AcuiQ

Acupuncture Points for Limb Pain

3 sourced protocols, each with its citation.

Related Symptoms

Often treated alongside Limb Pain:

Leg PainLow Back PainNeck PainSciaticaArm PainRadiculopathy Cervical

Points cited for Limb Pain

How often each point appears across the 46 entries ranked highest for Limb Pain. Citation frequency, not a recommendation.

  • BL23Kidney Shu PointBladder Meridian19 of 46
  • BL25Large Intestine Shu PointBladder Meridian19 of 46
  • BL40Middle Of The CreaseBladder Meridian16 of 46
  • GB30Jumping CircleGallbladder Meridian16 of 46
  • GB34Yang Mound SpringGallbladder Meridian14 of 46
  • BL57Mountain SupportBladder Meridian11 of 46
  • GV03Yang Lumbar GateGoverning Vessel11 of 46
  • BL54Lowermost In OrderBladder Meridian10 of 46
  • BL60Kunlun (Mountains)Bladder Meridian10 of 46
  • SP09Yin Mound SpringSpleen Meridian9 of 46
  • ST36Leg Three MilesStomach Meridian9 of 46
  • GB39Suspended BellGallbladder Meridian8 of 46

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

Fatigue WeaknessConstipationDepressionInsomniaSpasticityDysphagiaAtrophy MuscleLimb PainLimb NumbnessDyspnea NocturnalDysarthriaSweating Abnormal
Point 1 of 12

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:10.1155/2013/613596 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI04, LI11, ST36, SP06, KD03 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.12659/MSM.909733 ↗

Protocol (9 points)

100%

LI04 · LI11 · SP09 · BL40 · LV03 · CV12 · GV20 · GV21 · GV22

Limb PainSpasticity Post-strokeSpasm LimbContracture Joint
Point 1 of 9

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:10.1097/MD.0000000000020368 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI04, LI11, CV12, GV20 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1155/2013/613596 ↗

Protocol (11 points)

100%

BL17 · BL23 · BL40 · BL57 · BL60 · GB20 · GV04 · GV08 · GV14 · GV16 · GV20

InsomniaHypertensionAlopeciaLimb PainDiarrhea ChronicSpasm Muscle
Point 1 of 11

BL17Diaphragm Shu Point

BL17 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 膈俞 (gé yú)

🎯 Location: 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the GV09 at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 7th thoracic vertebra.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep perpendicular needling.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Fever, Shortness of Breath, Sweating, Dizziness

Study-reported

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.3389/fendo.2025.1543991 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. BL23, BL40, BL57, BL60 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1177/2515690X251355513 ↗

Protocol (7 points)

100%

LI10 · LI11 · LI12 · BL10 · TB14 · GB20 · GV16

Arm PainNeck PainArm NumbnessRadiculopathy CervicalGrip WeaknessNeck Cervical PainRadicular Upper-limb PainParaesthesia Forearm RightParaesthesia Fingers RightEdema Hand RightCervical-disc-herniationDouble-crush-syndromeRadial-tunnel-syndrome
Point 1 of 7

LI10Arm Three Miles

LI10 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Large Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 手三里 (shǒu sān lǐ)

🎯 Location: On the line joining LI05 and LI11, 2 thumb widths below cubital crease.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid in cases of local inflammation or injury.

🛡️ Treats: Diarrhea, Vomiting, Abdominal Pain, Pain, Facial Droop

Study-reported

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000043745 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. GB20, GV16 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.3389/fendo.2025.1543991 ↗

Protocol (10 points)

72%

SI06 · BL23 · BL28 · BL40 · BL43 · BL60 · PC07 · GV09 · GV14 · GV20

Leg PainShoulder PainNeck PainLumbar PainYang Type Pain
Point 1 of 10

SI06Support The Aged

SI06 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Small Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 養老 (yǎng lǎo)

🎯 Location: Dorsal to the head of the ulna; when palm face chest point is in the bonny cleft on the radial side of the styloid process of the ulna.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Back Pain, Shoulder Pain, Pain, Lower Back Pain, Channel Stagnation

Text or case report

Point selection recorded in a clinical text or case report.

曹文忠. 提高针灸治痛疗效创新理论的探讨. 江西中医药 ., 2011 [CNKI]
Substantiated by a study. BL23, BL40, BL60, GV14, GV20 also appear in a study-reported protocol for the same search. That study did not test this prescription. doi:10.3389/fendo.2025.1543991 ↗

Protocol (12 points)

72%

LU07 · LI04 · ST36 · SP04 · SP06 · PC06 · TB06 · LV03 · CV06 · CV12 · CV17 · GV20

Leg PainShoulder PainNeck PainLumbar PainYin Type Pain
Point 1 of 12

LU07Interrupted Sequence

LU07 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Lung Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 列缺 (liè quē)

🎯 Location: Superior to the styloid process of the radius 1.5 thumb widths above the transverse crease of the wrist between brachioradialis and tendon of the abductor policis longus.

⚠️ Cautions: Use with caution in patients with radial nerve sensitivity.

🛡️ Treats: Heat Chest, Cough, Fever, Shortness of Breath, Phlegm

Text or case report

Point selection recorded in a clinical text or case report.

曹文忠. 提高针灸治痛疗效创新理论的探讨. 江西中医药 ., 2011 [CNKI]
Substantiated by a study. LI04, ST36, SP06, PC06, CV06, CV12, GV20 also appear in a study-reported protocol for the same search. That study did not test this prescription. doi:10.1155/2013/613596 ↗
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Using Acupoints for Limb 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 Limb Pain
  • Symptoms worsen despite treatment
  • If you have underlying health conditions

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