Acupuncture Points for Lumbar Pain

71 sourced protocols, each with its citation.

Points cited for Lumbar Pain

How often each point appears across the 50 entries ranked highest for Lumbar Pain. Citation frequency, not a recommendation.

  • BL23Kidney Shu PointBladder Meridian35 of 50
  • BL25Large Intestine Shu PointBladder Meridian26 of 50
  • BL40Middle Of The CreaseBladder Meridian25 of 50
  • GV03Yang Lumbar GateGoverning Vessel13 of 50
  • GB34Yang Mound SpringGallbladder Meridian12 of 50
  • GB30Jumping CircleGallbladder Meridian11 of 50
  • BL24Sea Of Qi Shu PointBladder Meridian8 of 50
  • BL26Original Qi Gate Shu PointBladder Meridian8 of 50
  • GV04Life GateGoverning Vessel8 of 50
  • SP06Three Yin IntersectionSpleen Meridian7 of 50
  • BL57Mountain SupportBladder Meridian6 of 50
  • BL60Kunlun (Mountains)Bladder Meridian6 of 50

Each card names its evidence kind. What these labels mean

Protocol (2 points)

100%

GB25 · LV02

Point 1 of 2

GB25Capital Gate

GB25 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Gallbladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 京門 (jīng mén)

🎯 Location: On the lateral side of the abdomen on the lower border of the free end of the 12th rib.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep needling; risk of pneumothorax.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Diarrhea, Common Cold, Vomiting, Abdominal Bloating

Study-reported

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1155/2012/268237
Not corroborated. No other study in the index uses any of these points for this search.

Protocol (9 points)

100%

BL23 · BL24 · BL25 · BL26 · BL32 · BL40 · BL60 · GB30 · GB34

Point 1 of 9

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

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1155/2013/872142
Corroborated by a second study. BL23, BL24, BL25, BL26, BL40, BL60, GB30, 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

Single-point entry

100%

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:10.1155/2015/238790
Corroborated by a second study. SP06 also appears in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.12998/wjcc.v11.i10.2308

Protocol (3 points)

100%

BL23 · BL25 · BL40

Point 1 of 3

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

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1155/2019/4024501
Corroborated by a second study. BL23, BL25, BL40 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1155/2013/872142

Protocol (9 points)

100%

SP06 · BL22 · BL23 · BL24 · BL25 · BL26 · BL40 · KD03 · GB30

Point 1 of 9

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:10.12998/wjcc.v11.i10.2308
Corroborated by a second study. SP06, BL23, BL24, BL25, BL26, BL40, GB30 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 (4 points)

100%

BL23 · BL25 · BL26 · BL54

Point 1 of 4

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

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000034407
Corroborated by a second study. BL23, BL25, BL26 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1155/2013/872142
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Using Acupoints for Lumbar 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 Lumbar Pain
  • Symptoms worsen despite treatment
  • If you have underlying health conditions

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