Acupuncture Points for Extremities Pain

6 sourced protocols, each with its citation.

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Points cited for Extremities Pain

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

  • LI04Junction ValleyLarge Intestine Meridian6 of 6
  • LV03Great SurgeLiver Meridian4 of 6
  • SP06Three Yin IntersectionSpleen Meridian4 of 6
  • ST36Leg Three MilesStomach Meridian4 of 6
  • LI11Pond At The BendLarge Intestine Meridian3 of 6
  • CV06Sea Of QiConception Vessel2 of 6
  • GB41Foot Governor Of TearsGallbladder Meridian2 of 6
  • TB03Central IsletTriple Burner Meridian2 of 6
  • BL23Kidney Shu PointBladder Meridian1 of 6
  • BL60Kunlun (Mountains)Bladder Meridian1 of 6
  • CV04Original Qi GateConception Vessel1 of 6
  • CV10Lower StomachConception Vessel1 of 6

Each card names its evidence kind. What these labels mean

Protocol (9 points)

100%

LI04 · LI11 · ST25 · ST36 · SP06 · CV04 · CV06 · CV10 · CV12

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

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.3389/fneur.2022.908282 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI04, LI11, ST36, SP06, CV06 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1016/j.esmoop.2025.105565 ↗

Protocol (9 points)

100%

LI04 · ST36 · SP06 · BL60 · KD03 · KD06 · KD07 · LV03 · GV20

Point 1 of 9

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

Study-reported

Needling

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1016/j.ejon.2022.102171 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI04, ST36, SP06, LV03 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1016/j.esmoop.2025.105565 ↗

Protocol (4 points)

100%

LI04 · TB03 · GB41 · LV03

Point 1 of 4

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

Point injection

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.3831/KPI.2017.20.034 ↗
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:10.1016/j.ejon.2022.102171 ↗

Protocol (4 points)

100%

LI04 · TB03 · GB41 · LV03

Point 1 of 4

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

Point injection

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.3831/KPI.2017.20.034 ↗
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:10.1016/j.ejon.2022.102171 ↗

Protocol (6 points)

100%

LI04 · LI11 · ST36 · SP06 · LV03 · CV06

Point 1 of 6

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

Acupressure · 32 sessions over 16 weeks

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1016/j.esmoop.2025.105565 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI04, LI11, ST36, SP06, CV06 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.3389/fneur.2022.908282 ↗

Protocol (6 points)

100%

LI04 · LI11 · ST36 · SP06 · BL23 · GB34

Point 1 of 6

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

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.2016.10.032 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI04, LI11, ST36, SP06 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.3389/fneur.2022.908282 ↗
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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
  • Point injection1 of 5
  • Acupressure1 of 5

After a treatment: what large safety surveys recorded, and which reactions need a doctor.

Disclaimer: The acupoint information provided is for educational purposes only.