Acupuncture Points for Irritable Bowel Syndrome

15 sourced protocols, each with its citation.

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Points cited for Irritable Bowel Syndrome

How often each point appears across the 16 entries ranked highest for Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Citation frequency, not a recommendation.

  • ST25Celestial PivotStomach Meridian12 of 16
  • ST36Leg Three MilesStomach Meridian12 of 16
  • ST37Upper Great HollowStomach Meridian10 of 16
  • GV20100 ConvergencesGoverning Vessel6 of 16
  • CV12Stomach CentreConception Vessel5 of 16
  • LV03Great SurgeLiver Meridian5 of 16
  • SP06Three Yin IntersectionSpleen Meridian4 of 16
  • BL25Large Intestine Shu PointBladder Meridian3 of 16
  • CV04Original Qi GateConception Vessel3 of 16
  • XH03Hall Of Impression Or Seal HallExtra Points: Head3 of 16
  • LI04Junction ValleyLarge Intestine Meridian2 of 16
  • PC06Inner GatePericardium Meridian2 of 16

Each card names its evidence kind. What these labels mean

Protocol (4 points)

100%

LI04 · ST36 · SP06 · LV03

Point 1 of 4

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

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

Needling · 10 sessions over 10 weeks

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1186/1471-230X-12-150 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. ST36, SP06, LV03 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2026.1782020 ↗

Protocol (2 points)

100%

ST25 · ST37

Point 1 of 2

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

ST37Upper Great Hollow

ST37 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Stomach Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 上巨虛 (shàng jù xū)

🎯 Location: 6 thumb widths below ST35, 1 finger breadth (middle finger) from anterior border of the tibia.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Diarrhea, Shortness of Breath, Spleen Weakness, Stomach Weakness, Common Cold

Study-reported

a 4-week course

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1155/2015/361786 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. ST25, ST37 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.2147/jpr.s483750 ↗

Protocol (2 points)

100%

ST36 · ST37

Point 1 of 2

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

ST37Upper Great Hollow

ST37 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Stomach Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 上巨虛 (shàng jù xū)

🎯 Location: 6 thumb widths below ST35, 1 finger breadth (middle finger) from anterior border of the tibia.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Diarrhea, Shortness of Breath, Spleen Weakness, Stomach Weakness, Common Cold

Study-reported

Electroacupuncture + Moxibustion · 14 sessions over 2 weeks

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1016/s0254-6272(15)30116-3 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. ST36, ST37 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.27180/d.cnki.gjxzc.2023.000309 ↗

Protocol (10 points)

100%

LU05 · LU11 · HT03 · HT09 · SI02 · SI03 · BL66 · KD10 · GB41 · LV01

Point 1 of 10

LU05Cubit Marsh

LU05 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Lung Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 尺澤 (chǐ zé)

🎯 Location: On the cubital crease in the depression of the radial side of the biceps brachii tendon; point is located with elbow slightly flexed.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid in cases of severe vascular disease; caution with depth at cubital fossa.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Diarrhea, Shortness of Breath, Asthma, Knee Pain

LU11Lesser Metal

LU11 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Lung Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 少商 (shào shāng)

🎯 Location: On the radial side of the thumb about 0.1 thumb width posterior to the corner of the nail.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid in patients with bleeding disorders; caution with depth.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Shortness of Breath, Sweating, Common Cold, Heat

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

HT09Lesser Surge

HT09 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Heart Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 少衝 (shào chōng)

🎯 Location: On the radial side of the little finger about 0.1 thumb width from corner of the nail.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid in patients with bleeding disorders.

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

SI02Front Valley

SI02 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Small Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 前谷 (qián gǔ)

🎯 Location: When loose fist is made point is on the ulnar end of the crease in the front of the metacarpophalangeal joint of the little finger at the junction of the red and white skin.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Tinnitus, Coughing Blood, Chest Fullness, Back Pain

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

BL66Foot Valley Passage

BL66 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 足通谷 (zú tōng gǔ)

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

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Shortness of Breath, Sweating, Chest Fullness, Vomiting

KD10Yin Valley

KD10 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Kidney Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 陰谷 (yīn gǔ)

🎯 Location: When knee is flexed point is on the medial side of the popliteal fossa between tendons of the semitendinosus and semimembranosus at the level with BL40.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Diarrhea, Depression, Abdominal Bloating, Abdominal Pain, Pain

GB41Foot Governor Of Tears

GB41 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Gallbladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 足臨泣 (zú lín qì)

🎯 Location: Posterior to the 4th metatarsophalangeal joint in the depression the lateral to the tendon of the extensor digiti minimi of the foot.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Phlegm, Sweating, Kidney Deficiency, Dizziness

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

Study-reported

Needling

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.3389/fmed.2025.1545687 ↗
Not corroborated. No other study in the index uses any of these points for this search.

Protocol (2 points)

100%

ST25 · ST37

Point 1 of 2

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

ST37Upper Great Hollow

ST37 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Stomach Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 上巨虛 (shàng jù xū)

🎯 Location: 6 thumb widths below ST35, 1 finger breadth (middle finger) from anterior border of the tibia.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Diarrhea, Shortness of Breath, Spleen Weakness, Stomach Weakness, Common Cold

Study-reported

Electroacupuncture

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.2147/jpr.s483750 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. ST25, ST37 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1155/2015/361786 ↗

Protocol (3 points)

100%

ST25 · ST36 · CV12

Point 1 of 3

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

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

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

Study-reported

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.13194/j.jlunivtcm.2011.05.215.hangy.062 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. ST25, ST36, CV12 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.27180/d.cnki.gjxzc.2023.000309 ↗
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Registered, results not reported

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

ST25 · ST37 · PC06 – doi:10.1186/s13063-021-05432-0

ST25 · ST36 · ST37 – doi:10.1186/s13063-021-05432-0

ST25 · ST36 · ST37 · PC06 – doi:10.1186/s13063-021-05432-0

ST25 · ST36 · SP06 · GB15 · LV03 · LV13 · CV04 · CV12 · GV20 – doi:10.1186/s13063-021-05563-4

ST36 · SP04 · PC06 · LV03 · CV12 · GV24 · XH01A · XH01B · XH01C · XH01D – doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2026-121725

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.

  • Needling6 of 12
  • Electroacupuncture3 of 12
  • Moxibustion1 of 12
  • Electrical stimulation on the skin1 of 12

Sessions: the 6 studies that gave a count ran a median of 16 (middle half 13 to 18).

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