Acupuncture Points for Gastrointestinal Problems

5 sourced protocols, each with its citation.

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Points cited for Gastrointestinal Problems

How often each point appears across the 5 entries ranked highest for Gastrointestinal Problems. Citation frequency, not a recommendation.

  • ST36Leg Three MilesStomach Meridian5 of 5
  • ST25Celestial PivotStomach Meridian3 of 5
  • CV12Stomach CentreConception Vessel2 of 5
  • LI04Junction ValleyLarge Intestine Meridian2 of 5
  • PC06Inner GatePericardium Meridian2 of 5
  • ST37Upper Great HollowStomach Meridian2 of 5
  • CV04Original Qi GateConception Vessel1 of 5
  • CV09Water SeparationConception Vessel1 of 5
  • LU05Cubit MarshLung Meridian1 of 5
  • LU07Interrupted SequenceLung Meridian1 of 5
  • LV03Great SurgeLiver Meridian1 of 5
  • MS06Anterior Oblique Line of Vertex-TemporalScalp Lines1 of 5

Each card names its evidence kind. What these labels mean

Protocol (3 points)

100%

LI04 · ST36 · SP06

Point 1 of 3

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 + Electroacupuncture

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1245/s10434-025-17239-3 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI04, ST36 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1080/08941939.2024.2434093 ↗

Protocol (7 points)

100%

ST25 · ST36 · ST37 · ST39 · CV04 · CV12 · MS06

Point 1 of 7

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

Study-reported

Needling · 20 sessions over 4 weeks

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20231109-k0009 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. ST25, ST36, CV12 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20220730-0002 ↗

Protocol (3 points)

100%

ST36 · PC06 · LV03

Point 1 of 3

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

Study-reported

Needling · 7 sessions over 7 days

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20250324-k0006 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. ST36, PC06 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1080/08941939.2024.2434093 ↗

Protocol (7 points)

100%

LU05 · LU07 · ST25 · ST36 · SP09 · CV09 · CV12

Point 1 of 7

LU05Cubit Marsh

LU05 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Lung Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 尺澤 (chǐ zé)

🎯 Location: On the cubital crease in the depression of the radial side of the biceps brachii tendon; point is located with elbow slightly flexed.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid in cases of severe vascular disease; caution with depth at cubital fossa.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Diarrhea, Shortness of Breath, Asthma, Knee Pain

Study-reported

Electroacupuncture · 5 sessions over 5 days

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20220730-0002 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. ST25, ST36, CV12 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20231109-k0009 ↗

Protocol (5 points)

78%

LI04 · ST25 · ST36 · ST37 · PC06

Point 1 of 5

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

Electrical stimulation on the skin

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1080/08941939.2024.2434093 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. ST25, ST36, ST37 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20231109-k0009 ↗
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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
  • Electroacupuncture2 of 5
  • Electrical stimulation on the skin1 of 5

Sessions: the 3 studies that gave a count ran a median of 7 (middle half 6 to 14).

Course: the 3 studies that gave a length ran a median of 7 days (middle half 6 days to 18 days).

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

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