Acupuncture Points for Irritability

27 sourced protocols, each with its citation.

Each card names its evidence kind. What these labels mean

Protocol (3 points)

100%

LI04 · SP06 · LV05

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

LV05Woodworm Channel

LV05 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Liver Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 蠡溝 (lí gōu)

🎯 Location: 5 thumb widths above the tip of the medial malleolus on the midline of the medial surface of the tibia.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Anxiety, Palpitations, Common Cold, Depression, Swelling

Study-reported

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1016/s0254-6272(09)60043-1 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI04 also appears in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1016/s0254-6272(09)60083-2 ↗

Protocol (2 points)

100%

ST43 · LV05

ST43Sunken Valley

ST43 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Stomach Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 陷谷 (xiàn gǔ)

🎯 Location: In the depression the distal to the junction of the 2nd and 3rd metatarsal bones.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Common Cold, Chest Fullness, Abdominal Bloating, Abdominal Pain

LV05Woodworm Channel

LV05 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Liver Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 蠡溝 (lí gōu)

🎯 Location: 5 thumb widths above the tip of the medial malleolus on the midline of the medial surface of the tibia.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Anxiety, Palpitations, Common Cold, Depression, Swelling

Study-reported

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1016/s0254-6272(09)60043-1 ↗
Not corroborated. No other study in the index uses any of these points for this search.

Protocol (4 points)

100%

LI04 · ST08 · GB20 · LV03

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

ST08Head Corner

ST08 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Stomach Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 頭維 (tóu wéi)

🎯 Location: On the lateral side of the head, 0.5 thumb widths above the anterior hairline at the corner of the forehead & 4.5 thumb widths lateral to the midline of the head.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Shortness of Breath, Dizziness, Vomiting, Wind

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

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

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1016/s0254-6272(09)60083-2 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI04 also appears in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1016/s0254-6272(09)60043-1 ↗

Protocol (5 points)

100%

HT07 · HT08 · KD03 · KD06 · PC07

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

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

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

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

Needling · 6 sessions over 2 weeks

No better than sham needling

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1093/ecam/nem179 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. HT07, KD06 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1155/2015/578972 ↗
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Protocol (9 points)

100%

SP06 · HT07 · BL15 · BL23 · BL32 · PC06 · GB34 · LV03 · 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

BL32Second Bone Hole

BL32 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 次髎 (cì liáo)

🎯 Location: On the sacrum medial and inferior to the posterior superior iliac spine just at the 2nd posterior sacral foramen.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution in sacroiliac dysfunction.

🛡️ Treats: Constipation, Pain, Urinary Retention, Infertility, Sciatica

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

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

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

Improved from baseline; no control group

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1016/j.urology.2010.03.033 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. SP06, HT07, PC06, LV03, GV20 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.27740/d.cnki.gqhdx.2024.000454 ↗
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Protocol (4 points)

100%

GB08 · GB09 · GV23 · GV24

GB08Leading Valley

GB08 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Gallbladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 率谷 (shuài gǔ)

🎯 Location: Superior to the apex of the auricle 1.5 thumb widths within the hairline.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications for head points.

🛡️ Treats: Phlegm, Dizziness, Vomiting, Wind, Pain

GB09Heavenly Surge

GB09 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Gallbladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 天衝 (tiān chōng)

🎯 Location: Directly above the posterior border of the auricle 2 thumb widths within the hairline about 0.5 thumb widths posterior to the GB08.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications for head points.

🛡️ Treats: Anxiety, Tinnitus, Palpitations, Swelling, Epilepsy

GV23Upper Star

GV23 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Governing Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 上星 (shàng xīng)

🎯 Location: 1 thumb width directly above the midpoint of the anterior hairline.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Depression, Wind, Redness, Swelling, Malaria

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

Improved from baseline; no control group

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.7453/gahmj.2014.034 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. GV24 also appears in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000036572 ↗
Press Needles
24 needles for this course · 1 box, $19.99
AcuiQ Self-Treatment Guide
Acupressure you can do at home, every protocol traced to a trial. – $12.99, free updates for life

Related symptoms

Often treated alongside Irritability:

Points cited for Irritability

How often each point appears across the 27 entries ranked highest for Irritability. Citation frequency, not a recommendation.

  • SP06Three Yin IntersectionSpleen Meridian12 of 27
  • CV12Stomach CentreConception Vessel10 of 27
  • PC06Inner GatePericardium Meridian10 of 27
  • CV17Chest CentreConception Vessel8 of 27
  • HT07Spirit GateHeart Meridian8 of 27
  • ST36Leg Three MilesStomach Meridian8 of 27
  • LV03Great SurgeLiver Meridian7 of 27
  • GB20Wind PoolGallbladder Meridian6 of 27
  • ST25Celestial PivotStomach Meridian6 of 27
  • CV06Sea Of QiConception Vessel5 of 27
  • GV20100 ConvergencesGoverning Vessel5 of 27
  • KD06Shining SeaKidney Meridian5 of 27

Tested, no effect found

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

ST24 · ST26 · SP15 · KD17 · CV04 · CV06 · CV10 · CV12 – doi:10.1155/2015/578972 – No better than another treatment

Registered, results not reported

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

LI04 · ST36 · SP06 · HT07 · SI19 · KD03 · KD07 · GB20 · GB34 · GB39 · LV03 · LV05 · CV04 · GV20 – doi:10.1186/1745-6215-15-198

How the studies delivered it

What the 16 studies behind the entries above ran, counted once per study. A record of the trials, not a recommendation.

  • Needling8 of 16
  • Electroacupuncture3 of 16
  • Acupressure2 of 16
  • Point injection1 of 16
  • Moxibustion1 of 16
  • Bloodletting1 of 16

Sessions: the 7 studies that gave a count ran a median of 8 (middle half 6 to 18).

Course: the 7 studies that gave a length ran a median of 4 weeks (middle half 3 weeks to 6 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.