# Acupoints for Lumbar Disc Herniation

40 sourced protocols for Lumbar Disc Herniation. Canonical page: https://acuiq.com/symptoms/lumbar-disc-herniation

## Protocols

| # | Points | Dosage | Frequency | Source | Kind | Caveat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BL25 (Large Intestine Shu Point), BL40 (Middle Of The Crease) | – | – | doi:10.1155/2013/718593 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 2 | BL25 (Large Intestine Shu Point), GV02 (Lumbar Point) | – | – | doi:10.1155/2014/154941 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 3 | BL25 (Large Intestine Shu Point), BL40 (Middle Of The Crease) | – | – | doi:10.1155/2014/154941 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 4 | BL25 (Large Intestine Shu Point), BL40 (Middle Of The Crease), GB30 (Jumping Circle), GB34 (Yang Mound Spring), GB39 (Suspended Bell), GB40 (Mound) | – | – | doi:10.1155/2014/154941 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 5 | BL23 (Kidney Shu Point), BL24 (Sea Of Qi Shu Point), BL25 (Large Intestine Shu Point), BL26 (Original Qi Gate Shu Point), BL36 (Support), BL37 (Gate Of Abundance), BL40 (Middle Of The Crease), BL57 (Mountain Support), BL60 (Kunlun (Mountains)), GB30 (Jumping Circle) | – | – | doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000036684 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 6 | ST25 (Celestial Pivot), BL18 (Liver Shu Point), BL23 (Kidney Shu Point), GB34 (Yang Mound Spring), GV14 (Great Vertebra) | – | – | doi:10.13702/j.1000-0607.20210951 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 7 | BL23 (Kidney Shu Point), BL40 (Middle Of The Crease) | – | – | doi:10.13702/j.1000-0607.20230167 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 8 | ST36 (Leg Three Miles), SI03 (Back Stream), BL23 (Kidney Shu Point), BL40 (Middle Of The Crease), BL60 (Kunlun (Mountains)), KD03 (Great Stream), GB30 (Jumping Circle), GB34 (Yang Mound Spring), CV04 (Original Qi Gate), GV04 (Life Gate), GV26 (Philtrum) | – | – | doi:10.19945/j.cnki.issn.1006-3250.2009.09.025 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 9 | BL40 (Middle Of The Crease), GB30 (Jumping Circle), GB34 (Yang Mound Spring) | – | – | doi:10.16448/j.cjtcm.2005.06.045 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 10 | BL25 (Large Intestine Shu Point), BL26 (Original Qi Gate Shu Point), BL36 (Support), BL54 (Lowermost In Order), BL57 (Mountain Support), GB30 (Jumping Circle), GB34 (Yang Mound Spring) | – | – | doi:10.16448/j.cjtcm.2005.06.045 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 11 | ST25 (Celestial Pivot), BL23 (Kidney Shu Point), BL25 (Large Intestine Shu Point), BL57 (Mountain Support), KD09 (Guest House), KD10 (Yin Valley), LV08 (Spring At The Bend) | – | – | doi:10.27180/d.cnki.gjxzc.2024.000134 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 12 | BL23 (Kidney Shu Point), BL40 (Middle Of The Crease), GB30 (Jumping Circle), GB34 (Yang Mound Spring) | – | – | doi:10.27879/d.cnki.ggxzy.2025.000295 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 13 | GB26 (Girdle Vessel), GB27 (Fifth Pivot), GB28 (Linking Path) | – | – | doi:10.27674/d.cnki.gcyku.2024.001419 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 14 | BL23 (Kidney Shu Point), BL25 (Large Intestine Shu Point), BL40 (Middle Of The Crease), GV03 (Yang Lumbar Gate), GV04 (Life Gate) | – | – | doi:10.27180/d.cnki.gjxzc.2023.000311 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 15 | BL40 (Middle Of The Crease), BL54 (Lowermost In Order), BL57 (Mountain Support), BL60 (Kunlun (Mountains)), GB30 (Jumping Circle), GB31 (Wind Market), GB34 (Yang Mound Spring), GB39 (Suspended Bell) | – | – | doi:10.1155/prm/9030734 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 16 | BL23 (Kidney Shu Point), BL25 (Large Intestine Shu Point), BL40 (Middle Of The Crease), GV03 (Yang Lumbar Gate) | – | – | doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20240522-k0002 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 17 | ST25 (Celestial Pivot), KD12 (Great Manifestation), CV04 (Original Qi Gate), CV06 (Sea Of Qi), CV12 (Stomach Centre), GV20 (100 Convergences) | – | – | doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20240522-k0002 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 18 | GV03 (Yang Lumbar Gate), GV06 (Spine Centre), GV14 (Great Vertebra), GV20 (100 Convergences) | – | – | doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20240522-k0002 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 19 | BL23 (Kidney Shu Point), BL25 (Large Intestine Shu Point), BL60 (Kunlun (Mountains)), GB34 (Yang Mound Spring) | – | – | doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20250228-0001 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 20 | BL23 (Kidney Shu Point), BL25 (Large Intestine Shu Point), BL40 (Middle Of The Crease), BL60 (Kunlun (Mountains)), GB30 (Jumping Circle), GV01 (Long Strength), GV02 (Lumbar Point), GV03 (Yang Lumbar Gate), GV04 (Life Gate) | – | – | doi:10.3389/fmed.2025.1674464 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 21 | BL23 (Kidney Shu Point), BL25 (Large Intestine Shu Point), BL36 (Support), BL40 (Middle Of The Crease), BL57 (Mountain Support), BL60 (Kunlun (Mountains)), GB30 (Jumping Circle) | – | – | doi:10.2147/jpr.s592723 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 22 | BL54 (Lowermost In Order), GB30 (Jumping Circle), GB34 (Yang Mound Spring), GB39 (Suspended Bell) | – | – | doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e20041 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 23 | BL23 (Kidney Shu Point), GV03 (Yang Lumbar Gate), GV04 (Life Gate), XB02L1 (Hua Tuo's Para-Vertebral Point - L1), XB02L2 (Hua Tuo's Para-Vertebral Point - L2), XB02L3 (Hua Tuo's Para-Vertebral Point - L3), XB02L4 (Hua Tuo's Para-Vertebral Point - L4), XB02L5 (Hua Tuo's Para-Vertebral Point - L5) | – | – | doi:10.2147/JPR.S457724 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 24 | BL23 (Kidney Shu Point), BL25 (Large Intestine Shu Point), BL40 (Middle Of The Crease), XB02L1 (Hua Tuo's Para-Vertebral Point - L1), XB02L2 (Hua Tuo's Para-Vertebral Point - L2), XB02L3 (Hua Tuo's Para-Vertebral Point - L3), XB02L4 (Hua Tuo's Para-Vertebral Point - L4), XB02L5 (Hua Tuo's Para-Vertebral Point - L5) | – | – | doi:10.2147/JPR.S457724 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 25 | BL23 (Kidney Shu Point), BL25 (Large Intestine Shu Point), BL40 (Middle Of The Crease), GV03 (Yang Lumbar Gate), XB02L3 (Hua Tuo's Para-Vertebral Point - L3), XB02L4 (Hua Tuo's Para-Vertebral Point - L4), XB02L5 (Hua Tuo's Para-Vertebral Point - L5) | – | – | doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20240522-k0002 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 26 | ST25 (Celestial Pivot), KD12 (Great Manifestation), CV04 (Original Qi Gate), CV06 (Sea Of Qi), CV12 (Stomach Centre), GV03 (Yang Lumbar Gate), GV06 (Spine Centre), GV14 (Great Vertebra), GV20 (100 Convergences) | – | – | doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20240522-k0002 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 27 | SI03 (Back Stream), BL23 (Kidney Shu Point), BL25 (Large Intestine Shu Point), BL40 (Middle Of The Crease), BL57 (Mountain Support), GB30 (Jumping Circle) | – | – | doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000049151 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 28 | BL40 (Middle Of The Crease), BL54 (Lowermost In Order), BL57 (Mountain Support), BL60 (Kunlun (Mountains)), GB30 (Jumping Circle), GB31 (Wind Market), GB34 (Yang Mound Spring), GB39 (Suspended Bell), XB02L4 (Hua Tuo's Para-Vertebral Point - L4), XB02L5 (Hua Tuo's Para-Vertebral Point - L5), XB02S1 (Hua Tuo's Para-Vertebral Point - S1) | – | – | doi:10.1155/prm/9030734 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 29 | BL23 (Kidney Shu Point), BL25 (Large Intestine Shu Point), BL40 (Middle Of The Crease), XB02L3 (Hua Tuo's Para-Vertebral Point - L3), XB02L4 (Hua Tuo's Para-Vertebral Point - L4), XB02L5 (Hua Tuo's Para-Vertebral Point - L5), XB02S1 (Hua Tuo's Para-Vertebral Point - S1) | – | – | doi:10.2147/JPR.S594368 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 30 | BL23 (Kidney Shu Point), BL25 (Large Intestine Shu Point), BL26 (Original Qi Gate Shu Point), BL36 (Support), BL40 (Middle Of The Crease), BL57 (Mountain Support), GB30 (Jumping Circle), GB34 (Yang Mound Spring), GB39 (Suspended Bell), GV03 (Yang Lumbar Gate) | – | – | doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000036425 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 31 | BL23 (Kidney Shu Point), BL24 (Sea Of Qi Shu Point), BL25 (Large Intestine Shu Point), BL26 (Original Qi Gate Shu Point), BL27 (Small Intestine Shu Point), BL30 (White Ring Shu Point), BL40 (Middle Of The Crease), GB30 (Jumping Circle) | – | – | doi:10.3389/fpain.2026.1853632 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 32 | ST36 (Leg Three Miles), BL24 (Sea Of Qi Shu Point), BL25 (Large Intestine Shu Point), BL26 (Original Qi Gate Shu Point), BL28 (Bladder Shu Point), BL57 (Mountain Support), GB30 (Jumping Circle), GB34 (Yang Mound Spring) | – | – | Clinical Research on the Efficacy of Thread-embedding Acupuncture on Herniated Intervertebral Disc of Lumbar Spine. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03236753 | text | Point selection recorded in a clinical text or case report. |
| 33 | BL23 (Kidney Shu Point), BL40 (Middle Of The Crease), GB30 (Jumping Circle), GB34 (Yang Mound Spring) | – | – | 姜伟陈少宗王喆万红棉. 基于数据挖掘技术探讨温针灸治疗腰椎间盘突出症选穴规律与作用机制研究. 世界中医药 ., 2024 [CNKI] | text | Point selection recorded in a clinical text or case report. |
| 34 | ST25 (Celestial Pivot), BL17 (Diaphragm Shu Point), BL23 (Kidney Shu Point), BL40 (Middle Of The Crease), BL54 (Lowermost In Order), BL57 (Mountain Support), PC06 (Inner Gate), GB31 (Wind Market), GB34 (Yang Mound Spring), LV08 (Spring At The Bend) | – | – | 颜纯钏刘慧李琳慧付勇唐奔胡思越陈平. 龙虎交战针法针刺力敏腧穴治疗气滞血瘀型腰椎间盘突出症的效果. 中国医学创新 ., 2023 [CNKI] | text | Point selection recorded in a clinical text or case report. |
| 35 | GB30 (Jumping Circle) | – | – | doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000032622 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 36 | PC06 (Inner Gate) | – | – | doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000044667 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 37 | ST36 (Leg Three Miles) | – | – | doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000044667 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 38 | GB30 (Jumping Circle) | – | – | doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000032622 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 39 | GB30 (Jumping Circle) | – | – | 马碧涛金立伦滕蔚然刘秀丽. 单穴配环跳深刺电针治疗腰椎间盘突出症的疗效研究. 中国中医骨伤科杂志 ., 2015 [CNKI] | text | Point selection recorded in a clinical text or case report. |
| 40 | GB26 (Girdle Vessel) | – | – | 邓越王世广 王桂玲毛雪文周小平杨怡姚金李明娜. 带脉穴透刺法治疗腰椎间盘突出症的临床效果. 中国医药导报 ., 2019 [CNKI] | text | Point selection recorded in a clinical text or case report. |

## Point locations

| Point | Name | Meridian | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| BL25 | Large Intestine Shu Point | Bladder Meridian | 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the GV03 at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 4th lumbar vertebra. |
| BL40 | Middle Of The Crease | Bladder Meridian | Midpoint of the transverse crease of the popliteal fossa between tendons of the biceps femoris and semitendinosus. |
| GV02 | Lumbar Point | Governing Vessel | In the hiatus of the sacrum. |
| GB30 | Jumping Circle | Gallbladder Meridian | At the junction of the lateral ⅓ and medial ⅔ of the distance between prominence of the greater trochanter and hiatus of the sacrum, GV02; when locating point put patient in the lateral recumbent position the with thigh flexed. |
| GB34 | Yang Mound Spring | Gallbladder Meridian | In the depression the anterior and inferior to the head of the fibula. |
| GB39 | Suspended Bell | Gallbladder Meridian | 3 thumb widths above the tip of the external malleolus on the anterior border of the fibula. |
| GB40 | Mound | Gallbladder Meridian | Anterior and inferior to the external malleolus in the depression on the lateral side of the tendon of the extensor digitorum longus. |
| BL23 | Kidney Shu Point | Bladder Meridian | 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the GV04 at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 2nd lumbar vertebra. |
| BL24 | Sea Of Qi Shu Point | Bladder Meridian | 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the du mai at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 3rd lumbar vertebra. |
| BL26 | Original Qi Gate Shu Point | Bladder Meridian | 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the du mai at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 5th lumbar vertebra. |
| BL36 | Support | Bladder Meridian | On the posterior side of the thigh at the midpoint of the inferior gluteal crease. |
| BL37 | Gate Of Abundance | Bladder Meridian | 6 thumb widths below BL36 on the line joining BL36 and BL40. |
| BL57 | Mountain Support | Bladder Meridian | On the posterior midline of the leg between BL40 and BL60 in the pointed depression the formed below gastrocnemius belly when leg is stretched or heel is lifted. |
| BL60 | Kunlun (Mountains) | Bladder Meridian | In the depression the between tip of the external malleolus and achilles tendon. |
| ST25 | Celestial Pivot | Stomach Meridian | 2 thumb widths lateral to the center of the umbilicus. |
| BL18 | Liver Shu Point | Bladder Meridian | 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the GV08 at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 9th thoracic vertebra. |
| GV14 | Great Vertebra | Governing Vessel | Below spinous process of the 7th cervical vertebra approximately at the level of the shoulders. |
| ST36 | Leg Three Miles | Stomach Meridian | 3 thumb widths below ST35, 1 finger breadth (middle finger) from anterior border of the tibia. |
| SI03 | Back Stream | Small Intestine Meridian | When loose fist is made point is on the ulnar end of the distal palmar crease proximal to the 5th metacarpophalangeal joint at the end of the transverse crease and junction of the red and white skin. |
| KD03 | Great Stream | Kidney Meridian | In the depression the between tip of the medial malleolus and achilles tendon. |
| CV04 | Original Qi Gate | Conception Vessel | On the anterior midline 3 thumb widths below umbilicus. |
| GV04 | Life Gate | Governing Vessel | Below spinous process of the 2nd lumbar vertebra. |
| GV26 | Philtrum | Governing Vessel | At the junction of the upper ⅓ and middle ⅓ of the philtrum. |
| BL54 | Lowermost In Order | Bladder Meridian | On the level of the 4th posterior sacral foramen 3 thumb widths lateral to the median sacral crest. |
| KD09 | Guest House | Kidney Meridian | 5 thumb widths directly above the KD03 at the lower end of the belly of the gastrocnemius on the line drawn from KD03 to the KD10. |
| KD10 | Yin Valley | Kidney Meridian | When knee is flexed point is on the medial side of the popliteal fossa between tendons of the semitendinosus and semimembranosus at the level with BL40. |
| LV08 | Spring At The Bend | Liver Meridian | When knee is flexed point is at the medial end of the transverse popliteal crease posterior to the medial epicondyle of the tibia in the depression of the anterior border of the insertions of the semimembranosus and semitendinosus. |
| GB26 | Girdle Vessel | Gallbladder Meridian | Directly below lr13 (zhangmen) at the crossing point of the vertical line through free end of the 11th rib and horizontal line through umbilicus. |
| GB27 | Fifth Pivot | Gallbladder Meridian | In the lateral side of the abdomen anterior to the superior iliac spine 3 thumb widths below level of the umbilicus. |
| GB28 | Linking Path | Gallbladder Meridian | Anterior and inferior to the anterior superior iliac spine 0.5 thumb widths anterior and inferior to the GB27. |
| GV03 | Yang Lumbar Gate | Governing Vessel | Below spinous process of the 4th lumbar vertebra at the level with iliac crest. |
| GB31 | Wind Market | Gallbladder Meridian | On the midline of the lateral aspect of the thigh, 7 thumb widths above the transverse popliteal crease; when patient is standing erect with hands close to the sides, point is where tip of the middle finger touches. |
| KD12 | Great Manifestation | Kidney Meridian | 4 thumb widths below umbilicus 0.5 thumb widths lateral to the CV03. |
| CV06 | Sea Of Qi | Conception Vessel | On the anterior midline 1.5 thumb widths below umbilicus. |
| CV12 | Stomach Centre | Conception Vessel | On the anterior midline 4 thumb widths above the umbilicus. |
| GV20 | 100 Convergences | Governing Vessel | On the midline of the head 5 thumb widths directly above the midpoint of the anterior hairline approximately on the midpoint of the line connecting apex of the ears. |
| GV06 | Spine Centre | Governing Vessel | Below spinous process of the 11th thoracic vertebra. |
| GV01 | Long Strength | Governing Vessel | Midway between tip of the coccyx and anus, locate point with patient in the prone position. |
| XB02L1 | Hua Tuo's Para-Vertebral Point - L1 | Extra Points: Back | 0.5 - 1 thumb width lateral to the depressions below the spinous processes of the first lumbar vertebra. |
| XB02L2 | Hua Tuo's Para-Vertebral Point - L2 | Extra Points: Back | 0.5 - 1 thumb width lateral to the depressions below the spinous processes of the second lumbar vertebra. |
| XB02L3 | Hua Tuo's Para-Vertebral Point - L3 | Extra Points: Back | 0.5 - 1 thumb width lateral to the depressions below the spinous processes of the third lumbar vertebra. |
| XB02L4 | Hua Tuo's Para-Vertebral Point - L4 | Extra Points: Back | 0.5 - 1 thumb width lateral to the depressions below the spinous processes of the fourth lumbar vertebra. |
| XB02L5 | Hua Tuo's Para-Vertebral Point - L5 | Extra Points: Back | 0.5 - 1 thumb width lateral to the depressions below the spinous processes of the fifth lumbar vertebra. |
| XB02S1 | Hua Tuo's Para-Vertebral Point - S1 | Extra Points: Back | 0.5 - 1 thumb width lateral to the depressions below the spinous processes of the twelve thoracic vertebrae & five lumbar vertebrae in the clinical practice the points located 0.5 - 1 thumb width lateral to the depressions below the spinous processes of the seven cervical vertebra are also used as additional huatuojiaji points. |
| BL27 | Small Intestine Shu Point | Bladder Meridian | 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the du mai at the level of the 1st posterior sacral foramen. |
| BL30 | White Ring Shu Point | Bladder Meridian | 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the du mai at the level of the 4th posterior sacral foramen. |
| BL28 | Bladder Shu Point | Bladder Meridian | 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the du mai at the level of the 2nd posterior sacral foramen. |
| BL17 | Diaphragm Shu Point | Bladder Meridian | 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the GV09 at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 7th thoracic vertebra. |
| PC06 | Inner Gate | Pericardium Meridian | 2 thumb widths above the transverse crease of the wrist between tendons of the palmaris longus and flexor carpi radialis. |

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AcuiQ-authored prose (symptom and meridian descriptions, the wiki, the auricular crosswalk) is licensed CC-BY-4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/. The assembled protocol compilation is not: build on it with attribution, but do not redistribute it whole as a dataset – https://acuiq.com/terms. The underlying findings are the cited sources' claims – each entry carries its citation; verify against the source before relying on it. Not medical advice: https://acuiq.com/terms