Acupuncture Points for High Blood Pressure

13 sourced protocols, each with its citation.

AcuiQ posts on X about the papers it indexes. Follow @acu_iq

Points cited for High Blood Pressure

How often each point appears across the 13 entries ranked highest for High Blood Pressure. Citation frequency, not a recommendation.

  • LV03Great SurgeLiver Meridian9 of 13
  • ST36Leg Three MilesStomach Meridian9 of 13
  • LI04Junction ValleyLarge Intestine Meridian8 of 13
  • LI11Pond At The BendLarge Intestine Meridian7 of 13
  • SP06Three Yin IntersectionSpleen Meridian5 of 13
  • ST09Man's PrognosisStomach Meridian5 of 13
  • PC06Inner GatePericardium Meridian4 of 13
  • GB20Wind PoolGallbladder Meridian3 of 13
  • GV26PhiltrumGoverning Vessel2 of 13
  • SP10Sea Of BloodSpleen Meridian2 of 13
  • BL18Liver Shu PointBladder Meridian1 of 13
  • BL23Kidney Shu PointBladder Meridian1 of 13

Each card names its evidence kind. What these labels mean

Protocol (5 points)

100%

LI04 · ST36 · SP06 · SP10 · LV03

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 · 24 sessions over 12 weeks

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000029077 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI04, ST36, SP06, SP10, LV03 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1089/acm.2019.0172 ↗

Protocol (2 points)

100%

PC06 · TB05

Point 1 of 2

PC06Inner Gate

PC06 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ 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

Study-reported

Acupressure · a 4-week course

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20240820-k0004 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. PC06 also appears in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.2019.04.002 ↗

Protocol (6 points)

100%

LI04 · LI11 · ST09 · ST36 · GB20 · LV03

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 · 30 sessions over 6 weeks

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.2018.04.001 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI04, LI11, ST09, ST36, LV03 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.0255-2930.2019.04.002 ↗

Protocol (7 points)

100%

LI11 · ST36 · SP06 · BL18 · BL23 · GB20 · LV03

Point 1 of 7

LI11Pond At The Bend

LI11 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ 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

Study-reported

Thread embedding · 6 sessions over 90 days

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.2018.04.002 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI11, ST36, GB20, LV03 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.2018.04.001 ↗

Protocol (10 points)

100%

LU05 · LI04 · LI11 · ST09 · ST36 · SP06 · BL40 · PC06 · LV03 · GV26

Point 1 of 10

LU05Cubit Marsh

LU05 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ 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

Needling · 30 sessions over 6 weeks

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.2019.04.002 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI04, LI11, ST09, ST36, LV03 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.0255-2930.2018.04.001 ↗

Protocol (5 points)

100%

LI04 · LI11 · ST09 · ST36 · LV03

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 · 40 sessions over 8 weeks

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.2019.07.001 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI04, LI11, ST09, ST36, LV03 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.0255-2930.2018.04.001 ↗
Hot Spots™ Press Needles
Sterile 1.5mm press needles on 3M backing tape · 100 per box
$19.99
per box · choose the quantity at checkout
AcuiQ Self-Treatment Guide
Acupressure you can do at home, every protocol traced to a trial. – $12.99, free updates for life

How the studies delivered it

What the 12 studies behind the entries above ran, counted once per study. A record of the trials, not a recommendation.

  • Needling9 of 12
  • Acupressure1 of 12
  • Thread embedding1 of 12
  • Electrical stimulation on the skin1 of 12

Sessions: the 10 studies that gave a count ran a median of 27 (middle half 24 to 38).

Course: the 11 studies that gave a length ran a median of 8 weeks (middle half 5 weeks to 12 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.