Acupuncture Points for Lower Extremity Pain

4 sourced protocols, each with its citation.

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Points cited for Lower Extremity Pain

How often each point appears across the 4 entries ranked highest for Lower Extremity Pain. Citation frequency, not a recommendation.

  • BL23Kidney Shu PointBladder Meridian4 of 4
  • BL25Large Intestine Shu PointBladder Meridian4 of 4
  • BL40Middle Of The CreaseBladder Meridian4 of 4
  • BL24Sea Of Qi Shu PointBladder Meridian3 of 4
  • BL26Original Qi Gate Shu PointBladder Meridian3 of 4
  • BL60Kunlun (Mountains)Bladder Meridian3 of 4
  • GB30Jumping CircleGallbladder Meridian3 of 4
  • GB31Wind MarketGallbladder Meridian3 of 4
  • GV03Yang Lumbar GateGoverning Vessel3 of 4
  • BL57Mountain SupportBladder Meridian2 of 4
  • GB34Yang Mound SpringGallbladder Meridian2 of 4
  • BL27Small Intestine Shu PointBladder Meridian1 of 4

Each card names its evidence kind. What these labels mean

Protocol (7 points)

100%

BL23 · BL25 · BL40 · BL53 · BL54 · BL57 · GB34

Point 1 of 7

BL23Kidney Shu Point

BL23 acupoint
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🗺️ 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 · a 4-week course

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1186/s12906-018-2087-y ↗
Corroborated by a second study. BL23, BL25, BL40, BL57, GB34 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.13517/j.cnki.ccm.2025.05.015 ↗

Protocol (9 points)

100%

BL23 · BL24 · BL25 · BL26 · BL40 · BL60 · GB30 · GB31 · GV03

Point 1 of 9

BL23Kidney Shu Point

BL23 acupoint
Click to enlarge

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🗺️ 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 + Electroacupuncture · 16 sessions over 8 weeks

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.2147/JPR.S399132 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. BL23, BL24, BL25, BL26, BL40, BL60, GB30, GB31, GV03 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.13517/j.cnki.ccm.2025.05.015 ↗

Protocol (9 points)

100%

BL23 · BL24 · BL25 · BL26 · BL40 · BL60 · GB30 · GB31 · GV03

Point 1 of 9

BL23Kidney Shu Point

BL23 acupoint
Click to enlarge

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🗺️ 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 + Electroacupuncture · 16 sessions over 8 weeks

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.2147/JPR.S399132 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. BL23, BL24, BL25, BL26, BL40, BL60, GB30, GB31, GV03 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.13517/j.cnki.ccm.2025.05.015 ↗

Protocol (15 points)

100%

SP06 · BL23 · BL24 · BL25 · BL26 · BL27 · BL36 · BL40 · BL57 · BL60 · GB30 · GB31 · GB34 · GV03 · GV04

Point 1 of 15

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

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.13517/j.cnki.ccm.2025.05.015 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. BL23, BL24, BL25, BL26, BL40, BL60, GB30, GB31, GV03 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.2147/JPR.S399132 ↗
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How the studies delivered it

What the 3 studies behind the entries above ran, counted once per study. A record of the trials, not a recommendation.

  • Needling2 of 3
  • Electroacupuncture1 of 3

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

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