Acupuncture Points for Finger Pain

8 sourced protocols, each with its citation.

Each card names its evidence kind. What these labels mean

Protocol (7 points)

100%

LU10 · LI04 · LI11 · ST36 · PC06 · GB21 · LV03

LU10Fish Border

LU10 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Lung Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 魚際 (yú jì)

🎯 Location: On the radial aspect of the midpoint of the 1st metacarpal bone on the junction of the red and white skin of the hand.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Fever, Anxiety, Tongue Coating Yellow, Heat Deficiency

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

LI11Pond At The Bend

LI11 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Large Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 曲池 (qū chí)

🎯 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.

🛡️ Treats: Diarrhea, Dizziness, Heat, 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

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

GB21Shoulder Well

GB21 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Gallbladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 肩井 (jiān jǐng)

🎯 Location: On the shoulder directly above the nipple at the midpoint of the line connecting GV14 and acromion the at the highest point of the shoulder.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep needling – risk of pneumothorax. 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: Cough, Shortness of Breath, Phlegm, Kidney Deficiency, Depression

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

Study-reported

Laser · 12 sessions over 4 weeks

Improved from baseline; no control group

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1089/acu.2022.0028 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI04 also appears in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1089/acu.2022.0026 ↗

Protocol (2 points)

100%

LI04 · SI02

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

SI02Front Valley

SI02 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Small Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 前谷 (qián gǔ)

🎯 Location: When loose fist is made point is on the ulnar end of the crease in the front of the metacarpophalangeal joint of the little finger at the junction of the red and white skin.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Tinnitus, Coughing Blood, Chest Fullness, Back Pain

Study-reported

Laser + Needling · 7 sessions

Improved from baseline; no control group

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1089/acu.2022.0026 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI04 also appears in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1089/acu.2022.0028 ↗
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Protocol (10 points)

100%

LI04 · SI02 · XU09A · XU09B · XU09C · XU09D · XU09E · XU09F · XU09G · XU09H

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

SI02Front Valley

SI02 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Small Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 前谷 (qián gǔ)

🎯 Location: When loose fist is made point is on the ulnar end of the crease in the front of the metacarpophalangeal joint of the little finger at the junction of the red and white skin.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Tinnitus, Coughing Blood, Chest Fullness, Back Pain

XU09AEight Evils

XU09A acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Extra Points: Upper limbs

🇨🇳 Chinese: 八邪 (bā xié)

🎯 Location: When the hand is made into the a fist, six of the these points lie in the depressions between the metacarpal heads, proximal to the web margins. the remaining two points lie equidistant between the thumb & index metacarpals, proximal to the web margins.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid in patients with bleeding disorders.

🛡️ Treats: Heat, Stiffness Finger, Swelling, Finger Pain, Pain

XU09BEight Evils

XU09B acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Extra Points: Upper limbs

🇨🇳 Chinese: 八邪 (bā xié)

🎯 Location: When the hand is made into the a fist, six of the these points lie in the depressions between the metacarpal heads, proximal to the web margins. the remaining two points lie equidistant between the thumb & index metacarpals, proximal to the web margins.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid in patients with bleeding disorders.

🛡️ Treats: Heat, Stiffness Finger, Swelling, Finger Pain, Pain

XU09CEight Evils

XU09C acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Extra Points: Upper limbs

🇨🇳 Chinese: 八邪 (bā xié)

🎯 Location: When the hand is made into the a fist, six of the these points lie in the depressions between the metacarpal heads, proximal to the web margins. the remaining two points lie equidistant between the thumb & index metacarpals, proximal to the web margins.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid in patients with bleeding disorders.

🛡️ Treats: Heat, Stiffness Finger, Swelling, Finger Pain, Pain

XU09DEight Evils

XU09D acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Extra Points: Upper limbs

🇨🇳 Chinese: 八邪 (bā xié)

🎯 Location: When the hand is made into the a fist, six of the these points lie in the depressions between the metacarpal heads, proximal to the web margins. the remaining two points lie equidistant between the thumb & index metacarpals, proximal to the web margins.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid in patients with bleeding disorders.

🛡️ Treats: Heat, Stiffness Finger, Swelling, Finger Pain, Pain

XU09EEight Evils

XU09E acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Extra Points: Upper limbs

🇨🇳 Chinese: 八邪 (bā xié)

🎯 Location: When the hand is made into the a fist, six of the these points lie in the depressions between the metacarpal heads, proximal to the web margins. the remaining two points lie equidistant between the thumb & index metacarpals, proximal to the web margins.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid in patients with bleeding disorders.

🛡️ Treats: Heat, Stiffness Finger, Swelling, Finger Pain, Pain

XU09FEight Evils

XU09F acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Extra Points: Upper limbs

🇨🇳 Chinese: 八邪 (bā xié)

🎯 Location: When the hand is made into the a fist, six of the these points lie in the depressions between the metacarpal heads, proximal to the web margins. the remaining two points lie equidistant between the thumb & index metacarpals, proximal to the web margins.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid in patients with bleeding disorders.

🛡️ Treats: Heat, Stiffness Finger, Swelling, Finger Pain, Pain

XU09GEight Evils

XU09G acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Extra Points: Upper limbs

🇨🇳 Chinese: 八邪 (bā xié)

🎯 Location: When the hand is made into the a fist, six of the these points lie in the depressions between the metacarpal heads, proximal to the web margins. the remaining two points lie equidistant between the thumb & index metacarpals, proximal to the web margins.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid in patients with bleeding disorders.

🛡️ Treats: Heat, Stiffness Finger, Swelling, Finger Pain, Pain

XU09HEight Evils

XU09H acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Extra Points: Upper limbs

🇨🇳 Chinese: 八邪 (bā xié)

🎯 Location: When the hand is made into the a fist, six of the these points lie in the depressions between the metacarpal heads, proximal to the web margins. the remaining two points lie equidistant between the thumb & index metacarpals, proximal to the web margins.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid in patients with bleeding disorders.

🛡️ Treats: Heat, Stiffness Finger, Swelling, Finger Pain, Pain

Study-reported

Laser + Needling · 7 sessions

Improved from baseline; no control group

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1089/acu.2022.0026 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI04 also appears in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1089/acu.2022.0028 ↗
Press Needles
70 needles for this course · 1 box, $19.99

Protocol (4 points)

96%

LI11 · PC07 · TB04 · TB05

LI11Pond At The Bend

LI11 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Large Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 曲池 (qū chí)

🎯 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.

🛡️ Treats: Diarrhea, Dizziness, Heat, Vomiting, Abdominal Bloating

PC07Great Mound

PC07 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Pericardium Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 大陵 (dà líng)

🎯 Location: In the middle of the transverse crease of the wrist between tendons of the palmaris longus and flexor carpi radialis.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Chest Pain, Fever, Anxiety, Palpitations, Jaundice

TB04Yang Pool

TB04 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Triple Burner Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 陽池 (yáng chí)

🎯 Location: On the transverse crease of the dorsum of the wrist in the depression the lateral to the tendon of the extensor digitorum communis.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Heat, Chest Fullness, Swelling, Shoulder Pain, Pain

TB05Outer Gate

TB05 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Triple Burner Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 外關 (wài guān)

🎯 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.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Sweating, Kidney Deficiency, Dizziness, Tinnitus

Study-reported

Did better than another treatment

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1016/s0254-6272(10)60007-6 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI11 also appears in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1089/acu.2022.0028 ↗

Protocol (9 points)

90%

LI03 · LI10 · LI15 · SI03 · SI11 · SI15 · TB03 · TB05 · TB14

LI03Third Space

LI03 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Large Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 三間 (sān jiān)

🎯 Location: When loose fist is made point is on the radial side of the index finger in the depression the proximal to the head of the 2nd metacarpal bone.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Diarrhea, Tinnitus, Common Cold, Heat

LI10Arm Three Miles

LI10 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Large Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 手三里 (shǒu sān lǐ)

🎯 Location: On the line joining LI05 and LI11, 2 thumb widths below cubital crease.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid in cases of local inflammation or injury.

🛡️ Treats: Diarrhea, Vomiting, Abdominal Pain, Pain, Facial Droop

LI15Shoulder And Clavicle

LI15 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Large Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 肩髃 (jiān yú)

🎯 Location: Anteroinferior to the acromion on the upper portion of the deltoid muscle; when arm is in the full abduction the point is in the depression the appearing at the anterior border of the acromioclavicular joint.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep perpendicular needling due to risk of pneumothorax; caution in shoulder injuries.

🛡️ Treats: Wind, Shoulder Pain, Pain, Goiter, Hemiplegia

SI03Back Stream

SI03 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Small Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 後谿 (hòu xī)

🎯 Location: When loose fist is made point is on the ulnar end of the distal palmar crease proximal to the 5th metacarpophalangeal joint at the end of the transverse crease and junction of the red and white skin.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Knee Pain, Tinnitus, Jaundice, Common Cold

SI11Heavenly Gathering

SI11 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Small Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 天宗 (tiān zōng)

🎯 Location: On the scapula in the depression of the center of the subscapular fossa and at the level of the 4th thoracic vertebra.

⚠️ Cautions: Rule out fracture, dislocation and joint instability before needling, and do not needle into an acutely swollen joint or a haemarthrosis.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Qi Stagnation, Chest Fullness, Elbow Pain, Shoulder Blade Pain

SI15Middle Shoulder Point

SI15 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Small Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 肩中俞 (jiān zhōng shū)

🎯 Location: 2 thumb widths lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the 7th cervical vertebra (GV14).

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep perpendicular needling; risk of pneumothorax.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Fever, Shoulder Blade Pain, Shoulder Pain, Pain

TB03Central Islet

TB03 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Triple Burner Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 中渚 (zhōng zhǔ)

🎯 Location: When fist is clenched point is on the dorsum of the hand between 4th and 5th metacarpal bones in the depression the proximal to the 4th metacarpophalangeal joint.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Heat, Redness

TB05Outer Gate

TB05 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Triple Burner Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 外關 (wài guān)

🎯 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.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Sweating, Kidney Deficiency, Dizziness, Tinnitus

TB14Shoulder Bone Hole

TB14 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Triple Burner Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 肩髎 (jiān liáo)

🎯 Location: On the shoulder posterior to the LI15 in the depression the inferior and posterior to the acromion the when arm is abducted.

⚠️ Cautions: Rule out fracture, dislocation and joint instability before needling, and do not needle into an acutely swollen joint or a haemarthrosis.

🛡️ Treats: Numbness, Shoulder Pain, Pain, Arm Pain, Benefit Shoulders

Text or case report

Point selection recorded in a clinical text or case report.

Li N, Tian F, Wang C, Yu P, Zhou X, Wen Q, Qiao X, Huang L. Therapeutic effect of acupuncture and massage for shoulder-hand syndrome in hemiplegia patients: a clinical two-center randomized controlled trial. J Tradit Chin Med 2012; 32(3): 343-346
Substantiated by a study. TB05 also appears in a study-reported protocol for the same search. That study did not test this prescription. doi:10.1016/s0254-6272(10)60007-6 ↗

Protocol (2 points)

90%

TB03 · TB05

TB03Central Islet

TB03 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Triple Burner Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 中渚 (zhōng zhǔ)

🎯 Location: When fist is clenched point is on the dorsum of the hand between 4th and 5th metacarpal bones in the depression the proximal to the 4th metacarpophalangeal joint.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Heat, Redness

TB05Outer Gate

TB05 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Triple Burner Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 外關 (wài guān)

🎯 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.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Sweating, Kidney Deficiency, Dizziness, Tinnitus

Text or case report

Needling · 7 sessions

Point selection recorded in a clinical text or case report.

Zhang Dengbu. Acupuncture Cases from China: A Digest of Difficult and Complicated Case Histories. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone, 1994
Substantiated by a study. TB05 also appears in a study-reported protocol for the same search. That study did not test this prescription. doi:10.1016/s0254-6272(10)60007-6 ↗
Press Needles
14 needles for this course · 1 box, $19.99
AcuiQ Self-Treatment Guide
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Points cited for Finger Pain

How often each point appears across the 8 entries ranked highest for Finger Pain. Citation frequency, not a recommendation.

  • LI03Third SpaceLarge Intestine Meridian3 of 8
  • LI04Junction ValleyLarge Intestine Meridian3 of 8
  • TB05Outer GateTriple Burner Meridian3 of 8
  • LI11Pond At The BendLarge Intestine Meridian2 of 8
  • SI02Front ValleySmall Intestine Meridian2 of 8
  • SI03Back StreamSmall Intestine Meridian2 of 8
  • TB03Central IsletTriple Burner Meridian2 of 8
  • XU09AEight EvilsExtra Points: Upper limbs2 of 8
  • XU09BEight EvilsExtra Points: Upper limbs2 of 8
  • XU09CEight EvilsExtra Points: Upper limbs2 of 8
  • XU09DEight EvilsExtra Points: Upper limbs2 of 8
  • XU09EEight EvilsExtra Points: Upper limbs2 of 8

How the studies delivered it

What the 3 studies behind the entries above ran, counted once per study. A record of the trials, not a recommendation.

  • Laser2 of 3
  • Needling1 of 3

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

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