Acupuncture Points for Headache Chronic

7 sourced protocols, each with its citation.

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Points cited for Headache Chronic

How often each point appears across the 7 entries ranked highest for Headache Chronic. Citation frequency, not a recommendation.

  • GB20Wind PoolGallbladder Meridian7 of 7
  • LI04Junction ValleyLarge Intestine Meridian6 of 7
  • GV20100 ConvergencesGoverning Vessel5 of 7
  • LV03Great SurgeLiver Meridian5 of 7
  • XH05Supreme Yang (Sun)Extra Points: Head4 of 7
  • BL60Kunlun (Mountains)Bladder Meridian3 of 7
  • GB41Foot Governor Of TearsGallbladder Meridian3 of 7
  • PC06Inner GatePericardium Meridian3 of 7
  • SI03Back StreamSmall Intestine Meridian3 of 7
  • ST44Inner CourtStomach Meridian3 of 7
  • TB05Outer GateTriple Burner Meridian3 of 7
  • XH01AFour Spirit BrightnessExtra Points: Head2 of 7

Each card names its evidence kind. What these labels mean

Protocol (10 points)

100%

LI04 · ST44 · SI03 · BL60 · PC06 · TB05 · GB20 · GB41 · LV03 · GV20

Point 1 of 10

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:10.1177/02692155241229282 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI04, ST44, SI03, BL60, PC06, TB05, GB20, GB41, LV03, GV20 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1177/0333102421989620 ↗

Protocol (5 points)

100%

LI04 · BL02 · GB08 · GB20 · LV03

Point 1 of 5

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

Laser · 8 sessions over 4 weeks

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1186/s12906-024-04617-9 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI04, GB20, LV03 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1177/02692155241229282 ↗

Protocol (11 points)

100%

LI04 · ST44 · SI03 · BL60 · PC06 · TB05 · GB20 · GB41 · LV03 · GV20 · XH03

Point 1 of 11

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:10.1177/0333102421989620 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI04, ST44, SI03, BL60, PC06, TB05, GB20, GB41, LV03, GV20 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1177/02692155241229282 ↗

Protocol (3 points)

100%

GB20 · GB21 · XH05

Point 1 of 3

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

Point injection · 8 sessions over 4 weeks

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2010.09.004 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. GB20, XH05 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1186/s13063-017-2188-9 ↗

Protocol (5 points)

100%

LI04 · GB20 · LV03 · GV20 · XH05

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

Needling · 20 sessions over 8 weeks

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1186/s13063-017-2188-9 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI04, GB20, LV03, GV20, XH05 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1177/0333102421989620 ↗

Protocol (16 points)

100%

LI04 · ST44 · SI03 · BL60 · PC06 · TB05 · GB20 · GB41 · LV03 · GV20 · XH01A · XH01B · XH01C · XH01D · XH03 · XH05

Point 1 of 16

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:10.1177/0333102421989620 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI04, ST44, SI03, BL60, PC06, TB05, GB20, GB41, LV03, GV20 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1177/02692155241229282 ↗
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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
  • Laser1 of 5
  • Point injection1 of 5

Sessions: the 3 studies that gave a count ran a median of 8 (middle half 8 to 14).

Course: the 3 studies that gave a length ran a median of 4 weeks (middle half 4 weeks to 6 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.