# Acupoints for Incomplete Bladder Emptying

2 sourced protocols for Incomplete Bladder Emptying. Canonical page: https://acuiq.com/symptoms/incomplete-bladder-emptying

## Protocols

| # | Points | Dosage | Frequency | Source | Kind | Caveat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SP06 (Three Yin Intersection), BL28 (Bladder Shu Point), BL32 (Second Bone Hole) | – | – | doi:10.2147/CIA.S37531 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 2 | ST28 (Waterway), CV02 (Curved Bone), CV04 (Original Qi Gate) | – | – | doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000020376 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 3 | BL23 (Kidney Shu Point), BL28 (Bladder Shu Point), BL32 (Second Bone Hole), CV03 (Central Pivot), CV04 (Original Qi Gate), GV03 (Yang Lumbar Gate), GV04 (Life Gate) | – | – | doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20230831-0004 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 4 | BL32 (Second Bone Hole), BL33 (Middle Bone Hole), BL35 (Meeting Of Yang) | – | – | doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20231216-k0001 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 5 | SP06 (Three Yin Intersection), CV03 (Central Pivot), CV04 (Original Qi Gate) | – | – | doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20231216-k0001 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 6 | ST36 (Leg Three Miles), SP06 (Three Yin Intersection), BL31 (Upper Bone Hole), BL32 (Second Bone Hole), BL33 (Middle Bone Hole), BL34 (Lower Bone Hole), BL57 (Mountain Support), KD01 (Bubbling Spring), CV03 (Central Pivot), CV04 (Original Qi Gate), CV06 (Sea Of Qi), CV08 (Spirit Palace Gate), GV20 (100 Convergences) | – | – | doi:10.16821/j.cnki.hsjx.2014.16.027 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 7 | ST36 (Leg Three Miles), SP09 (Yin Mound Spring), BL31 (Upper Bone Hole), BL32 (Second Bone Hole), BL33 (Middle Bone Hole), BL34 (Lower Bone Hole), CV03 (Central Pivot), CV04 (Original Qi Gate) | – | – | doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20221027-k0005 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 8 | KD11 (Pubic Bone), CV02 (Curved Bone), CV03 (Central Pivot), CV04 (Original Qi Gate), CV06 (Sea Of Qi), CV09 (Water Separation), CV10 (Lower Stomach), CV12 (Stomach Centre) | – | – | doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20250302-0001 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 9 | SP06 (Three Yin Intersection), CV03 (Central Pivot), CV04 (Original Qi Gate) | – | – | doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20240316-k0001 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 10 | SP06 (Three Yin Intersection), BL32 (Second Bone Hole), BL33 (Middle Bone Hole), CV02 (Curved Bone), CV03 (Central Pivot) | – | – | doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000036007 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 11 | BL32 (Second Bone Hole), BL33 (Middle Bone Hole), BL35 (Meeting Of Yang) | – | – | doi:10.1155/2013/543174 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 12 | ST37 (Upper Great Hollow), SP06 (Three Yin Intersection), SP09 (Yin Mound Spring), KD06 (Shining Sea) | – | – | doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000011623 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 13 | SP06 (Three Yin Intersection), BL28 (Bladder Shu Point), BL39 (Outside Of The Crease), CV03 (Central Pivot) | – | – | sacredlotus.com | web | Point selection published on a website. Not peer-reviewed – check it before relying on it. |
| 14 | CV03 (Central Pivot), CV04 (Original Qi Gate) | – | – | doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20251017-k0001 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 15 | GV20 (100 Convergences), GV26 (Philtrum) | – | – | doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20210504-k0002 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 16 | ST28 (Waterway), SP06 (Three Yin Intersection), CV04 (Original Qi Gate), CV06 (Sea Of Qi) | – | – | doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20210504-k0002 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 17 | ST28 (Waterway), ST36 (Leg Three Miles), SP06 (Three Yin Intersection), SP09 (Yin Mound Spring), KD03 (Great Stream), LV03 (Great Surge), CV03 (Central Pivot), CV04 (Original Qi Gate), CV06 (Sea Of Qi), GV20 (100 Convergences) | – | – | doi:10.1155/2020/2520483 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 18 | BL32 (Second Bone Hole), BL33 (Middle Bone Hole) | – | – | doi:10.13702/j.1000-0607.20250263 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 19 | SP06 (Three Yin Intersection), CV03 (Central Pivot), CV04 (Original Qi Gate), CV06 (Sea Of Qi) | – | – | doi:10.16448/j.cjtcm.2013.11.025 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 20 | LI04 (Junction Valley), ST28 (Waterway), ST36 (Leg Three Miles), SP06 (Three Yin Intersection), SP09 (Yin Mound Spring), SP10 (Sea Of Blood), BL22 (Sanjiao Shu Point), BL23 (Kidney Shu Point), BL28 (Bladder Shu Point), BL32 (Second Bone Hole), BL54 (Lowermost In Order), KD03 (Great Stream), LV03 (Great Surge), CV02 (Curved Bone), CV03 (Central Pivot), CV04 (Original Qi Gate), CV06 (Sea Of Qi), GV20 (100 Convergences) | – | – | doi:10.13288/j.11-2166/r.2013.23.017 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 21 | CV02 (Curved Bone), CV03 (Central Pivot), CV04 (Original Qi Gate), CV06 (Sea Of Qi) | – | – | doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20231222-k0002 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 22 | SP06 (Three Yin Intersection), BL28 (Bladder Shu Point), BL32 (Second Bone Hole) | – | – | doi:10.2147/cia.s37531 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 23 | BL32 (Second Bone Hole), BL35 (Meeting Of Yang), CV03 (Central Pivot), CV04 (Original Qi Gate) | – | – | doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20230302-k0005 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 24 | CV04 (Original Qi Gate), CV06 (Sea Of Qi), CV08 (Spirit Palace Gate) | – | – | doi:10.56434/j.arch.esp.urol.20257809.157 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 25 | BL32 (Second Bone Hole), BL33 (Middle Bone Hole), GB20 (Wind Pool), GV20 (100 Convergences), GV24 (Spirit Court), XH01A (Four Spirit Brightness), XH01B (Four Spirit Brightness), XH01C (Four Spirit Brightness), XH01D (Four Spirit Brightness), XH05 (Supreme Yang (Sun)) | – | – | doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20250804-k0002 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 26 | SP06 (Three Yin Intersection), BL23 (Kidney Shu Point), BL32 (Second Bone Hole), BL33 (Middle Bone Hole), BL35 (Meeting Of Yang) | – | – | doi:10.3389/fped.2023.1194651 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 27 | BL31 (Upper Bone Hole), BL32 (Second Bone Hole), BL33 (Middle Bone Hole), BL34 (Lower Bone Hole), KD01 (Bubbling Spring), CV08 (Spirit Palace Gate) | – | – | doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.13261 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 28 | ST28 (Waterway), SP06 (Three Yin Intersection), SP09 (Yin Mound Spring), CV02 (Curved Bone) | – | – | doi:10.1016/j.jopan.2023.01.003 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 29 | ST28 (Waterway), SP06 (Three Yin Intersection), SP09 (Yin Mound Spring), CV03 (Central Pivot), CV04 (Original Qi Gate), CV06 (Sea Of Qi), GV20 (100 Convergences) | – | – | doi:10.1155/2020/2520483 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 30 | AT12 (Nervous Subcortex), CVC06 (Spleen), CYC01 (Stomach), IAC03 (Sympathetic), TF08 (Uterus (Female) / Male Internal Genital (Male)), TF09 (Pelvis (Pelvic Cavity)), TF10 (Shenmen) | – | – | doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.2019.07.010 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 31 | CYC11 (Kidney), CYC13 (Bladder), HX03 (Urethra), IAC03 (Sympathetic) | – | – | doi:10.3233/THC-220660 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 32 | BL28 (Bladder Shu Point), BL54 (Lowermost In Order), BL60 (Kunlun (Mountains)), CV02 (Curved Bone), CV03 (Central Pivot) | – | – | doi:10.3831/kpi.2024.27.2.123 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 33 | SP06 (Three Yin Intersection), SP09 (Yin Mound Spring), BL23 (Kidney Shu Point), BL28 (Bladder Shu Point), BL32 (Second Bone Hole), BL39 (Outside Of The Crease), CV02 (Curved Bone), CV03 (Central Pivot), CV04 (Original Qi Gate) | – | – | Zhang Dongshu. Thirty-six Cases of Urinary Retention Treated by Acupuncture. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2008, 28(2): 83-85 | text | Point selection recorded in a clinical text or case report. |
| 34 | CV03 (Central Pivot), CV04 (Original Qi Gate) | – | – | Yan Y, Tao L, Fang J, et al. Clinical curative effect of fuzi-cake-separated moxibustion for preventing dysuria after operation for lower limb fracture. J Tradit Chin Med 2014; 34(5): 544-549 | text | Point selection recorded in a clinical text or case report. |
| 35 | SP06 (Three Yin Intersection), CV03 (Central Pivot) | – | – | JIANG Ning-qun. The Application of Sanyinjiao (SP 6) for Acupuncture Treatment of Gynecological and Obstetrical Disorders. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2010, 30(1): 51-52 | text | Point selection recorded in a clinical text or case report. |
| 36 | SP06 (Three Yin Intersection), CV03 (Central Pivot), CV04 (Original Qi Gate) | – | – | 谭小华梁建厂青姚朱文红唐咏玫. 苍龟探穴针法治疗良性前列腺增生症的临床效果观察. 中国当代医药 ., 2016 [CNKI] | text | Point selection recorded in a clinical text or case report. |
| 37 | SP06 (Three Yin Intersection), CV03 (Central Pivot), CV04 (Original Qi Gate), CV06 (Sea Of Qi) | – | – | 徐鹏斐程梅. 穴位艾灸治疗急性脊髓炎合并尿潴留患者的效果观察. , [CNKI] | text | Point selection recorded in a clinical text or case report. |
| 38 | SP06 (Three Yin Intersection), BL28 (Bladder Shu Point), BL32 (Second Bone Hole) | – | – | Yu KW et al.. Effects of electroacupuncture on recent stroke inpatients with incomplete bladder emptying: a preliminary study. Clinical Interventions in Aging, 2012 | text | Point selection recorded in a clinical text or case report. |
| 39 | BL23 (Kidney Shu Point), TB04 (Yang Pool), CV04 (Original Qi Gate), GV04 (Life Gate), GV20 (100 Convergences) | – | – | sacredlotus.com | web | Point selection published on a website. Not peer-reviewed – check it before relying on it. |
| 40 | ST28 (Waterway), SP06 (Three Yin Intersection), KD05 (Water Spring), CV03 (Central Pivot) | – | – | sacredlotus.com | web | Point selection published on a website. Not peer-reviewed – check it before relying on it. |
| 41 | BL40 (Middle Of The Crease) | – | – | doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20220311-k0005 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 42 | ST28 (Waterway) | – | – | doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20230603-k0001 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |

## Point locations

| Point | Name | Meridian | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| SP06 | Three Yin Intersection | Spleen Meridian | 3 thumb widths directly above the tip of the medial malleolus posterior to the medial border of the tibia. |
| BL28 | Bladder Shu Point | Bladder Meridian | 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the du mai at the level of the 2nd posterior sacral foramen. |
| BL32 | Second Bone Hole | Bladder Meridian | On the sacrum medial and inferior to the posterior superior iliac spine just at the 2nd posterior sacral foramen. |
| ST28 | Waterway | Stomach Meridian | 3 thumb widths below umbilicus 2 thumb widths lateral to the CV04. |
| CV02 | Curved Bone | Conception Vessel | On the midpoint of the upper border of the symphysis pubis. |
| CV04 | Original Qi Gate | Conception Vessel | On the anterior midline 3 thumb widths below umbilicus. |
| BL23 | Kidney Shu Point | Bladder Meridian | 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the GV04 at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 2nd lumbar vertebra. |
| CV03 | Central Pivot | Conception Vessel | On the anterior midline 4 thumb widths below umbilicus. |
| GV03 | Yang Lumbar Gate | Governing Vessel | Below spinous process of the 4th lumbar vertebra at the level with iliac crest. |
| GV04 | Life Gate | Governing Vessel | Below spinous process of the 2nd lumbar vertebra. |
| BL33 | Middle Bone Hole | Bladder Meridian | On the sacrum medial and inferior to the BL32 just at the 3rd posterior sacral foramen. |
| BL35 | Meeting Of Yang | Bladder Meridian | On the sacrum 0.5 thumb widths lateral to the tip of the coccyx. |
| ST36 | Leg Three Miles | Stomach Meridian | 3 thumb widths below ST35, 1 finger breadth (middle finger) from anterior border of the tibia. |
| BL31 | Upper Bone Hole | Bladder Meridian | On the sacrum at the midpoint between posterior superior iliac spine and posterior midline just at the 1st posterior sacral foramen. |
| BL34 | Lower Bone Hole | Bladder Meridian | On the sacrum medial and inferior to the BL33 just at the 4th posterior sacral foramen. |
| BL57 | Mountain Support | Bladder Meridian | On the posterior midline of the leg between BL40 and BL60 in the pointed depression the formed below gastrocnemius belly when leg is stretched or heel is lifted. |
| KD01 | Bubbling Spring | Kidney Meridian | On the sole in the depression the when foot is in the plantar flexion the approximately at the junction of the anterior 1/3 and posterior 2/3 of the line connecting base of the 2nd and 3rd toes and heel. |
| CV06 | Sea Of Qi | Conception Vessel | On the anterior midline 1.5 thumb widths below umbilicus. |
| CV08 | Spirit Palace Gate | Conception Vessel | In the center of the umbilicus. |
| GV20 | 100 Convergences | Governing Vessel | On the midline of the head 5 thumb widths directly above the midpoint of the anterior hairline approximately on the midpoint of the line connecting apex of the ears. |
| SP09 | Yin Mound Spring | Spleen Meridian | On the lower border of the medial condyle of the tibia in the depression the posterior and inferior to the medial condyle of the tibia. |
| KD11 | Pubic Bone | Kidney Meridian | 5 thumb widths below umbilicus on the superior border of the symphysis pubis 0.5 thumb widths lateral to the CV02. |
| CV09 | Water Separation | Conception Vessel | On the anterior midline 1 thumb width above the umbilicus. |
| CV10 | Lower Stomach | Conception Vessel | On the anterior midline 2 thumb widths above the umbilicus. |
| CV12 | Stomach Centre | Conception Vessel | On the anterior midline 4 thumb widths above the umbilicus. |
| ST37 | Upper Great Hollow | Stomach Meridian | 6 thumb widths below ST35, 1 finger breadth (middle finger) from anterior border of the tibia. |
| KD06 | Shining Sea | Kidney Meridian | In the depression the below tip of the medial malleolus. |
| BL39 | Outside Of The Crease | Bladder Meridian | Lateral to the BL40 on the medial border of the tendon of the biceps femoris. |
| GV26 | Philtrum | Governing Vessel | At the junction of the upper ⅓ and middle ⅓ of the philtrum. |
| KD03 | Great Stream | Kidney Meridian | In the depression the between tip of the medial malleolus and achilles tendon. |
| LV03 | Great Surge | Liver Meridian | On the dorsum of the foot in the depression the distal to the junction of the 1st and 2nd metatarsal bones. |
| LI04 | Junction Valley | Large Intestine Meridian | On the dorsum of the hand between 1st & 2nd metacarpal bones approximately in the middle of the 2nd metacarpal bone on the radial side. |
| SP10 | Sea Of Blood | Spleen Meridian | When knee is flexed point is 2 thumb widths above the mediosuperior border of the patella on the bulge of the medial portion of the quadriceps femoris. |
| BL22 | Sanjiao Shu Point | Bladder Meridian | 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the GV05 at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 1st lumbar vertebra. |
| BL54 | Lowermost In Order | Bladder Meridian | On the level of the 4th posterior sacral foramen 3 thumb widths lateral to the median sacral crest. |
| GB20 | Wind Pool | Gallbladder Meridian | In the depression the between upper portion of the scm and trapezius on the same level with GV16. |
| GV24 | Spirit Court | Governing Vessel | 0.5 thumb widths directly above the midpoint of the anterior hairline. |
| XH01A | Four Spirit Brightness | Extra Points: Head | Four points at the vertex of the scalp, grouped around baihui du-20 & located 1 thumb width anterior, posterior & lateral to the it. |
| XH01B | Four Spirit Brightness | Extra Points: Head | Four points at the vertex of the scalp, grouped around baihui du-20 & located 1 thumb width anterior, posterior & lateral to the it. |
| XH01C | Four Spirit Brightness | Extra Points: Head | Four points at the vertex of the scalp, grouped around baihui du-20 & located 1 thumb width anterior, posterior & lateral to the it. |
| XH01D | Four Spirit Brightness | Extra Points: Head | Four points at the vertex of the scalp, grouped around baihui du-20 & located 1 thumb width anterior, posterior & lateral to the it. |
| XH05 | Supreme Yang (Sun) | Extra Points: Head | At the temple, in the tender depression the approximately 1 thumb width posterior to the midpoint between the lateral extremity of the eyebrow & the outer canthus of the eye. |
| AT12 | Nervous Subcortex | Auricular Points | On both ears, at the lower 1/2 of the interior wall of the Antitragus; in the midpoint between Thalamus and the beginning of the medial lower line of the interior Antitragus. |
| CVC06 | Spleen | Auricular Points | At the midpoint of a line from Stomach to the notch between Antihelix and Antitragus. |
| CYC01 | Stomach | Auricular Points | At the area where Helix Crus disappears. |
| IAC03 | Sympathetic | Auricular Points | On both ears, at the end of the upper edge of the lower Crus of the Antihelix. |
| TF08 | Uterus (Female) / Male Internal Genital (Male) | Auricular Points | At the front edge of the depression in the Triangular Fossa. |
| TF09 | Pelvis (Pelvic Cavity) | Auricular Points | At the center of the triangular fossa where the upper and lower Crus of the Antihelix originates. |
| TF10 | Shenmen | Auricular Points | At the midpoint between Pelvis and Hepatitis. |
| CYC11 | Kidney | Auricular Points | At the superanterior corner of Cymba Concha. |
| CYC13 | Bladder | Auricular Points | At the junction of the anterior 1/3 and middle 1/3 of the line from Prostate and Ureter. |
| HX03 | Urethra | Auricular Points | On both ears, on the Helix edge corresponding to the same level as the Inferior Crus of the Antihelix. |
| BL60 | Kunlun (Mountains) | Bladder Meridian | In the depression the between tip of the external malleolus and achilles tendon. |
| TB04 | Yang Pool | Triple Burner Meridian | On the transverse crease of the dorsum of the wrist in the depression the lateral to the tendon of the extensor digitorum communis. |
| KD05 | Water Spring | Kidney Meridian | 1 thumb width directly below KD03 in the depression of the medial side of the tuberosity of the calcaneum. |
| BL40 | Middle Of The Crease | Bladder Meridian | Midpoint of the transverse crease of the popliteal fossa between tendons of the biceps femoris and semitendinosus. |

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AcuiQ-authored prose (symptom and meridian descriptions, the wiki, the auricular crosswalk) is licensed CC-BY-4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/. The assembled protocol compilation is not: build on it with attribution, but do not redistribute it whole as a dataset – https://acuiq.com/terms. The underlying findings are the cited sources' claims – each entry carries its citation; verify against the source before relying on it. Not medical advice: https://acuiq.com/terms