🎯 Location: 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the GV11 at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 5th thoracic vertebra.
⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep perpendicular needling – risk of pneumothorax. New, worsening or unstable cardiac symptoms need medical assessment before treatment.
🎯 Location: 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.
Corroborated by a second study. BL11, BL13, BL15, BL18, BL20, BL23 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1186/s12967-023-04250-z ↗
🎯 Location: 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the GV11 at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 5th thoracic vertebra.
⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep perpendicular needling – risk of pneumothorax. New, worsening or unstable cardiac symptoms need medical assessment before treatment.
🎯 Location: On the anterior midline 1.5 thumb widths below umbilicus.
⚠️ Cautions: Avoid needling over the gravid uterus after the first trimester; where used in pregnancy, needle shallowly and only on a clear obstetric indication.
Corroborated by a second study. BL15, CV06 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1186/1745-6215-15-442 ↗
🎯 Location: 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.
Corroborated by a second study. GV20, GV24 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.3233/JAD-201353 ↗
🎯 Location: When knee is flexed point is 2 thumb widths above the mediosuperior border of the patella on the bulge of the medial portion of the quadriceps femoris.
⚠️ Cautions: Anticoagulant therapy or a coagulopathy raises the risk of haematoma at the needling site – apply prolonged pressure on withdrawal. The precaution governs technique; bleeding disorders remain a treatable indication.
🎯 Location: When palm faces upward point is on the radial side of the tendon of the flexor carpi ulnaris, 1 thumb width above the transverse crease of the wrist.
🎯 Location: 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the GV11 at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 5th thoracic vertebra.
⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep perpendicular needling – risk of pneumothorax. New, worsening or unstable cardiac symptoms need medical assessment before treatment.
🎯 Location: 3 thumb widths lateral to the GV10 at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 6th thoracic vertebra on the spinal border of the scapula.
⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep perpendicular needling due to risk of pneumothorax.
🎯 Location: In the depression the below tip of the medial malleolus.
⚠️ 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.
🎯 Location: On the anterior midline 1.5 thumb widths below umbilicus.
⚠️ Cautions: Avoid needling over the gravid uterus after the first trimester; where used in pregnancy, needle shallowly and only on a clear obstetric indication.
🎯 Location: On the anterior midline 4 thumb widths above the umbilicus.
⚠️ Cautions: Avoid needling over the gravid uterus after the first trimester; where used in pregnancy, needle shallowly and only on a clear obstetric indication.
🎯 Location: On the anterior midline at the level with 4th intercostal space, midway between nipples.
⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep needling – needle transversely along the sternum. New, worsening or unstable cardiac symptoms need medical assessment before treatment.
🎯 Location: 1 thumb width directly above the midpoint of the posterior hairline directly below external occipital protuberance in the depression the between trapezius of the both sides.
⚠️ Cautions: Caution; proximity to foramen magnum.
🎯 Location: 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.
Corroborated by a second study. ST36, GV16, GV20 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.2022.942682 ↗
🎯 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.
🎯 Location: 2.5 thumb widths directly above the midpoint of the posterior hairline 1.5 thumb widths directly above the GV16 in the depression on the upper border of the external occipital protuberance.
🎯 Location: 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.
Corroborated by a second study. GB20, GV20, GV24 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.2022.942682 ↗
🎯 Location: 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the GV11 at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 5th thoracic vertebra.
⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep perpendicular needling – risk of pneumothorax. New, worsening or unstable cardiac symptoms need medical assessment before treatment.
Corroborated by a second study. BL11, BL13, BL15, BL18, BL20, BL23 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1186/1745-6215-14-147 ↗
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How the studies delivered it
What the 14 studies behind the entries above ran, counted once per study. A record of the trials, not a recommendation.
Needling11 of 14
Electroacupuncture2 of 14
Moxibustion2 of 14
Sessions: the 8 studies that gave a count ran a median of 24 (middle half 12 to 24).
Course: the 9 studies that gave a length ran a median of 8 weeks (middle half 4 weeks to 10 weeks).
After a treatment: what large safety surveys recorded, and which reactions need a doctor.
Disclaimer: The acupoint information provided is for educational purposes only.