnectionHeart Meridian13 of 50
  • PC06Inner GatePericardium Meridian13 of 50
  • GB12Mastoid ProcessGallbladder Meridian12 of 50
  • GV26PhiltrumGoverning Vessel12 of 50
  • SP06Three Yin IntersectionSpleen Meridian10 of 50
  • XH12Golden LiquidExtra Points: Head10 of 50
  • XH13Jade FluidExtra Points: Head10 of 50
  • GV16Wind MansionGoverning Vessel8 of 50
  • GV20100 ConvergencesGoverning Vessel8 of 50

Tested, no effect found

These studies tested the points below for Dysphagia Post-stroke and found no effect. They are not counted above.

HT05 · GB20 · CV23 · GV26 – doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.2016.10.004 – No better than another treatment

GB12 · GB20 · CV23 – doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20210224-0001 – No better than another treatment

CV23 – doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.2016.10.006 – No better than another treatment

HT05 · TB01 · CV23 · GV15 – pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov – No better than another treatment

PC06 · GB20 – pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov – No better than another treatment – Conventional neck-and-wrist acupuncture arm

XH12 · XH13 – pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov – No better than another treatment – Glossopharyngeal-pricking control arm

LU05 · LI04 · LI11 · ST36 · BL40 · MS06 · MS07 · MS09 – doi:10.13702/j.1000-0607.180718 – No better than another treatment – Scalp-acupuncture arm

TB17 · GB20 · CV23 · GV26 · XH12 · XH13 – doi:10.3389/fmed.2025.1565514 – No better than another treatment

Registered, results not reported

These trials registered a protocol for Dysphagia Post-stroke and have not reported results. They are not counted above.

LI04 · ST40 · HT05 · GB12 · GB20 · LV03 · CV23 · GV20 – doi:10.1155/2017/2349794

ST40 · HT05 · TB17 · GB20 · CV23 · GV16 – doi:10.1155/2018/6126410

ST40 · HT05 · TB17 · GB20 · CV23 · GV16 · XH12 · XH13 – doi:10.1155/2018/6126410

LI04 · HT05 · GB12 · GB20 · CV23 · GV20 · XH44 · MS06 – doi:10.1155/2017/2349794

TB17 · GB12 · GB20 · CV23 – doi:10.3389/fmed.2025.1697235

LU07 · BL10 · KD06 · GB12 · GB20 · CV23 · GV20 · GV24 · XH03 – doi:10.3389/fneur.2026.1764500

How the studies delivered it

What the 38 studies behind the entries above ran, counted once per study. A record of the trials, not a recommendation.

  • Needling27 of 38
  • Electroacupuncture9 of 38
  • Acupressure2 of 38
  • Moxibustion1 of 38

Sessions: the 24 studies that gave a count ran a median of 24 (middle half 18 to 28).

Course: the 26 studies that gave a length ran a median of 4 weeks (middle half 23 days to 4 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.