AcuiQ

Acupuncture Points for Lower Extremity Numbness

5 sourced protocols, each with its citation.

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

Related symptoms

Often treated alongside Lower Extremity Numbness:

Leg PainClaudication IntermittentLow Back PainRadiculopathySciaticaCirculation Stasis

Points cited for Lower Extremity Numbness

How often each point appears across the 5 entries ranked highest for Lower Extremity Numbness. Citation frequency, not a recommendation.

  • BL25Large Intestine Shu PointBladder Meridian3 of 5
  • KD03Great StreamKidney Meridian3 of 5
  • BL40Middle Of The CreaseBladder Meridian2 of 5
  • SP06Three Yin IntersectionSpleen Meridian2 of 5
  • ST36Leg Three MilesStomach Meridian2 of 5
  • BL23Kidney Shu PointBladder Meridian1 of 5
  • BL57Mountain SupportBladder Meridian1 of 5
  • GB34Yang Mound SpringGallbladder Meridian1 of 5
  • GV02Lumbar PointGoverning Vessel1 of 5
  • KD01Bubbling SpringKidney Meridian1 of 5
  • LI04Junction ValleyLarge Intestine Meridian1 of 5
  • LI11Pond At The BendLarge Intestine Meridian1 of 5

Each card names its evidence kind. What these labels mean

Protocol (2 points)

100%

BL25 · BL40

SciaticaLeg PainLow Back PainRadiculopathyLower Extremity Numbness
Point 1 of 2

BL25Large Intestine Shu Point

BL25 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 大腸俞 (dà cháng yú)

🎯 Location: 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the GV03 at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 4th lumbar vertebra.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep perpendicular needling.

🛡️ Treats: Diarrhea, Common Cold, Constipation, Abdominal Bloating, Abdominal Pain

Study-reported

Moxibustion · 18 sessions over 2 weeks

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1186/1745-6215-12-226 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. BL25, BL40 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2016-012821 ↗

Protocol (2 points)

100%

BL25 · GV02

SciaticaLeg PainLow Back PainRadiculopathyLower Extremity Numbness
Point 1 of 2

BL25Large Intestine Shu Point

BL25 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 大腸俞 (dà cháng yú)

🎯 Location: 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the GV03 at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 4th lumbar vertebra.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep perpendicular needling.

🛡️ Treats: Diarrhea, Common Cold, Constipation, Abdominal Bloating, Abdominal Pain

Study-reported

Moxibustion · 18 sessions over 2 weeks

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1186/1745-6215-12-226 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. BL25 also appears in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2016-012821 ↗

Protocol (5 points)

100%

BL23 · BL25 · BL40 · BL57 · KD03

Leg PainLower Back PainButtock PainLower Extremity NumbnessClaudication IntermittentSpinal Stenosis Lumbar Degenerative
Point 1 of 5

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 · 24 sessions over 8 weeks

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2016-012821 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. BL25, BL40 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1186/1745-6215-12-226 ↗

Protocol (10 points)

100%

LI04 · LI11 · ST36 · ST40 · ST42 · SP03 · SP06 · SP09 · KD03 · GB34

Lower Extremity NumbnessClaudication IntermittentDiabetes Type-2Peripheral Artery Disease Lower ExtremityResting PainCirculation Stasis
Point 1 of 10

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 · a 15-week course

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.12659/MSM.909733 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. 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:10.3389/fneur.2022.985499 ↗

Protocol (4 points)

100%

ST36 · SP06 · KD01 · KD03

InsomniaNeuropathy PeripheralLower Limb PainLower Extremity NumbnessBurning Pain
Point 1 of 4

ST36Leg Three Miles

ST36 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Stomach Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 足三里 (zú sān lǐ)

🎯 Location: 3 thumb widths below ST35, 1 finger breadth (middle finger) from anterior border of the tibia.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution in cases of severe varicose veins.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Fever, Poor Appetite, Diarrhea, Shortness of Breath

Study-reported

Needling + Electroacupuncture · 18 sessions

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.3389/fneur.2022.985499 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. 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 ↗
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 4 studies behind the entries above ran, counted once per study. A record of the trials, not a recommendation.

  • Needling3 of 4
  • Moxibustion1 of 4
  • Electroacupuncture1 of 4

Sessions: the 3 studies that gave a count ran a median of 18 (middle half 18 to 21).

Course: the 3 studies that gave a length ran a median of 8 weeks (middle half 5 weeks to 81 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.