Acupuncture Points for Limb Numbness

3 sourced protocols, each with its citation.

AcuiQ posts on X about the papers it indexes. Follow @acu_iq

Related symptoms

Often treated alongside Limb Numbness:

Points cited for Limb Numbness

How often each point appears across the 3 entries ranked highest for Limb Numbness. Citation frequency, not a recommendation.

  • BL23Kidney Shu PointBladder Meridian2 of 3
  • GB20Wind PoolGallbladder Meridian2 of 3
  • LI11Pond At The BendLarge Intestine Meridian2 of 3
  • CV04Original Qi GateConception Vessel1 of 3
  • CV06Sea Of QiConception Vessel1 of 3
  • CV12Stomach CentreConception Vessel1 of 3
  • GB21Shoulder WellGallbladder Meridian1 of 3
  • GV03Yang Lumbar GateGoverning Vessel1 of 3
  • GV04Life GateGoverning Vessel1 of 3
  • GV14Great VertebraGoverning Vessel1 of 3
  • GV17Brain DoorGoverning Vessel1 of 3
  • GV20100 ConvergencesGoverning Vessel1 of 3

Each card names its evidence kind. What these labels mean

Protocol (12 points)

100%

LI04 · LI11 · ST36 · SP06 · BL23 · KD03 · PC06 · CV04 · CV06 · CV12 · GV14 · GV20

Point 1 of 12

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

Study-reported

Needling

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1155/2013/613596 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. BL23 also appears in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.3831/KPI.2021.24.3.122 ↗

Protocol (6 points)

100%

BL23 · GB20 · GB21 · GV03 · GV04 · GV17

Point 1 of 6

BL23Kidney Shu Point

BL23 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 腎俞 (shèn yú)

🎯 Location: 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the GV04 at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 2nd lumbar vertebra.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep perpendicular needling.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Diarrhea, Asthma, Tinnitus, Qi Deficiency

Study-reported

Needling

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.3831/KPI.2021.24.3.122 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. BL23 also appears in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1155/2013/613596 ↗

Protocol (3 points)

90%

LI11 · TB05 · GB20

Point 1 of 3

LI11Pond At The Bend

LI11 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ 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

Text or case report

Point selection recorded in a clinical text or case report.

马楠山张坤王姣姣顾天雯谭明生. 基于数据挖掘的针刺治疗脊髓型颈椎病选穴规律分析. 颈腰痛杂志 ., 2023 [CNKI]
Substantiated by a study. LI11 also appears in a study-reported protocol for the same search. That study did not test this prescription. doi:10.1155/2013/613596 ↗
Hot Spots™ Press Needles
Sterile 1.5mm press needles on 3M backing tape · 100 per box
$19.99
per box · choose the quantity at checkout
AcuiQ Self-Treatment Guide
Acupressure you can do at home, every protocol traced to a trial. – $12.99, free updates for life

How the studies delivered it

What the 2 studies behind the entries above ran, counted once per study. A record of the trials, not a recommendation.

  • Needling2 of 2

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

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