Acupuncture Points for Inflammatory Bowel Disease

5 sourced protocols, each with its citation.

Points cited for Inflammatory Bowel Disease

How often each point appears across the 5 entries ranked highest for Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Citation frequency, not a recommendation.

  • ST36Leg Three MilesStomach Meridian4 of 5
  • ST25Celestial PivotStomach Meridian3 of 5
  • BL25Large Intestine Shu PointBladder Meridian2 of 5
  • CV04Original Qi GateConception Vessel2 of 5
  • LI04Junction ValleyLarge Intestine Meridian2 of 5
  • LI10Arm Three MilesLarge Intestine Meridian2 of 5
  • PC06Inner GatePericardium Meridian2 of 5
  • ST37Upper Great HollowStomach Meridian2 of 5
  • BL15Heart Shu PointBladder Meridian1 of 5
  • BL17Diaphragm Shu PointBladder Meridian1 of 5
  • BL18Liver Shu PointBladder Meridian1 of 5
  • BL19Gallbladder Shu PointBladder Meridian1 of 5

Each card names its evidence kind. What these labels mean

Protocol (3 points)

100%

LI10 · ST36 · PC06

Point 1 of 3

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

Study-reported

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1097/MEG.0000000000003034
Corroborated by a second study. ST36 also appears in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.19879/j.cnki.1005-5304.202209682

Protocol (14 points)

100%

LI04 · ST23 · ST24 · ST25 · ST26 · ST27 · ST28 · SP03 · SP04 · SP05 · KD02 · KD03 · KD04 · KD05

Point 1 of 14

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

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1016/j.jaim.2024.101080
Corroborated by a second study. LI04, ST25 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.27044/d.cnki.ggzzu.2024.000867

Protocol (5 points)

100%

ST25 · ST36 · ST37 · BL25 · CV04

Point 1 of 5

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

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.19879/j.cnki.1005-5304.202209682
Corroborated by a second study. ST25, ST36, ST37, BL25, CV04 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.27044/d.cnki.ggzzu.2024.000867

Protocol (19 points)

100%

LI04 · ST25 · ST36 · ST37 · ST39 · SP09 · BL15 · BL17 · BL18 · BL19 · BL25 · LV03 · CV04 · CV06 · CV09 · CV10 · CV12 · GV20 · XH03

Point 1 of 19

LI04Junction Valley

LI04 acupoint
Click to enlarge

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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

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.27044/d.cnki.ggzzu.2024.000867
Corroborated by a second study. ST25, ST36, ST37, BL25, CV04 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.19879/j.cnki.1005-5304.202209682

Protocol (3 points)

100%

LI10 · ST36 · PC06

Point 1 of 3

LI10Arm Three Miles

LI10 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ 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

Study-reported

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1097/MEG.0000000000003034
Corroborated by a second study. ST36 also appears in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.19879/j.cnki.1005-5304.202209682
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Using Acupoints for Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Self-Treatment Guidelines

  • Locate acupoints using anatomical landmarks
  • Apply firm, steady pressure for 1-3 minutes
  • Treat 2-3 times daily for best results

When to Seek Professional Help

  • Severe or persistent Inflammatory Bowel Disease
  • Symptoms worsen despite treatment
  • If you have underlying health conditions

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