Acupuncture Points for Limb Weakness

9 sourced protocols, each with its citation.

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Points cited for Limb Weakness

How often each point appears across the 9 entries ranked highest for Limb Weakness. Citation frequency, not a recommendation.

  • ST36Leg Three MilesStomach Meridian7 of 9
  • LI11Pond At The BendLarge Intestine Meridian6 of 9
  • LI04Junction ValleyLarge Intestine Meridian5 of 9
  • GB34Yang Mound SpringGallbladder Meridian4 of 9
  • SP06Three Yin IntersectionSpleen Meridian4 of 9
  • GB20Wind PoolGallbladder Meridian3 of 9
  • CV04Original Qi GateConception Vessel2 of 9
  • CV06Sea Of QiConception Vessel2 of 9
  • CV10Lower StomachConception Vessel2 of 9
  • CV12Stomach CentreConception Vessel2 of 9
  • CV23Clean SpringConception Vessel2 of 9
  • GB12Mastoid ProcessGallbladder Meridian2 of 9

Each card names its evidence kind. What these labels mean

Protocol (10 points)

100%

LI04 · LI10 · LI11 · LI15 · ST36 · ST41 · BL60 · TB05 · GB30 · GB34

Point 1 of 10

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

Needling · 6 sessions over 6 days

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1155/2020/5094914 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI04, LI11, ST36, TB05, GB34 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.19664/j.cnki.1002-2392.2014.02.014 ↗

Protocol (5 points)

100%

LI11 · LI15 · ST31 · ST36 · GB34

Point 1 of 5

LI11Pond At The Bend

LI11 acupoint
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🗺️ 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

Study-reported

Needling · 20 sessions over 4 weeks

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1155/2021/3539651 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI11, LI15, ST36, GB34 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1155/2020/5094914 ↗

Protocol (9 points)

100%

LI04 · LI11 · ST25 · ST36 · SP06 · CV04 · CV06 · CV10 · CV12

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

Needling

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.3389/fneur.2022.908282 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI04, LI11, ST36, SP06 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.19664/j.cnki.1002-2392.2014.02.014 ↗

Protocol (7 points)

100%

LI04 · LI11 · GB15 · GB20 · CV23 · GV20 · GV24

Point 1 of 7

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

Needling + Electroacupuncture

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000031446 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI04, LI11 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1155/2020/5094914 ↗

Protocol (12 points)

100%

LU05 · ST36 · SP06 · HT01 · BL10 · BL40 · PC06 · GB12 · GB20 · LV03 · CV23 · GV26

Point 1 of 12

LU05Cubit Marsh

LU05 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Lung Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 尺澤 (chǐ zé)

🎯 Location: On the cubital crease in the depression of the radial side of the biceps brachii tendon; point is located with elbow slightly flexed.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid in cases of severe vascular disease; caution with depth at cubital fossa.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Diarrhea, Shortness of Breath, Asthma, Knee Pain

Study-reported

Needling

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.3389/fnins.2023.1139537 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. GB12, GB20, LV03 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000045895 ↗

Protocol (6 points)

100%

GB12 · GB20 · GB34 · GB40 · LV03 · GV20

Point 1 of 6

GB12Mastoid Process

GB12 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Gallbladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 完骨 (wán gǔ)

🎯 Location: In the depression the posterior and inferior to the mastoid process.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications for head points.

🛡️ Treats: Wind, Pain, Deviation Eye, Facial Droop, Epilepsy

Study-reported

Needling · 18 sessions over 3 weeks

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000045895 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. GB12, GB20, LV03 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.3389/fnins.2023.1139537 ↗
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How the studies delivered it

What the 7 studies behind the entries above ran, counted once per study. A record of the trials, not a recommendation.

  • Needling6 of 7
  • Electroacupuncture1 of 7

Sessions: the 3 studies that gave a count ran a median of 18 (middle half 12 to 19).

Course: the 3 studies that gave a length ran a median of 3 weeks (middle half 2 weeks to 25 days).

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

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