Acupuncture Points for Knee Pain

163 sourced protocols, each with its citation.

Points cited for Knee Pain

How often each point appears across the 50 entries ranked highest for Knee Pain. Citation frequency, not a recommendation.

  • ST35Calf's NoseStomach Meridian34 of 50
  • SP09Yin Mound SpringSpleen Meridian31 of 50
  • SP10Sea Of BloodSpleen Meridian26 of 50
  • ST36Leg Three MilesStomach Meridian26 of 50
  • GB34Yang Mound SpringGallbladder Meridian22 of 50
  • ST34Ridge MoundStomach Meridian22 of 50
  • LV08Spring At The BendLiver Meridian10 of 50
  • SP06Three Yin IntersectionSpleen Meridian10 of 50
  • KD03Great StreamKidney Meridian8 of 50
  • BL39Outside Of The CreaseBladder Meridian6 of 50
  • BL60Kunlun (Mountains)Bladder Meridian6 of 50
  • GB33Yang Knee GateGallbladder Meridian6 of 50

Each card names its evidence kind. What these labels mean

Protocol (2 points)

100%

ST35 · LV08

Point 1 of 2

ST35Calf's Nose

ST35 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Stomach Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 犊鼻 (dú bí)

🎯 Location: When knee is flexed point is at the lower border of the patella in the depression the lateral to the patellar ligament.

⚠️ Cautions: Rule out fracture, dislocation and joint instability before needling, and do not needle into an acutely swollen joint or a haemarthrosis.

🛡️ Treats: Swelling, Pain, Channel Stagnation, Swollen Knee, Leg Muscle Wasting

Study-reported

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1186/1472-6882-2-3
Corroborated by a second study. ST35, LV08 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1186/1745-6215-14-129

Protocol (26 points)

100%

LU06 · LI04 · LI10 · LI15 · ST34 · ST36 · ST40 · ST44 · SP05 · SP06 · SP09 · SP10 · SI08 · SI10 · BL23 · BL40 · BL60 · KD03 · KD07 · KD10 · TB14 · GB33 · GB34 · LV03 · LV07 · LV08

Point 1 of 26

LU06Collection Hole

LU06 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Lung Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 孔最 (kǒng zuì)

🎯 Location: On the palmar aspect of the forearm on the line joining LU09 and LU05 7 thumb widths above the transverse crease of the wrist.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution in cases of local inflammation or skin conditions.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Chest Pain, Asthma, Coughing Blood, Heat

Study-reported

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1186/1472-6882-4-6
Corroborated by a second study. ST34, ST36, SP05, SP06, SP09, SP10, BL40, BL60, KD03, KD10, GB33, GB34, LV08 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1155/2013/182528

Protocol (5 points)

100%

ST34 · ST36 · SP09 · SP10 · GB34

Point 1 of 5

ST34Ridge Mound

ST34 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Stomach Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 梁丘 (liáng qiū)

🎯 Location: When knee is flexed point is 2 thumb widths above the laterosuperior border of the patella.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution with depth.

🛡️ Treats: Knee Pain, Wind, Numbness, Leg Pain, Pain

Study-reported

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1186/1472-6882-4-6
Corroborated by a second study. ST34, ST36, SP09, SP10, GB34 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1093/ecam/nep085

Protocol (8 points)

100%

LI11 · ST34 · ST35 · ST43 · SP05 · KD03 · KD10 · GB34

Point 1 of 8

LI11Pond At The Bend

LI11 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Large Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 曲池 (qū chí)

🎯 Location: When elbow is flexed point is in the depression the at the lateral end of the transverse cubital crease midway between LU05 and lateral epicondyle of the humerus.

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

🛡️ Treats: Diarrhea, Dizziness, Heat, Vomiting, Abdominal Bloating

Study-reported

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1093/ecam/nen080
Corroborated by a second study. ST34, ST35, SP05, KD03, KD10, GB34 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1155/2013/182528

Protocol (11 points)

100%

LI04 · ST36 · SP06 · SP09 · SP10 · KD06 · TB05 · GB34 · GB41 · LV03 · LV08

Point 1 of 11

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:10.1186/1471-2474-10-130
Corroborated by a second study. LI04, ST36, SP06, SP09, SP10, GB34, GB41, LV03, LV08 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2016-013830

Protocol (6 points)

100%

ST34 · ST36 · SP09 · SP10 · GB34 · LV03

Point 1 of 6

ST34Ridge Mound

ST34 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Stomach Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 梁丘 (liáng qiū)

🎯 Location: When knee is flexed point is 2 thumb widths above the laterosuperior border of the patella.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution with depth.

🛡️ Treats: Knee Pain, Wind, Numbness, Leg Pain, Pain

Study-reported

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1093/ecam/nep085
Corroborated by a second study. ST34, ST36, SP09, SP10, GB34, LV03 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1186/1472-6882-4-6
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Using Acupoints for Knee Pain

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 Knee Pain
  • Symptoms worsen despite treatment
  • If you have underlying health conditions

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