# Acupoints for Labor Pain

55 sourced protocols for Labor Pain. Canonical page: https://acuiq.com/symptoms/labor-pain

## Protocols

| # | Points | Dosage | Frequency | Source | Kind | Caveat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | LI04 (Junction Valley), SP06 (Three Yin Intersection) | – | – | doi:10.1093/ecam/nel053 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 2 | LI04 (Junction Valley), SP06 (Three Yin Intersection) | – | – | doi:10.1016/j.jams.2015.08.003 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 3 | LI04 (Junction Valley), BL31 (Upper Bone Hole), BL32 (Second Bone Hole), BL33 (Middle Bone Hole), BL34 (Lower Bone Hole), GB30 (Jumping Circle), LV03 (Great Surge) | – | – | doi:10.2147/JPR.S46693 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 4 | LI04 (Junction Valley), SP06 (Three Yin Intersection), BL32 (Second Bone Hole), GB21 (Shoulder Well), GB30 (Jumping Circle) | – | – | doi:10.1186/s13063-019-3896-0 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 5 | LI04 (Junction Valley), BL67 (Reaching Yin) | – | – | doi:10.4103/ijnmr.IJNMR_257_19 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 6 | LI04 (Junction Valley), SP06 (Three Yin Intersection) | – | – | doi:10.4103/ijnmr.IJNMR_257_19 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 7 | LI04 (Junction Valley), BL32 (Second Bone Hole) | – | – | doi:10.4103/ijnmr.IJNMR_257_19 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 8 | LI04 (Junction Valley), SP06 (Three Yin Intersection), KD01 (Bubbling Spring), GB21 (Shoulder Well) | – | – | doi:10.3390/healthcare11142111 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 9 | LI04 (Junction Valley), SP06 (Three Yin Intersection) | – | – | doi:10.1186/s12906-025-04908-9 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 10 | LI04 (Junction Valley), SP06 (Three Yin Intersection) | – | – | doi:10.1016/j.ctcp.2020.101126 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 11 | ST36 (Leg Three Miles), SP06 (Three Yin Intersection) | – | – | doi:10.26689/jcnr.v9i11.13009 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 12 | LI04 (Junction Valley), SP06 (Three Yin Intersection) | – | – | doi:10.13898/j.cnki.issn.1000-2200.2022.05.011 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 13 | LI04 (Junction Valley), SP06 (Three Yin Intersection) | – | – | doi:10.26925/d.cnki.gbbyc.2022.000009 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 14 | LI04 (Junction Valley), SP06 (Three Yin Intersection), LV03 (Great Surge) | – | – | doi:10.27026/d.cnki.ggszc.2023.000536 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 15 | LI04 (Junction Valley), SP06 (Three Yin Intersection), LV03 (Great Surge) | – | – | doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20240405-k0001 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 16 | LI04 (Junction Valley), SP06 (Three Yin Intersection), HT07 (Spirit Gate) | – | – | doi:10.1089/jicm.2023.0072 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 17 | LI04 (Junction Valley), BL32 (Second Bone Hole), PC06 (Inner Gate), XB02L1 (Hua Tuo's Para-Vertebral Point - L1), XB02T10 (Hua Tuo's Para-Vertebral Point - T1), XB02T11 (Hua Tuo's Para-Vertebral Point - T1), XB02T12 (Hua Tuo's Para-Vertebral Point - T1) | – | – | doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20190824-0001 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 18 | LI04 (Junction Valley), SP06 (Three Yin Intersection), BL32 (Second Bone Hole), GB21 (Shoulder Well), GB30 (Jumping Circle) | – | – | doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2020.102413 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 19 | CVC10 (Thalamus), HX04 (External Genital), TF08 (Uterus (Female) / Male Internal Genital (Male)), TF10 (Shenmen) | – | – | doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2020.102413 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 20 | AT02 (Pituitary), AT15 (Brain), CVC10 (Thalamus), HX04 (External Genital), IN01 (Endocrine), TF08 (Uterus (Female) / Male Internal Genital (Male)), TF09 (Pelvis (Pelvic Cavity)), TF10 (Shenmen) | – | – | doi:10.61622/rbgo/2025rbgo33 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 21 | LI04 (Junction Valley), ST29 (Return), SP12 (Surging Gate), BL27 (Small Intestine Shu Point), KD11 (Pubic Bone), LV03 (Great Surge) | – | – | doi:10.1136/acupmed-2016-011164 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 22 | IAC03 (Sympathetic), IN01 (Endocrine), TF10 (Shenmen) | – | – | doi:10.12669/pjms.39.6.7451 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 23 | LI04 (Junction Valley), SP06 (Three Yin Intersection) | – | – | doi:10.12669/pjms.39.6.7451 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 24 | LI04 (Junction Valley), ST36 (Leg Three Miles), SP06 (Three Yin Intersection), BL25 (Large Intestine Shu Point), BL26 (Original Qi Gate Shu Point) | – | – | Wu Lingling, Liu Xiaohui, Yin Yuzhu, Sun Ke, Wu Ling, Yi Wei, Li Shangrong, Hou Hongying. Effectiveness of acupuncture versus spinal-epidural anesthesia on labor pain: a randomized controlled trial. J Tradit Chin Med 2017; 37(5): 629-635 | text | Point selection recorded in a clinical text or case report. |
| 25 | SP06 (Three Yin Intersection) | – | – | doi:10.3109/00016349.2010.514323 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 26 | BL32 (Second Bone Hole) | – | – | doi:10.1155/2014/129208 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 27 | BL32 (Second Bone Hole) | – | – | doi:10.5539/gjhs.v8n3p236 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 28 | BL32 (Second Bone Hole) | – | – | doi:10.1016/s0254-6272(15)30149-7 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 29 | BL23 (Kidney Shu Point) | – | – | doi:10.1155/prm/4486038 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 30 | SP06 (Three Yin Intersection) | – | – | doi:10.5812/ircmj.16461 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 31 | LI04 (Junction Valley) | – | – | doi:10.5001/omj.2014.113 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 32 | GB21 (Shoulder Well) | – | – | doi:10.17795/nmsjournal19948 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 33 | SP06 (Three Yin Intersection) | – | – | doi:10.17795/nmsjournal19948 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 34 | SP06 (Three Yin Intersection) | – | – | doi:10.1590/1518-8345.0739.2738 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 35 | SP06 (Three Yin Intersection) | – | – | doi:10.4103/ijnmr.IJNMR_184_15 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 36 | LI04 (Junction Valley) | – | – | doi:10.4103/ijnmr.IJNMR_184_15 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 37 | SP06 (Three Yin Intersection) | – | – | doi:10.4103/ijnmr.IJNMR_199_16 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 38 | SP06 (Three Yin Intersection) | – | – | doi:10.4103/ijnmr.IJNMR_257_19 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 39 | LI04 (Junction Valley) | – | – | doi:10.4103/ijnmr.IJNMR_257_19 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 40 | BL32 (Second Bone Hole) | – | – | doi:10.4103/ijnmr.IJNMR_257_19 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 41 | GB21 (Shoulder Well) | – | – | doi:10.4103/ijnmr.IJNMR_257_19 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 42 | BL32 (Second Bone Hole) | – | – | doi:10.4103/jehp.jehp_685_20 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 43 | SP06 (Three Yin Intersection) | – | – | doi:10.1186/s12906-025-04908-9 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 44 | LI04 (Junction Valley) | – | – | doi:10.1186/s12906-025-04908-9 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 45 | SP06 (Three Yin Intersection) | – | – | doi:10.1177/23779608251362171 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 46 | GB21 (Shoulder Well) | – | – | doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2021.102683 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 47 | SP06 (Three Yin Intersection) | – | – | doi:10.1111/jmwh.13600 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 48 | BL23 (Kidney Shu Point) | – | – | doi:10.1155/prm/4486038 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 49 | SP06 (Three Yin Intersection) | – | – | doi:10.4103/ijnmr.ijnmr_48_24 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 50 | SP06 (Three Yin Intersection) | – | – | doi:10.1177/08980101261477557 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |

## Point locations

| Point | Name | Meridian | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| LI04 | Junction Valley | Large Intestine Meridian | On the dorsum of the hand between 1st & 2nd metacarpal bones approximately in the middle of the 2nd metacarpal bone on the radial side. |
| SP06 | Three Yin Intersection | Spleen Meridian | 3 thumb widths directly above the tip of the medial malleolus posterior to the medial border of the tibia. |
| BL31 | Upper Bone Hole | Bladder Meridian | On the sacrum at the midpoint between posterior superior iliac spine and posterior midline just at the 1st posterior sacral foramen. |
| BL32 | Second Bone Hole | Bladder Meridian | On the sacrum medial and inferior to the posterior superior iliac spine just at the 2nd posterior sacral foramen. |
| BL33 | Middle Bone Hole | Bladder Meridian | On the sacrum medial and inferior to the BL32 just at the 3rd posterior sacral foramen. |
| BL34 | Lower Bone Hole | Bladder Meridian | On the sacrum medial and inferior to the BL33 just at the 4th posterior sacral foramen. |
| GB30 | Jumping Circle | Gallbladder Meridian | At the junction of the lateral ⅓ and medial ⅔ of the distance between prominence of the greater trochanter and hiatus of the sacrum, GV02; when locating point put patient in the lateral recumbent position the with thigh flexed. |
| LV03 | Great Surge | Liver Meridian | On the dorsum of the foot in the depression the distal to the junction of the 1st and 2nd metatarsal bones. |
| GB21 | Shoulder Well | Gallbladder Meridian | 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. |
| BL67 | Reaching Yin | Bladder Meridian | On the lateral side of the small toe about 0.1 thumb width from corner of the nail. |
| KD01 | Bubbling Spring | Kidney Meridian | On the sole in the depression the when foot is in the plantar flexion the approximately at the junction of the anterior 1/3 and posterior 2/3 of the line connecting base of the 2nd and 3rd toes and heel. |
| ST36 | Leg Three Miles | Stomach Meridian | 3 thumb widths below ST35, 1 finger breadth (middle finger) from anterior border of the tibia. |
| HT07 | Spirit Gate | Heart Meridian | 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. |
| PC06 | Inner Gate | Pericardium Meridian | 2 thumb widths above the transverse crease of the wrist between tendons of the palmaris longus and flexor carpi radialis. |
| XB02L1 | Hua Tuo's Para-Vertebral Point - L1 | Extra Points: Back | 0.5 - 1 thumb width lateral to the depressions below the spinous processes of the first lumbar vertebra. |
| XB02T10 | Hua Tuo's Para-Vertebral Point - T1 | Extra Points: Back | 0.5 - 1 thumb width lateral to the depressions below the spinous processes of the twelve thoracic vertebrae & five lumbar vertebrae in the clinical practice the points located 0.5 - 1 thumb width lateral to the depressions below the spinous processes of the seven cervical vertebra are also used as additional huatuojiaji points. |
| XB02T11 | Hua Tuo's Para-Vertebral Point - T1 | Extra Points: Back | 0.5 - 1 thumb width lateral to the depressions below the spinous processes of the twelve thoracic vertebrae & five lumbar vertebrae in the clinical practice the points located 0.5 - 1 thumb width lateral to the depressions below the spinous processes of the seven cervical vertebra are also used as additional huatuojiaji points. |
| XB02T12 | Hua Tuo's Para-Vertebral Point - T1 | Extra Points: Back | 0.5 - 1 thumb width lateral to the depressions below the spinous processes of the twelve thoracic vertebrae & five lumbar vertebrae in the clinical practice the points located 0.5 - 1 thumb width lateral to the depressions below the spinous processes of the seven cervical vertebra are also used as additional huatuojiaji points. |
| CVC10 | Thalamus | Auricular Points | At the midpoint of the lower line of the interior Antitragus. |
| HX04 | External Genital | Auricular Points | On both ears, located on the Helix edge corresponding to the level of Superior Crus of Antihelix. |
| TF08 | Uterus (Female) / Male Internal Genital (Male) | Auricular Points | At the front edge of the depression in the Triangular Fossa. |
| TF10 | Shenmen | Auricular Points | At the midpoint between Pelvis and Hepatitis. |
| AT02 | Pituitary | Auricular Points | On both ears, at the midpoint of the line from Parotid to the notch between Antitragus and Antihelix. |
| AT15 | Brain | Auricular Points | On both ears, located at the center of the upper part of the interior Antitragus. |
| IN01 | Endocrine | Auricular Points | 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. |
| TF09 | Pelvis (Pelvic Cavity) | Auricular Points | At the center of the triangular fossa where the upper and lower Crus of the Antihelix originates. |
| ST29 | Return | Stomach Meridian | 4 thumb widths below umbilicus 2 thumb widths lateral to the CV03. |
| SP12 | Surging Gate | Spleen Meridian | Superior to the lateral end of the inguinal groove lateral to the pulsating femoral artery at the level of the upper border of the pubis symphasis, 3.5 thumb widths lateral to the CV02. |
| BL27 | Small Intestine Shu Point | Bladder Meridian | 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the du mai at the level of the 1st posterior sacral foramen. |
| KD11 | Pubic Bone | Kidney Meridian | 5 thumb widths below umbilicus on the superior border of the symphysis pubis 0.5 thumb widths lateral to the CV02. |
| IAC03 | Sympathetic | Auricular Points | On both ears, at the end of the upper edge of the lower Crus of the Antihelix. |
| BL25 | Large Intestine Shu Point | Bladder Meridian | 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the GV03 at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 4th lumbar vertebra. |
| BL26 | Original Qi Gate Shu Point | Bladder Meridian | 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the du mai at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 5th lumbar vertebra. |
| BL23 | Kidney Shu Point | Bladder Meridian | 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the GV04 at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 2nd lumbar vertebra. |

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AcuiQ-authored prose (symptom and meridian descriptions, the wiki, the auricular crosswalk) is licensed CC-BY-4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/. The assembled protocol compilation is not: build on it with attribution, but do not redistribute it whole as a dataset – https://acuiq.com/terms. The underlying findings are the cited sources' claims – each entry carries its citation; verify against the source before relying on it. Not medical advice: https://acuiq.com/terms