Acupuncture Points for Irregular Menstruation

42 sourced protocols, each with its citation.

Each card names its evidence kind. What these labels mean

Protocol (10 points)

87%

SP04 · SP06 · SP10 · KD03 · KD06 · KD07 · PC06 · PC07 · LV03 · CV04

SP04Grandfather Grandson

SP04 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Spleen Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 公孫 (gōng sūn)

🎯 Location: In the depression the distal and inferior to the base of the 1st metatarsal bone at the junction of the red and white skin.

⚠️ Cautions: Contraindicated during pregnancy.

🛡️ Treats: Diarrhea, Jaundice, Depression, Vomiting, Abdominal Bloating

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

SP10Sea Of Blood

SP10 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Spleen Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 血海 (xuè hǎi)

🎯 Location: 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.

⚠️ Cautions: Anticoagulant therapy or a coagulopathy raises the risk of haematoma at the needling site – apply prolonged pressure on withdrawal. The precaution governs technique; bleeding disorders remain a treatable indication.

🛡️ Treats: Knee Pain, Absent Periods, Blood Stagnation, Pain, Hives

KD03Great Stream

KD03 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Kidney Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 太谿 (tài xī)

🎯 Location: In the depression the between tip of the medial malleolus and achilles tendon.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Chest Pain, Shortness of Breath, Heat Deficiency, Asthma

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

KD07Returning Flow

KD07 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Kidney Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 復溜 (fù liū)

🎯 Location: 2 thumb widths directly above the KD03 on the anterior border of the achilles tendon.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Chest Fullness, Damp, Edema, Cough Pus

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

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

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

CV04Original Qi Gate

CV04 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Conception Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 關元 (guān yuán)

🎯 Location: On the anterior midline 3 thumb widths below umbilicus.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid needling over the gravid uterus after the first trimester; where used in pregnancy, needle shallowly and only on a clear obstetric indication. Bleeding in pregnancy requires obstetric assessment.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Diarrhea, Anxiety, Shortness of Breath, Kidney Deficiency

Text or case report

Needling · 16 sessions

Points used in rotation, a subset each session

Point selection recorded in a clinical text or case report.

Chen Jirui, Nissi Wang (eds). Acupuncture Case Histories from China. Seattle: Eastland Press, 1988
Substantiated by a study. SP04, SP06, SP10, KD03, KD06, KD07, LV03, CV04 also appear in a study-reported protocol for the same search. That study did not test this prescription. doi:10.1136/bcr-2018-224725 ↗
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160 needles for this course · 2 boxes, $39.98

Protocol (6 points)

74%

SP04 · SP10 · KD14 · PC06 · LV01 · CV06

SP04Grandfather Grandson

SP04 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Spleen Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 公孫 (gōng sūn)

🎯 Location: In the depression the distal and inferior to the base of the 1st metatarsal bone at the junction of the red and white skin.

⚠️ Cautions: Contraindicated during pregnancy.

🛡️ Treats: Diarrhea, Jaundice, Depression, Vomiting, Abdominal Bloating

SP10Sea Of Blood

SP10 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Spleen Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 血海 (xuè hǎi)

🎯 Location: 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.

⚠️ Cautions: Anticoagulant therapy or a coagulopathy raises the risk of haematoma at the needling site – apply prolonged pressure on withdrawal. The precaution governs technique; bleeding disorders remain a treatable indication.

🛡️ Treats: Knee Pain, Absent Periods, Blood Stagnation, Pain, Hives

KD14Fourfold Fullness

KD14 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Kidney Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 四滿 (sì mǎn)

🎯 Location: 2 thumb widths below umbilicus 0.5 thumb widths lateral to the CV05.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution in pregnancy.

🛡️ Treats: Abdominal Pain, Absent Periods, Blood Stagnation, Uterine Prolapse, Urinary Problems

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

LV01Big Mound

LV01 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Liver Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 大敦 (dà dūn)

🎯 Location: On the lateral side of the terminal phalanx of the great the toe 0.1 thumb width from corner of the nail.

⚠️ Cautions: Anticoagulant therapy or a coagulopathy raises the risk of haematoma at the needling site – apply prolonged pressure on withdrawal. The precaution governs technique; bleeding disorders remain a treatable indication.

🛡️ Treats: Anxiety, Weakness, Constipation, Depression, Abdominal Bloating

CV06Sea Of Qi

CV06 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Conception Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 氣海 (qì hǎi)

🎯 Location: On the anterior midline 1.5 thumb widths below umbilicus.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid needling over the gravid uterus after the first trimester; where used in pregnancy, needle shallowly and only on a clear obstetric indication.

🛡️ Treats: Diarrhea, Shortness of Breath, Constipation, Yang Weakness, Abdominal Bloating

Study-reported

Needling · 30 sessions over 30 days

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1089/acu.2024.0053 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. SP04, SP10, KD14, CV06 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1136/bcr-2018-224725 ↗
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180 needles for this course · 2 boxes, $39.98

Protocol (14 points)

74%

LI04 · ST25 · ST29 · ST36 · SP04 · SP06 · SP09 · SP10 · KD07 · CV04 · CV06 · CV12 · GV20 · GV24

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

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

ST29Return

ST29 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Stomach Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 歸來 (guī lái)

🎯 Location: 4 thumb widths below umbilicus 2 thumb widths lateral to the CV03.

⚠️ 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: Absent Periods, Swelling, Pain, Uterine Prolapse, Infertility

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

SP04Grandfather Grandson

SP04 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Spleen Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 公孫 (gōng sūn)

🎯 Location: In the depression the distal and inferior to the base of the 1st metatarsal bone at the junction of the red and white skin.

⚠️ Cautions: Contraindicated during pregnancy.

🛡️ Treats: Diarrhea, Jaundice, Depression, Vomiting, Abdominal Bloating

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

SP09Yin Mound Spring

SP09 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Spleen Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 陰陵泉 (yīn líng quán)

🎯 Location: 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.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid in cases of knee inflammation.

🛡️ Treats: Heat Chest, Fever, Diarrhea, Shortness of Breath, Jaundice

SP10Sea Of Blood

SP10 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Spleen Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 血海 (xuè hǎi)

🎯 Location: 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.

⚠️ Cautions: Anticoagulant therapy or a coagulopathy raises the risk of haematoma at the needling site – apply prolonged pressure on withdrawal. The precaution governs technique; bleeding disorders remain a treatable indication.

🛡️ Treats: Knee Pain, Absent Periods, Blood Stagnation, Pain, Hives

KD07Returning Flow

KD07 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Kidney Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 復溜 (fù liū)

🎯 Location: 2 thumb widths directly above the KD03 on the anterior border of the achilles tendon.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Chest Fullness, Damp, Edema, Cough Pus

CV04Original Qi Gate

CV04 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Conception Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 關元 (guān yuán)

🎯 Location: On the anterior midline 3 thumb widths below umbilicus.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid needling over the gravid uterus after the first trimester; where used in pregnancy, needle shallowly and only on a clear obstetric indication. Bleeding in pregnancy requires obstetric assessment.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Diarrhea, Anxiety, Shortness of Breath, Kidney Deficiency

CV06Sea Of Qi

CV06 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Conception Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 氣海 (qì hǎi)

🎯 Location: On the anterior midline 1.5 thumb widths below umbilicus.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid needling over the gravid uterus after the first trimester; where used in pregnancy, needle shallowly and only on a clear obstetric indication.

🛡️ Treats: Diarrhea, Shortness of Breath, Constipation, Yang Weakness, Abdominal Bloating

CV12Stomach Centre

CV12 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Conception Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 中脘 (zhōng wǎn)

🎯 Location: On the anterior midline 4 thumb widths above the umbilicus.

⚠️ Cautions: 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, Shortness of Breath, Common Cold, Depression

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

GV24Spirit Court

GV24 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Governing Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 神庭 (shén tíng)

🎯 Location: 0.5 thumb widths directly above the midpoint of the anterior hairline.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Shortness of Breath, Dizziness, Palpitations, Depression

Study-reported

Needling + Electroacupuncture · 6 sessions

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000042537 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI04, ST29, ST36, SP04, SP06, SP09, SP10, KD07, CV04, CV06, GV20, GV24 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1136/bcr-2018-224725 ↗
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Protocol (4 points)

74%

LI04 · SP06 · HT07 · GV24

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

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

GV24Spirit Court

GV24 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Governing Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 神庭 (shén tíng)

🎯 Location: 0.5 thumb widths directly above the midpoint of the anterior hairline.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Shortness of Breath, Dizziness, Palpitations, Depression

Study-reported

Did better than another treatment

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1016/s0254-6272(09)60028-5 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI04, SP06, GV24 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.0000000000042537 ↗

Protocol (4 points)

74%

BL18 · BL23 · KD03 · LV03

BL18Liver Shu Point

BL18 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 肝俞 (gān shū)

🎯 Location: 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the GV08 at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 9th thoracic vertebra.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep perpendicular needling.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Chest Pain, Dizziness, Coughing Blood, Jaundice

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

KD03Great Stream

KD03 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Kidney Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 太谿 (tài xī)

🎯 Location: In the depression the between tip of the medial malleolus and achilles tendon.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Chest Pain, Shortness of Breath, Heat Deficiency, Asthma

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

Study-reported

Improved from baseline; no control group

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1016/s0254-6272(08)60007-2 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. BL18, BL23, LV03 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1177/21649561211021081 ↗

Protocol (25 points)

74%

LI04 · LI10 · ST36 · SP03 · SP06 · SP09 · SP10 · HT08 · SI03 · SI13 · BL10 · BL18 · BL20 · BL22 · BL23 · BL65 · PC06 · PC07 · GB20 · GB21 · GB34 · LV03 · GV14 · GV20 · MS14

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

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

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

SP03Great White

SP03 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Spleen Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 太白 (tài bái)

🎯 Location: Proximal and inferior to the 1st metatarsophalangeal joint in the depression of the junction of the red and white skin.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution in patients with cardiac arrhythmias.

🛡️ Treats: Diarrhea, Knee Pain, Constipation, Heat, Vomiting

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

SP09Yin Mound Spring

SP09 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Spleen Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 陰陵泉 (yīn líng quán)

🎯 Location: 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.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid in cases of knee inflammation.

🛡️ Treats: Heat Chest, Fever, Diarrhea, Shortness of Breath, Jaundice

SP10Sea Of Blood

SP10 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Spleen Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 血海 (xuè hǎi)

🎯 Location: 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.

⚠️ Cautions: Anticoagulant therapy or a coagulopathy raises the risk of haematoma at the needling site – apply prolonged pressure on withdrawal. The precaution governs technique; bleeding disorders remain a treatable indication.

🛡️ Treats: Knee Pain, Absent Periods, Blood Stagnation, Pain, Hives

HT08Lesser Mansion

HT08 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Heart Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 少府 (shào fǔ)

🎯 Location: When palm faces upward, point is between 4th and 5th metacarpal bones; when fist is made point is where tip of the little finger rests.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Chest Pain, Anxiety, Palpitations, Qi Deficiency, Common Cold

SI03Back Stream

SI03 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Small Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 後谿 (hòu xī)

🎯 Location: When loose fist is made point is on the ulnar end of the distal palmar crease proximal to the 5th metacarpophalangeal joint at the end of the transverse crease and junction of the red and white skin.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Knee Pain, Tinnitus, Jaundice, Common Cold

SI13Crooked Wall

SI13 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Small Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 曲垣 (qū yuán)

🎯 Location: On the medial extremity of the suprascapular fossa about midway between SI10 and spinous process of the 2nd thoracic vertebra.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Shoulder Pain, Contraction Shoulder, Benefit Shoulders, Benefit Scapula, Oppression Shoulder Sensation

BL10Celestial Pillar

BL10 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 天柱 (tiān zhù)

🎯 Location: 1.3 thumb widths lateral to the midpoint of the posterior hairline and in the depression on the lateral aspect of the trapezius.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution with vertebral artery.

🛡️ Treats: Dizziness, Wind, Pain, Epilepsy, Nasal Congestion

BL18Liver Shu Point

BL18 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 肝俞 (gān shū)

🎯 Location: 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the GV08 at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 9th thoracic vertebra.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep perpendicular needling.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Chest Pain, Dizziness, Coughing Blood, Jaundice

BL20Spleen Shu Point

BL20 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 脾俞 (pí shū)

🎯 Location: 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the GV06 at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 11th thoracic vertebra.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep perpendicular needling.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Fever, Poor Appetite, Diarrhea, Spleen Qi Deficiency

BL22Sanjiao Shu Point

BL22 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 三焦俞 (sān jiāo shū)

🎯 Location: 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the GV05 at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 1st lumbar vertebra.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep perpendicular needling.

🛡️ Treats: Stress, Fever, Diarrhea, Jaundice, Heat

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

BL65Restraining Bone

BL65 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 束骨 (shù gǔ)

🎯 Location: Posterior to the 5th metatarsophalangeal joint at the junction of the red and white skin.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Diarrhea, Heat, Depression, Back Pain

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

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

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

GB21Shoulder Well

GB21 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Gallbladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 肩井 (jiān jǐng)

🎯 Location: On the shoulder directly above the nipple at the midpoint of the line connecting GV14 and acromion the at the highest point of the shoulder.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep needling – risk of pneumothorax. 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: Cough, Shortness of Breath, Phlegm, Kidney Deficiency, Depression

GB34Yang Mound Spring

GB34 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Gallbladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 陽陵泉 (yáng líng quán)

🎯 Location: In the depression the anterior and inferior to the head of the fibula.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Knee Pain, Jaundice, Constipation, Vomiting

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

GV14Great Vertebra

GV14 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Governing Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 大椎 (dà zhuī)

🎯 Location: Below spinous process of the 7th cervical vertebra approximately at the level of the shoulders.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution with C7 vertebra.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Shortness of Breath, Weakness, Heat, Chest Fullness

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

MS14Lower-Lateral Line of Occiput

MS14 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Scalp Lines

🇨🇳 Chinese: 枕下旁線 (zhěn xià páng xiàn)

🎯 Location: On the lower occiput, lateral to the posterior midline.

Study-reported

Needling · 6 sessions over 120 days

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1177/21649561211021081 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI04, ST36, SP06, SP09, SP10, SI03, BL23, LV03, GV20 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1136/bcr-2018-224725 ↗
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Points cited for Irregular Menstruation

How often each point appears across the 42 entries ranked highest for Irregular Menstruation. Citation frequency, not a recommendation.

  • SP06Three Yin IntersectionSpleen Meridian22 of 42
  • CV04Original Qi GateConception Vessel21 of 42
  • CV06Sea Of QiConception Vessel17 of 42
  • LV03Great SurgeLiver Meridian14 of 42
  • BL23Kidney Shu PointBladder Meridian12 of 42
  • KD03Great StreamKidney Meridian12 of 42
  • SP10Sea Of BloodSpleen Meridian12 of 42
  • ST36Leg Three MilesStomach Meridian9 of 42
  • CV03Central PivotConception Vessel8 of 42
  • GV20100 ConvergencesGoverning Vessel8 of 42
  • LI04Junction ValleyLarge Intestine Meridian7 of 42
  • SP04Grandfather GrandsonSpleen Meridian6 of 42

Tested, no effect found

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

SP08 · SP10 · LV02 · LV05 – doi:10.1016/s0254-6272(09)60028-5 – No better than another treatment

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
  • Electroacupuncture1 of 12

Sessions: the 5 studies that gave a count ran a median of 18 (middle half 6 to 29).

Course: the 3 studies that gave a length ran a median of 6 weeks (middle half 36 days to 81 days).

After a treatment: what large safety surveys recorded, and which reactions need a doctor.

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