Acupuncture Points for Labor Pain

82 sourced protocols, each with its citation.

Each card names its evidence kind. What these labels mean

Protocol (8 points)

100%

AT02 · AT15 · CVC10 · HX04 · IN01 · TF08 · TF09 · TF10

AT02Pituitary

AT02 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Auricular Points

🇨🇳 Chinese: 腦垂體 (nǎo chuí tǐ)

🎯 Location: On both ears, at the midpoint of the line from Parotid to the notch between Antitragus and Antihelix.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Diabetes Mellitus, Etc, Diabetes Insipitus, Profuse Menstruation, Functional Menorrhagia

AT15Brain

AT15 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Auricular Points

🇨🇳 Chinese: 腦 (nǎo)

🎯 Location: On both ears, located at the center of the upper part of the interior Antitragus.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Epilepsy, Stroke, Parkinson's Disease, Cerebella Ataxia, Disorders Of The Brain Such As Insufficient Blood Supply To The Brain

CVC10Thalamus

CVC10 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Auricular Points

🇨🇳 Chinese: 丘腦 (qiū nǎo)

🎯 Location: At the midpoint of the lower line of the interior Antitragus.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Various Disorders

HX04External Genital

HX04 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Auricular Points

🇨🇳 Chinese: 外生殖器 (wài shēng zhí qì)

🎯 Location: On both ears, located on the Helix edge corresponding to the level of Superior Crus of Antihelix.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Impotence, Lumbago, Urethritis, Pruritus Vulvae, Eczema Of The Scrotum

IN01Endocrine

IN01 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Auricular Points

🇨🇳 Chinese: 內分泌 (nèi fēn mì)

🎯 Location: On both ears, in the inferior portion of the Cavum Concha, 0.5 cm down from the notch between the Tragus and the Antitragus. It is corresponding to the conarium of the body.

⚠️ Cautions: Contraindicated during pregnancy.

🛡️ Treats: Swelling, Prostatitis, Diabetes Mellitus, Genitourinary Disorders, Diabetes Insipitus

TF08Uterus (Female) / Male Internal Genital (Male)

TF08 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

🗺️ Meridian: Auricular Points

🇨🇳 Chinese: 子宮(女)/ 內生殖器(男) (zǐ gōng ( nǚ )/ nèi shēng zhí qì ( nán ))

🎯 Location: At the front edge of the depression in the Triangular Fossa.

⚠️ Cautions: Contraindicated during pregnancy.

🛡️ Treats: Absent Periods, Dysmenorrhea, Endometriosis, Leukorrhea, Endometrial Hyperplasia

TF09Pelvis (Pelvic Cavity)

TF09 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Auricular Points

🇨🇳 Chinese: 盆腔 (pén qiāng)

🎯 Location: At the center of the triangular fossa where the upper and lower Crus of the Antihelix originates.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution in pregnancy.

🛡️ Treats: Prostatitis, Pelvic Inflammation, In The Lower Abdomen And Dysmenorrhea Pain

TF10Shenmen

TF10 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Auricular Points

🇨🇳 Chinese: 神門 (shén mén)

🎯 Location: At the midpoint between Pelvis and Hepatitis.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Pain, Inflammation, Restless Spirit, Emotional And Mental Disorders

Study-reported

Acupressure · a single day

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.61622/rbgo/2025rbgo33 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. AT02, AT15, CVC10, HX04, IN01, TF08, TF09, TF10 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.4103/jehp.jehp_141_17 ↗
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Protocol (10 points)

100%

AT02 · AT15 · CVC10 · HCS02 · HX04 · IAC03 · IN01 · TF08 · TF09 · TF10

AT02Pituitary

AT02 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

🗺️ Meridian: Auricular Points

🇨🇳 Chinese: 腦垂體 (nǎo chuí tǐ)

🎯 Location: On both ears, at the midpoint of the line from Parotid to the notch between Antitragus and Antihelix.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Diabetes Mellitus, Etc, Diabetes Insipitus, Profuse Menstruation, Functional Menorrhagia

AT15Brain

AT15 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

🗺️ Meridian: Auricular Points

🇨🇳 Chinese: 腦 (nǎo)

🎯 Location: On both ears, located at the center of the upper part of the interior Antitragus.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Epilepsy, Stroke, Parkinson's Disease, Cerebella Ataxia, Disorders Of The Brain Such As Insufficient Blood Supply To The Brain

CVC10Thalamus

CVC10 acupoint
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Click to enlarge

🗺️ Meridian: Auricular Points

🇨🇳 Chinese: 丘腦 (qiū nǎo)

🎯 Location: At the midpoint of the lower line of the interior Antitragus.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Various Disorders

HCS02Ear Center

HCS02 acupoint
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Click to enlarge

🗺️ Meridian: Auricular Points

🇨🇳 Chinese: 耳中 (支點,零點,迷走神經點) (ěr zhōng ( zhī diǎn , líng diǎn , mí zǒu shén jīng diǎn ))

🎯 Location: At the lower edge of the middle area of the Helix Crus.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Diabetes, Liver And Gallbladder Diseases Such As Jaundice, Nocturia, Cardiovascular Disorders Such As Bradycardia

HX04External Genital

HX04 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

🗺️ Meridian: Auricular Points

🇨🇳 Chinese: 外生殖器 (wài shēng zhí qì)

🎯 Location: On both ears, located on the Helix edge corresponding to the level of Superior Crus of Antihelix.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Impotence, Lumbago, Urethritis, Pruritus Vulvae, Eczema Of The Scrotum

IAC03Sympathetic

IAC03 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Auricular Points

🇨🇳 Chinese: 交感 (jiāo gǎn)

🎯 Location: On both ears, at the end of the upper edge of the lower Crus of the Antihelix.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Etc, Over Secretion Diseases, Internal Organ Pain, Autonomic Nerve Disorders, Spasms

IN01Endocrine

IN01 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

🗺️ Meridian: Auricular Points

🇨🇳 Chinese: 內分泌 (nèi fēn mì)

🎯 Location: On both ears, in the inferior portion of the Cavum Concha, 0.5 cm down from the notch between the Tragus and the Antitragus. It is corresponding to the conarium of the body.

⚠️ Cautions: Contraindicated during pregnancy.

🛡️ Treats: Swelling, Prostatitis, Diabetes Mellitus, Genitourinary Disorders, Diabetes Insipitus

TF08Uterus (Female) / Male Internal Genital (Male)

TF08 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

🗺️ Meridian: Auricular Points

🇨🇳 Chinese: 子宮(女)/ 內生殖器(男) (zǐ gōng ( nǚ )/ nèi shēng zhí qì ( nán ))

🎯 Location: At the front edge of the depression in the Triangular Fossa.

⚠️ Cautions: Contraindicated during pregnancy.

🛡️ Treats: Absent Periods, Dysmenorrhea, Endometriosis, Leukorrhea, Endometrial Hyperplasia

TF09Pelvis (Pelvic Cavity)

TF09 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

🗺️ Meridian: Auricular Points

🇨🇳 Chinese: 盆腔 (pén qiāng)

🎯 Location: At the center of the triangular fossa where the upper and lower Crus of the Antihelix originates.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution in pregnancy.

🛡️ Treats: Prostatitis, Pelvic Inflammation, In The Lower Abdomen And Dysmenorrhea Pain

TF10Shenmen

TF10 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

🗺️ Meridian: Auricular Points

🇨🇳 Chinese: 神門 (shén mén)

🎯 Location: At the midpoint between Pelvis and Hepatitis.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Pain, Inflammation, Restless Spirit, Emotional And Mental Disorders

Study-reported

Acupressure · 3 sessions

Did better than sham needling

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.4103/jehp.jehp_141_17 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. AT02, AT15, CVC10, HX04, IN01, TF08, TF09, TF10 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.61622/rbgo/2025rbgo33 ↗
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Protocol (7 points)

100%

AH15 · CVC06 · HCS02 · HX04 · TF08 · TF09 · TF10

AH15Abdomen

AH15 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Auricular Points

🇨🇳 Chinese: 腹 (fù)

🎯 Location: At the inner edge of the Antihelix corresponding to the middle point of the Lumbar and Sacral Vertebrae

⚠️ Cautions: Caution in pregnancy.

🛡️ Treats: Diseases Of The Abdomen Such As Enteritis Constipation Dysmenorrhea Puerperal Hysterodynia Obesity

CVC06Spleen

CVC06 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Auricular Points

🇨🇳 Chinese: 脾 (pí)

🎯 Location: At the midpoint of a line from Stomach to the notch between Antihelix and Antitragus.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Constipation, Indigestion, Menorrhagia, Lumbago, Gastroptosis

HCS02Ear Center

HCS02 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

🗺️ Meridian: Auricular Points

🇨🇳 Chinese: 耳中 (支點,零點,迷走神經點) (ěr zhōng ( zhī diǎn , líng diǎn , mí zǒu shén jīng diǎn ))

🎯 Location: At the lower edge of the middle area of the Helix Crus.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Diabetes, Liver And Gallbladder Diseases Such As Jaundice, Nocturia, Cardiovascular Disorders Such As Bradycardia

HX04External Genital

HX04 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

🗺️ Meridian: Auricular Points

🇨🇳 Chinese: 外生殖器 (wài shēng zhí qì)

🎯 Location: On both ears, located on the Helix edge corresponding to the level of Superior Crus of Antihelix.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Impotence, Lumbago, Urethritis, Pruritus Vulvae, Eczema Of The Scrotum

TF08Uterus (Female) / Male Internal Genital (Male)

TF08 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

🗺️ Meridian: Auricular Points

🇨🇳 Chinese: 子宮(女)/ 內生殖器(男) (zǐ gōng ( nǚ )/ nèi shēng zhí qì ( nán ))

🎯 Location: At the front edge of the depression in the Triangular Fossa.

⚠️ Cautions: Contraindicated during pregnancy.

🛡️ Treats: Absent Periods, Dysmenorrhea, Endometriosis, Leukorrhea, Endometrial Hyperplasia

TF09Pelvis (Pelvic Cavity)

TF09 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

🗺️ Meridian: Auricular Points

🇨🇳 Chinese: 盆腔 (pén qiāng)

🎯 Location: At the center of the triangular fossa where the upper and lower Crus of the Antihelix originates.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution in pregnancy.

🛡️ Treats: Prostatitis, Pelvic Inflammation, In The Lower Abdomen And Dysmenorrhea Pain

TF10Shenmen

TF10 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

🗺️ Meridian: Auricular Points

🇨🇳 Chinese: 神門 (shén mén)

🎯 Location: At the midpoint between Pelvis and Hepatitis.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Pain, Inflammation, Restless Spirit, Emotional And Mental Disorders

Study-reported

3 sessions

Did better than usual care

Point selection reported in a published study.

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ↗
Corroborated by a second study. HCS02, HX04, TF08, TF09, TF10 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.4103/jehp.jehp_141_17 ↗

Protocol (2 points)

100%

LI04 · SP06

LI04Junction Valley

LI04 acupoint
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Click to view all layers

🗺️ 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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Click to view all layers

🗺️ 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

Study-reported

Electrical stimulation on the skin · 1 session

Did better than sham needling

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1016/j.pain.2006.08.016 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI04, SP06 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1089/jicm.2023.0072 ↗

Protocol (3 points)

100%

LI04 · SP06 · HT07

LI04Junction Valley

LI04 acupoint
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Click to view all layers

🗺️ 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
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ 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
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ 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

Study-reported

Acupressure · 1 session

Did better than sham needling

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1089/jicm.2023.0072 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI04, SP06 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1016/j.pain.2006.08.016 ↗
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Protocol (2 points)

100%

LI04 · SP06

LI04Junction Valley

LI04 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ 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
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ 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

Study-reported

Electroacupuncture

Did better than usual care

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1093/ecam/nel053 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI04, SP06 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1016/j.pain.2006.08.016 ↗
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Related symptoms

Often treated alongside Labor Pain:

Points cited for Labor Pain

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

  • LI04Junction ValleyLarge Intestine Meridian31 of 50
  • SP06Three Yin IntersectionSpleen Meridian26 of 50
  • BL32Second Bone HoleBladder Meridian10 of 50
  • LV03Great SurgeLiver Meridian6 of 50
  • TF10ShenmenAuricular Points6 of 50
  • ST36Leg Three MilesStomach Meridian5 of 50
  • TF08Uterus (Female) / Male Internal Genital (Male)Auricular Points5 of 50
  • HX04External GenitalAuricular Points4 of 50
  • IN01EndocrineAuricular Points4 of 50
  • CVC10ThalamusAuricular Points3 of 50
  • IAC03SympatheticAuricular Points3 of 50
  • PC06Inner GatePericardium Meridian3 of 50

Tested, no effect found

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

LI04 · BL32 · PC06 · XB02L1 · XB02T10 · XB02T11 · XB02T12 – doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20190824-0001 – No better than another treatment

LI04 – pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov – No better than usual care

LI04 – doi:10.1111/jocn.12256 – No better than a waitlist

SP06 – doi:10.1111/jocn.12256 – No better than a waitlist

LI04 · BL32 – doi:10.31603/nursing.v7i2.3118 – No better than another treatment

SP06 · BL32 – doi:10.31603/nursing.v7i2.3118 – No better than another treatment

LI04 · BL32 – doi:10.34310/sjkb.v9i2.699 – No better than another treatment

SP06 · BL32 – doi:10.34310/sjkb.v9i2.699 – No better than another treatment

Registered, results not reported

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

LI04 · SP06 · BL32 · GB21 · GB30 – doi:10.1186/s13063-019-3896-0

LI04 · SP06 · KD01 · GB21 – doi:10.3390/healthcare11142111

SP06 · BL31 · BL32 · BL33 · BL34 · KD01 – doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2024-094226

How the studies delivered it

What the 42 studies behind the entries above ran, counted once per study. A record of the trials, not a recommendation.

  • Acupressure22 of 42
  • Electroacupuncture5 of 42
  • Needling5 of 42
  • Electrical stimulation on the skin4 of 42
  • Point injection1 of 42
  • Moxibustion1 of 42

Sessions: the 24 studies that gave a count ran a median of 1 (middle half 1 to 3).

Course: the 27 studies that gave a length ran a median of 1 day (middle half 1 day to 1 day).

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

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