Acupuncture Points for Labor Prolonged

23 sourced protocols, each with its citation.

Each card names its evidence kind. What these labels mean

Protocol (2 points)

100%

LI04 · SP06

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

Study-reported

Needling

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1016/j.jams.2015.08.003 ↗
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:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20240405-k0001 ↗
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Protocol (3 points)

100%

LI04 · SP06 · 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

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 · 1 session

Did better than usual care

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20240405-k0001 ↗
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.jams.2015.08.003 ↗
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Protocol (10 points)

100%

AT02 · AT15 · CVC10 · HCS02 · HX04 · IAC03 · 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

HCS02Ear Center

HCS02 acupoint
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🗺️ 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
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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

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
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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
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🗺️ 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 · 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. 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. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ↗
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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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Click to enlarge

🗺️ 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
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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

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 (4 points)

90%

LI04 · SP06 · BL67 · GB21

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

BL67Reaching Yin

BL67 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 至陰 (zhì yīn)

🎯 Location: On the lateral side of the small toe about 0.1 thumb width from corner of the nail.

⚠️ 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: Chest Pain, Tinnitus, Deafness, Labour Prolonged, Labour Delayed

GB21Shoulder Well

GB21 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Gallbladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 肩井 (jiān jǐng)

🎯 Location: 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.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep needling – risk of pneumothorax. 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: Cough, Shortness of Breath, Phlegm, Kidney Deficiency, Depression

Text or case report

Needling + Moxibustion · 1 session

Point selection recorded in a clinical text or case report.

Henry C. Lu. Clinical Cases of Acupuncture
Substantiated by a study. LI04, SP06 also appear in a study-reported protocol for the same search. That study did not test this prescription. doi:10.1016/j.jams.2015.08.003 ↗
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Single-point entry

100%

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

Study-reported

Acupressure

Did better than sham needling

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1590/s0034-8910.2015049005407 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. SP06 also appears in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1016/j.jams.2015.08.003 ↗
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AcuiQ Self-Treatment Guide
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Related symptoms

Often treated alongside Labor Prolonged:

Points cited for Labor Prolonged

How often each point appears across the 23 entries ranked highest for Labor Prolonged. Citation frequency, not a recommendation.

  • SP06Three Yin IntersectionSpleen Meridian15 of 23
  • LI04Junction ValleyLarge Intestine Meridian7 of 23
  • BL32Second Bone HoleBladder Meridian2 of 23
  • HCS02Ear CenterAuricular Points2 of 23
  • HX04External GenitalAuricular Points2 of 23
  • TF08Uterus (Female) / Male Internal Genital (Male)Auricular Points2 of 23
  • TF09Pelvis (Pelvic Cavity)Auricular Points2 of 23
  • TF10ShenmenAuricular Points2 of 23
  • AH15AbdomenAuricular Points1 of 23
  • AT02PituitaryAuricular Points1 of 23
  • AT15BrainAuricular Points1 of 23
  • BL67Reaching YinBladder Meridian1 of 23

Tested, no effect found

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

LI04 · SP06 · BL60 · BL67 · KD03 · KD06 – pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov – No better than a waitlist

How the studies delivered it

What the 19 studies behind the entries above ran, counted once per study. A record of the trials, not a recommendation.

  • Acupressure9 of 19
  • Electroacupuncture4 of 19
  • Moxibustion3 of 19
  • Needling2 of 19

Sessions: the 11 studies that gave a count ran a median of 1 (middle half 1 to 1).

Course: the 11 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.