Corroborated by a second study. LU09, LU10, SP03, HT08 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1093/ecam/nep240 ↗
🎯 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.
🎯 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.
🎯 Location: In the depression the below tip of the medial malleolus.
⚠️ 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.
🎯 Location: On the anterior midline 1.5 thumb widths below 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.
🎯 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.
Corroborated by a second study. LU01, ST36, CV17 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1183/23120541.00668-2024 ↗
🎯 Location: On the chest directly below nipple, on the lower border of the breast, in the 5th intercostal space 4 thumb widths lateral to the anterior midline.
⚠️ Cautions: Caution in lactating women; avoid direct needling in breast tissue.
🎯 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.
🎯 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.
🎯 Location: On the anterior midline 3 thumb widths below 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. Bleeding in pregnancy requires obstetric assessment.
🎯 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.
🎯 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.
Corroborated by a second study. ST25, ST40, CV12, CV17 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 ↗
🎯 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.
🎯 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.
🎯 Location: On the radial side of the wrist; when thumb is tilted upward it is in the depression the between tendons of the extensor pollicus longus and brevis.
🎯 Location: 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.
⚠️ Cautions: Monitor blood pressure and avoid strong stimulation where hypertension is uncontrolled or unstable; hypertensive crisis is a medical emergency. Avoid excessive stimulation in weak patients.
🎯 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.
🎯 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.
🎯 Location: 6 thumb widths from tip of the medial malleolus on the line connecting tip of the medial malleolus and SP09 posterior to the medial border of the tibia.
🎯 Location: 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.
⚠️ Cautions: Anticoagulant therapy or a coagulopathy raises the risk of haematoma at the needling site – apply prolonged pressure on withdrawal. The precaution governs technique; bleeding disorders remain a treatable indication.
🎯 Location: 2 thumb widths proximal to the dorsal crease of the wrist on the line connecting TB04 and tip of the olecranon the between radius and ulna.
🎯 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.
🎯 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.
Corroborated by a second study. LI04, ST36, SP06, KD03, PC06, GB20, LV03, GV20, GV24 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ↗
🎯 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.
Corroborated by a second study. LU09, LU10, SP03, HT08 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1155/2013/506317 ↗
🎯 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.
🎯 Location: On the lateral side of the head, 0.5 thumb widths above the anterior hairline at the corner of the forehead & 4.5 thumb widths lateral to the midline of the head.
🎯 Location: In the depression the between tip of the external malleolus and achilles tendon.
⚠️ 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.
🎯 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.
Corroborated by a second study. LI04, GB08, GV20 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1089/acu.2021.0086 ↗
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These studies tested the points below for Dyspnea and found no effect. They are not counted above.
LI04 – doi:10.1016/j.ejca.2016.03.078 – No better than another treatment – Acupuncture-alone arm; also unnamed sternal, paravertebral and trapezius trigger points
Registered, results not reported
These trials registered a protocol for Dyspnea and have not reported results. They are not counted above.