Acupuncture Points for Insomnia Chronic

39 sourced protocols, each with its citation.

Each card names its evidence kind. What these labels mean

Protocol (4 points)

100%

SP06 · HT07 · GB13 · GV20

SP06Three Yin Intersection

SP06 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Spleen Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 三陰交 (sān yīn jiāo)

🎯 Location: 3 thumb widths directly above the tip of the medial malleolus posterior to the medial border of the tibia.

⚠️ 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: Diarrhea, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Palpitations, Abdominal Bloating

HT07Spirit Gate

HT07 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Heart Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 神門 (shén mén)

🎯 Location: At the ulnar end of the transverse crease of the wrist in the depression on the radial side of the tendon of the flexor carpi ulnaris.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution in cardiac arrhythmias.

🛡️ Treats: Anxiety, Shortness of Breath, Palpitations, Common Cold, Heat

GB13Spirit Root

GB13 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Gallbladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 本神 (běn shén)

🎯 Location: 0.5 thumb widths within the hairline of the forehead 3 thumb widths lateral to the GV24.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications for head points.

🛡️ Treats: Chest Pain, Phlegm, Wind, Deviation Eye, Facial Droop

GV20100 Convergences

GV20 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Governing Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 百會 (bǎi huì)

🎯 Location: 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.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Chest Pain, Palpitations, Jaundice, Qi Deficiency

Study-reported

Needling · 24 sessions over 4 weeks

Did better than another treatment

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20240613-k0006 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. SP06, HT07, GV20 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000009471 ↗
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Protocol (7 points)

100%

LI04 · ST36 · SP06 · HT07 · PC06 · LV03 · GV20

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

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

SP06Three Yin Intersection

SP06 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Spleen Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 三陰交 (sān yīn jiāo)

🎯 Location: 3 thumb widths directly above the tip of the medial malleolus posterior to the medial border of the tibia.

⚠️ 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: Diarrhea, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Palpitations, Abdominal Bloating

HT07Spirit Gate

HT07 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Heart Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 神門 (shén mén)

🎯 Location: At the ulnar end of the transverse crease of the wrist in the depression on the radial side of the tendon of the flexor carpi ulnaris.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution in cardiac arrhythmias.

🛡️ Treats: Anxiety, Shortness of Breath, Palpitations, Common Cold, Heat

PC06Inner Gate

PC06 acupoint
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🗺️ 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

LV03Great Surge

LV03 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Liver Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 太衝 (tài chōng)

🎯 Location: On the dorsum of the foot in the depression the distal to the junction of the 1st and 2nd metatarsal bones.

⚠️ Cautions: Monitor blood pressure and avoid strong stimulation where hypertension is uncontrolled or unstable; hypertensive crisis is a medical emergency.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Diarrhea, Anxiety, Shortness of Breath, Sweating

GV20100 Convergences

GV20 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Governing Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 百會 (bǎi huì)

🎯 Location: 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.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Chest Pain, Palpitations, Jaundice, Qi Deficiency

Study-reported

Needling · a 12-week course

Improved from baseline; no control group

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000009471 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. SP06, HT07, PC06, GV20 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1155/2020/5630130 ↗
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Protocol (6 points)

100%

SP06 · HT07 · BL62 · KD06 · PC06 · GV20

SP06Three Yin Intersection

SP06 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Spleen Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 三陰交 (sān yīn jiāo)

🎯 Location: 3 thumb widths directly above the tip of the medial malleolus posterior to the medial border of the tibia.

⚠️ 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: Diarrhea, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Palpitations, Abdominal Bloating

HT07Spirit Gate

HT07 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Heart Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 神門 (shén mén)

🎯 Location: At the ulnar end of the transverse crease of the wrist in the depression on the radial side of the tendon of the flexor carpi ulnaris.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution in cardiac arrhythmias.

🛡️ Treats: Anxiety, Shortness of Breath, Palpitations, Common Cold, Heat

BL62Extending Vessel

BL62 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 申脈 (shēn mài)

🎯 Location: In the depression the directly below external malleolus.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Sweating, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Palpitations

KD06Shining Sea

KD06 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Kidney Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 照海 (zhào hǎi)

🎯 Location: In the depression the below tip of the medial malleolus.

⚠️ 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: Heat Deficiency, Dizziness, Constipation, Chest Fullness, Abdominal Bloating

PC06Inner Gate

PC06 acupoint
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🗺️ 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

GV20100 Convergences

GV20 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Governing Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 百會 (bǎi huì)

🎯 Location: 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.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Chest Pain, Palpitations, Jaundice, Qi Deficiency

Study-reported

Electroacupuncture

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1155/2020/5630130 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. SP06, HT07, BL62, KD06, GV20 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.0255-2930.20230501-k0004 ↗

Protocol (7 points)

100%

SP06 · HT07 · BL15 · BL23 · BL62 · KD06 · GV20

SP06Three Yin Intersection

SP06 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Spleen Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 三陰交 (sān yīn jiāo)

🎯 Location: 3 thumb widths directly above the tip of the medial malleolus posterior to the medial border of the tibia.

⚠️ 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: Diarrhea, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Palpitations, Abdominal Bloating

HT07Spirit Gate

HT07 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Heart Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 神門 (shén mén)

🎯 Location: At the ulnar end of the transverse crease of the wrist in the depression on the radial side of the tendon of the flexor carpi ulnaris.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution in cardiac arrhythmias.

🛡️ Treats: Anxiety, Shortness of Breath, Palpitations, Common Cold, Heat

BL15Heart Shu Point

BL15 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 心俞 (xīn shū)

🎯 Location: 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the GV11 at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 5th thoracic vertebra.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep perpendicular needling – risk of pneumothorax. New, worsening or unstable cardiac symptoms need medical assessment before treatment.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Chest Pain, Anxiety, Sweating, Coughing Blood

BL23Kidney Shu Point

BL23 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 腎俞 (shèn shū)

🎯 Location: 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the GV04 at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 2nd lumbar vertebra.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep perpendicular needling.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Diarrhea, Asthma, Tinnitus, Qi Deficiency

BL62Extending Vessel

BL62 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 申脈 (shēn mài)

🎯 Location: In the depression the directly below external malleolus.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Sweating, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Palpitations

KD06Shining Sea

KD06 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Kidney Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 照海 (zhào hǎi)

🎯 Location: In the depression the below tip of the medial malleolus.

⚠️ 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: Heat Deficiency, Dizziness, Constipation, Chest Fullness, Abdominal Bloating

GV20100 Convergences

GV20 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Governing Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 百會 (bǎi huì)

🎯 Location: 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.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Chest Pain, Palpitations, Jaundice, Qi Deficiency

Study-reported

Needling · 20 sessions over 4 weeks

Did better than another treatment

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20230501-k0004 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. SP06, HT07, BL15, BL23, BL62, KD06 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.2024.000169 ↗
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Protocol (4 points)

100%

HT03 · HT07 · PC03 · PC07

HT03Lesser Sea

HT03 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Heart Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 少海 (shào hǎi)

🎯 Location: With elbow flexed, at the midpoint of the line connecting medial end of the cubital crease and medial epicondyle of the humerus.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution with ulnar nerve.

🛡️ Treats: Phlegm, Heat, Chest Fullness, Pain, Epilepsy

HT07Spirit Gate

HT07 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Heart Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 神門 (shén mén)

🎯 Location: At the ulnar end of the transverse crease of the wrist in the depression on the radial side of the tendon of the flexor carpi ulnaris.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution in cardiac arrhythmias.

🛡️ Treats: Anxiety, Shortness of Breath, Palpitations, Common Cold, Heat

PC03Marsh At The Bend

PC03 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Pericardium Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 曲澤 (qū zé)

🎯 Location: On the transverse cubital crease at the ulnar side of the tendon of the biceps brachii.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution with median nerve and brachial artery.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Diarrhea, Shortness of Breath, Coughing Blood, Palpitations

PC07Great Mound

PC07 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Pericardium Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 大陵 (dà líng)

🎯 Location: In the middle of the transverse crease of the wrist between tendons of the palmaris longus and flexor carpi radialis.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Chest Pain, Fever, Anxiety, Palpitations, Jaundice

Study-reported

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.27127/d.cnki.ghlzu.2023.000646 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. HT07 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.0255-2930.20240613-k0006 ↗

Protocol (2 points)

100%

HT07 · GV20

HT07Spirit Gate

HT07 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Heart Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 神門 (shén mén)

🎯 Location: At the ulnar end of the transverse crease of the wrist in the depression on the radial side of the tendon of the flexor carpi ulnaris.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution in cardiac arrhythmias.

🛡️ Treats: Anxiety, Shortness of Breath, Palpitations, Common Cold, Heat

GV20100 Convergences

GV20 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Governing Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 百會 (bǎi huì)

🎯 Location: 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.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Chest Pain, Palpitations, Jaundice, Qi Deficiency

Study-reported

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.19917/j.cnki.1005-0779.024110 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. HT07, GV20 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.0255-2930.20240613-k0006 ↗
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Related symptoms

Often treated alongside Insomnia Chronic:

Points cited for Insomnia Chronic

How often each point appears across the 39 entries ranked highest for Insomnia Chronic. Citation frequency, not a recommendation.

  • HT07Spirit GateHeart Meridian34 of 39
  • GV20100 ConvergencesGoverning Vessel30 of 39
  • SP06Three Yin IntersectionSpleen Meridian26 of 39
  • KD06Shining SeaKidney Meridian14 of 39
  • PC06Inner GatePericardium Meridian11 of 39
  • XH16Peaceful SleepExtra Points: Head10 of 39
  • BL62Extending VesselBladder Meridian9 of 39
  • XH01AFour Spirit BrightnessExtra Points: Head9 of 39
  • XH01BFour Spirit BrightnessExtra Points: Head9 of 39
  • XH01CFour Spirit BrightnessExtra Points: Head9 of 39
  • XH01DFour Spirit BrightnessExtra Points: Head9 of 39
  • XH03Hall Of Impression Or Seal HallExtra Points: Head7 of 39

Tested, no effect found

These studies tested the points below for Insomnia Chronic and found no effect. They are not counted above.

SP06 · HT07 · BL62 · KD06 · GV20 · XH01A · XH01B · XH01C · XH01D – doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20230719-k0001 – No better than another treatment

GV20 · GV24 · XH03 – doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20200704-k0001 – No better than another treatment

SP06 · HT07 · PC06 · GV20 · XH03 · XH16 · AT07 · AT12 · CVC01 · TF10 – doi:10.5935/1984-0063.20220053 – No better than another treatment

Registered, results not reported

These trials registered a protocol for Insomnia Chronic and have not reported results. They are not counted above.

HT07 – doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000023807

LI04 · SP06 · HT07 · BL62 · KD06 · PC06 · LV03 · GV20 · GV24 · XH01A · XH01B · XH01C · XH01D · XH03 · XH16 – doi:10.3389/fneur.2026.1835295

SP06 · HT07 · PC06 – doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2026.1814245

SP06 · HT07 · PC06 · GV20 · XH03 · XH16 – doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1277133

SP06 · HT07 · PC06 · GV20 · XH01A · XH01B · XH01C · XH01D · XH16 – doi:10.1002/hbm.70183

ST36 · CV12 · GV20 – doi:10.1186/s13063-021-05332-3

SP06 · HT07 · GV20 · GV24 · XH03 – doi:10.1186/s13063-022-06012-6

HT07 · KD04 · GB39 · GV20 · GV24 · XH01A · XH01B · XH01C · XH01D – doi:10.3389/fneur.2024.1403785

BL62 · KD06 · GV20 · XH01A · XH01B · XH01C · XH01D – doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2024-095833

How the studies delivered it

What the 27 studies behind the entries above ran, counted once per study. A record of the trials, not a recommendation.

  • Needling16 of 27
  • Electroacupuncture7 of 27
  • Electrical stimulation on the skin1 of 27
  • Laser1 of 27

Sessions: the 19 studies that gave a count ran a median of 12 (middle half 12 to 20).

Course: the 18 studies that gave a length ran a median of 4 weeks (middle half 4 weeks to 4 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.