Acupuncture Points for Mild Cognitive Impairment

77 sourced protocols, each with its citation.

Kinds of Mild Cognitive Impairment

This page covers 77 entries across every kind of mild cognitive impairment. Narrow it to the one you mean.

Each card names its evidence kind. What these labels mean

Protocol (11 points)

100%

LI04 · ST36 · ST40 · HT07 · KD03 · GB39 · LV03 · CV04 · CV06 · GV20 · GV24

LI04Junction Valley

LI04 acupoint
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🗺️ 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

ST36Leg Three Miles

ST36 acupoint
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🗺️ 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

ST40Abundant Bulge

ST40 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Stomach Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 豐隆 (fēng lóng)

🎯 Location: 8 thumb widths superior to the tip of the external malleolus, lateral to the ST38 about 2 finger breadth (middle finger) lateral to the anterior border of the tibia.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Chest Pain, Shortness of Breath, Phlegm, Asthma

HT07Spirit Gate

HT07 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Heart Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 神門 (shén mén)

🎯 Location: At the ulnar end of the transverse crease of the wrist in the depression on the radial side of the tendon of the flexor carpi ulnaris.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution in cardiac arrhythmias.

🛡️ Treats: Anxiety, Shortness of Breath, Palpitations, Common Cold, Heat

KD03Great Stream

KD03 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Kidney Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 太谿 (tài xī)

🎯 Location: In the depression the between tip of the medial malleolus and achilles tendon.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Chest Pain, Shortness of Breath, Heat Deficiency, Asthma

GB39Suspended Bell

GB39 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Gallbladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 懸鐘 (xuán zhōng)

🎯 Location: 3 thumb widths above the tip of the external malleolus on the anterior border of the fibula.

⚠️ Cautions: Contraindicated during pregnancy.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Anxiety, Knee Pain, Dizziness, Heat

LV03Great Surge

LV03 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Liver Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 太衝 (tài chōng)

🎯 Location: On the dorsum of the foot in the depression the distal to the junction of the 1st and 2nd metatarsal bones.

⚠️ Cautions: Monitor blood pressure and avoid strong stimulation where hypertension is uncontrolled or unstable; hypertensive crisis is a medical emergency.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Diarrhea, Anxiety, Shortness of Breath, Sweating

CV04Original Qi Gate

CV04 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Conception Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 關元 (guān yuán)

🎯 Location: On the anterior midline 3 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. Bleeding in pregnancy requires obstetric assessment.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Diarrhea, Anxiety, Shortness of Breath, Kidney Deficiency

CV06Sea Of Qi

CV06 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Conception Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 氣海 (qì hǎi)

🎯 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.

🛡️ Treats: Diarrhea, Shortness of Breath, Constipation, Yang Weakness, Abdominal Bloating

GV20100 Convergences

GV20 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Governing Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 百會 (bǎi huì)

🎯 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.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Chest Pain, Palpitations, Jaundice, Qi Deficiency

GV24Spirit Court

GV24 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Governing Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 神庭 (shén tíng)

🎯 Location: 0.5 thumb widths directly above the midpoint of the anterior hairline.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Shortness of Breath, Dizziness, Palpitations, Depression

Study-reported

Needling · 24 sessions over 8 weeks

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1002/brb3.70748 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI04, ST36, ST40, HT07, KD03, GB39, LV03, CV04, CV06, GV20, GV24 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1016/j.ibneur.2026.01.005 ↗
Press Needles
264 needles for this course · 3 boxes, $59.97

Protocol (16 points)

100%

LI04 · ST36 · ST40 · HT07 · KD03 · GB39 · LV03 · CV04 · CV06 · GV20 · GV24 · XH01A · XH01B · XH01C · XH01D · XH03

LI04Junction Valley

LI04 acupoint
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🗺️ 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

ST36Leg Three Miles

ST36 acupoint
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🗺️ 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

ST40Abundant Bulge

ST40 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Stomach Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 豐隆 (fēng lóng)

🎯 Location: 8 thumb widths superior to the tip of the external malleolus, lateral to the ST38 about 2 finger breadth (middle finger) lateral to the anterior border of the tibia.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Chest Pain, Shortness of Breath, Phlegm, Asthma

HT07Spirit Gate

HT07 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Heart Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 神門 (shén mén)

🎯 Location: At the ulnar end of the transverse crease of the wrist in the depression on the radial side of the tendon of the flexor carpi ulnaris.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution in cardiac arrhythmias.

🛡️ Treats: Anxiety, Shortness of Breath, Palpitations, Common Cold, Heat

KD03Great Stream

KD03 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Kidney Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 太谿 (tài xī)

🎯 Location: In the depression the between tip of the medial malleolus and achilles tendon.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Chest Pain, Shortness of Breath, Heat Deficiency, Asthma

GB39Suspended Bell

GB39 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Gallbladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 懸鐘 (xuán zhōng)

🎯 Location: 3 thumb widths above the tip of the external malleolus on the anterior border of the fibula.

⚠️ Cautions: Contraindicated during pregnancy.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Anxiety, Knee Pain, Dizziness, Heat

LV03Great Surge

LV03 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Liver Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 太衝 (tài chōng)

🎯 Location: On the dorsum of the foot in the depression the distal to the junction of the 1st and 2nd metatarsal bones.

⚠️ Cautions: Monitor blood pressure and avoid strong stimulation where hypertension is uncontrolled or unstable; hypertensive crisis is a medical emergency.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Diarrhea, Anxiety, Shortness of Breath, Sweating

CV04Original Qi Gate

CV04 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Conception Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 關元 (guān yuán)

🎯 Location: On the anterior midline 3 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. Bleeding in pregnancy requires obstetric assessment.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Diarrhea, Anxiety, Shortness of Breath, Kidney Deficiency

CV06Sea Of Qi

CV06 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Conception Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 氣海 (qì hǎi)

🎯 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.

🛡️ Treats: Diarrhea, Shortness of Breath, Constipation, Yang Weakness, Abdominal Bloating

GV20100 Convergences

GV20 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Governing Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 百會 (bǎi huì)

🎯 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.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Chest Pain, Palpitations, Jaundice, Qi Deficiency

GV24Spirit Court

GV24 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Governing Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 神庭 (shén tíng)

🎯 Location: 0.5 thumb widths directly above the midpoint of the anterior hairline.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Shortness of Breath, Dizziness, Palpitations, Depression

XH01AFour Spirit Brightness

XH01A acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Extra Points: Head

🇨🇳 Chinese: 四神聰 (sì shén cōng)

🎯 Location: Four points at the vertex of the scalp, grouped around baihui du-20 & located 1 thumb width anterior, posterior & lateral to the it.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Dizziness, Depression, Wind, Deafness, Epilepsy

XH01BFour Spirit Brightness

XH01B acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Extra Points: Head

🇨🇳 Chinese: 四神聰 (sì shén cōng)

🎯 Location: Four points at the vertex of the scalp, grouped around baihui du-20 & located 1 thumb width anterior, posterior & lateral to the it.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Dizziness, Depression, Wind, Deafness, Epilepsy

XH01CFour Spirit Brightness

XH01C acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Extra Points: Head

🇨🇳 Chinese: 四神聰 (sì shén cōng)

🎯 Location: Four points at the vertex of the scalp, grouped around baihui du-20 & located 1 thumb width anterior, posterior & lateral to the it.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Dizziness, Depression, Wind, Deafness, Epilepsy

XH01DFour Spirit Brightness

XH01D acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Extra Points: Head

🇨🇳 Chinese: 四神聰 (sì shén cōng)

🎯 Location: Four points at the vertex of the scalp, grouped around baihui du-20 & located 1 thumb width anterior, posterior & lateral to the it.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Dizziness, Depression, Wind, Deafness, Epilepsy

XH03Hall Of Impression Or Seal Hall

XH03 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Extra Points: Head

🇨🇳 Chinese: 印堂 (yìn táng)

🎯 Location: At the glabella, at the midpoint between the medial extremities of the eyebrows.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Anxiety, Dizziness, Wind, Facial Pain, Insomnia

Study-reported

Needling · 24 sessions over 8 weeks

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1002/brb3.70748 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI04, ST36, ST40, HT07, KD03, GB39, LV03, CV04, CV06, GV20, GV24, XH01A, XH01B, XH01C, XH01D, XH03 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1016/j.ibneur.2026.01.005 ↗
Press Needles
384 needles for this course · 4 boxes, $79.96

Protocol (16 points)

100%

LI04 · ST36 · ST40 · HT07 · KD03 · GB39 · LV03 · CV04 · CV06 · GV20 · GV24 · XH01A · XH01B · XH01C · XH01D · XH03

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

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

ST40Abundant Bulge

ST40 acupoint
Click to enlarge

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🗺️ Meridian: Stomach Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 豐隆 (fēng lóng)

🎯 Location: 8 thumb widths superior to the tip of the external malleolus, lateral to the ST38 about 2 finger breadth (middle finger) lateral to the anterior border of the tibia.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Chest Pain, Shortness of Breath, Phlegm, Asthma

HT07Spirit Gate

HT07 acupoint
Click to enlarge

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🗺️ Meridian: Heart Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 神門 (shén mén)

🎯 Location: At the ulnar end of the transverse crease of the wrist in the depression on the radial side of the tendon of the flexor carpi ulnaris.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution in cardiac arrhythmias.

🛡️ Treats: Anxiety, Shortness of Breath, Palpitations, Common Cold, Heat

KD03Great Stream

KD03 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Kidney Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 太谿 (tài xī)

🎯 Location: In the depression the between tip of the medial malleolus and achilles tendon.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Chest Pain, Shortness of Breath, Heat Deficiency, Asthma

GB39Suspended Bell

GB39 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Gallbladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 懸鐘 (xuán zhōng)

🎯 Location: 3 thumb widths above the tip of the external malleolus on the anterior border of the fibula.

⚠️ Cautions: Contraindicated during pregnancy.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Anxiety, Knee Pain, Dizziness, Heat

LV03Great Surge

LV03 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Liver Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 太衝 (tài chōng)

🎯 Location: On the dorsum of the foot in the depression the distal to the junction of the 1st and 2nd metatarsal bones.

⚠️ Cautions: Monitor blood pressure and avoid strong stimulation where hypertension is uncontrolled or unstable; hypertensive crisis is a medical emergency.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Diarrhea, Anxiety, Shortness of Breath, Sweating

CV04Original Qi Gate

CV04 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Conception Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 關元 (guān yuán)

🎯 Location: On the anterior midline 3 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. Bleeding in pregnancy requires obstetric assessment.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Diarrhea, Anxiety, Shortness of Breath, Kidney Deficiency

CV06Sea Of Qi

CV06 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Conception Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 氣海 (qì hǎi)

🎯 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.

🛡️ Treats: Diarrhea, Shortness of Breath, Constipation, Yang Weakness, Abdominal Bloating

GV20100 Convergences

GV20 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Governing Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 百會 (bǎi huì)

🎯 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.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Chest Pain, Palpitations, Jaundice, Qi Deficiency

GV24Spirit Court

GV24 acupoint
Click to enlarge

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🗺️ Meridian: Governing Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 神庭 (shén tíng)

🎯 Location: 0.5 thumb widths directly above the midpoint of the anterior hairline.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Shortness of Breath, Dizziness, Palpitations, Depression

XH01AFour Spirit Brightness

XH01A acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Extra Points: Head

🇨🇳 Chinese: 四神聰 (sì shén cōng)

🎯 Location: Four points at the vertex of the scalp, grouped around baihui du-20 & located 1 thumb width anterior, posterior & lateral to the it.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Dizziness, Depression, Wind, Deafness, Epilepsy

XH01BFour Spirit Brightness

XH01B acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Extra Points: Head

🇨🇳 Chinese: 四神聰 (sì shén cōng)

🎯 Location: Four points at the vertex of the scalp, grouped around baihui du-20 & located 1 thumb width anterior, posterior & lateral to the it.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Dizziness, Depression, Wind, Deafness, Epilepsy

XH01CFour Spirit Brightness

XH01C acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Extra Points: Head

🇨🇳 Chinese: 四神聰 (sì shén cōng)

🎯 Location: Four points at the vertex of the scalp, grouped around baihui du-20 & located 1 thumb width anterior, posterior & lateral to the it.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Dizziness, Depression, Wind, Deafness, Epilepsy

XH01DFour Spirit Brightness

XH01D acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Extra Points: Head

🇨🇳 Chinese: 四神聰 (sì shén cōng)

🎯 Location: Four points at the vertex of the scalp, grouped around baihui du-20 & located 1 thumb width anterior, posterior & lateral to the it.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Dizziness, Depression, Wind, Deafness, Epilepsy

XH03Hall Of Impression Or Seal Hall

XH03 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Extra Points: Head

🇨🇳 Chinese: 印堂 (yìn táng)

🎯 Location: At the glabella, at the midpoint between the medial extremities of the eyebrows.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Anxiety, Dizziness, Wind, Facial Pain, Insomnia

Study-reported

Needling · 24 sessions over 8 weeks

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1002/brb3.70748 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI04, ST36, ST40, HT07, KD03, GB39, LV03, CV04, CV06, GV20, GV24, XH01A, XH01B, XH01C, XH01D, XH03 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1016/j.ibneur.2026.01.005 ↗
Press Needles
384 needles for this course · 4 boxes, $79.96

Protocol (2 points)

100%

CVC01 · CYC11

CVC01Heart

CVC01 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

🗺️ Meridian: Auricular Points

🇨🇳 Chinese: 心 (xīn)

🎯 Location: A depression which is located at the center of Cavum Concha.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution in severe cardiac conditions.

🛡️ Treats: Hypertension, Arrhythmia, Neurasthenia, Raynaud's Disease, Heart Disease

CYC11Kidney

CYC11 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

🗺️ Meridian: Auricular Points

🇨🇳 Chinese: 腎 (shèn)

🎯 Location: At the superanterior corner of Cymba Concha.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Absent Periods, Impotence, Indigestion, Ascites, Nephritis

Study-reported

Electrical stimulation on the skin · a 24-week course

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1016/j.brs.2022.09.003 ↗
Not corroborated. No other study in the index uses any of these points for this search.

Protocol (3 points)

100%

GB20 · GV20 · GV24

GB20Wind Pool

GB20 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Gallbladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 風池 (fēng chí)

🎯 Location: In the depression the between upper portion of the scm and trapezius on the same level with GV16.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution with vertebral artery; avoid deep perpendicular needling.

🛡️ Treats: Stress, Fever, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Wind

GV20100 Convergences

GV20 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Governing Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 百會 (bǎi huì)

🎯 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.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Chest Pain, Palpitations, Jaundice, Qi Deficiency

GV24Spirit Court

GV24 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Governing Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 神庭 (shén tíng)

🎯 Location: 0.5 thumb widths directly above the midpoint of the anterior hairline.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Shortness of Breath, Dizziness, Palpitations, Depression

Study-reported

Electroacupuncture · an 8-week course

Did better than another treatment

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1016/s0254-6272(13)60099-0 ↗
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. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ↗

Protocol (2 points)

100%

LI04 · LV03

LI04Junction Valley

LI04 acupoint
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🗺️ 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

LV03Great Surge

LV03 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Liver Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 太衝 (tài chōng)

🎯 Location: On the dorsum of the foot in the depression the distal to the junction of the 1st and 2nd metatarsal bones.

⚠️ Cautions: Monitor blood pressure and avoid strong stimulation where hypertension is uncontrolled or unstable; hypertensive crisis is a medical emergency.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Diarrhea, Anxiety, Shortness of Breath, Sweating

Study-reported

Needling · 1 session

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1155/2018/7619197 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI04, LV03 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1002/brb3.70748 ↗
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Points cited for Mild Cognitive Impairment

How often each point appears across the 50 entries ranked highest for Mild Cognitive Impairment. Citation frequency, not a recommendation.

  • GV20100 ConvergencesGoverning Vessel42 of 50
  • GV24Spirit CourtGoverning Vessel25 of 50
  • GB20Wind PoolGallbladder Meridian18 of 50
  • ST36Leg Three MilesStomach Meridian16 of 50
  • HT07Spirit GateHeart Meridian13 of 50
  • GB39Suspended BellGallbladder Meridian10 of 50
  • KD03Great StreamKidney Meridian10 of 50
  • LV03Great SurgeLiver Meridian10 of 50
  • LI04Junction ValleyLarge Intestine Meridian8 of 50
  • XH03Hall Of Impression Or Seal HallExtra Points: Head8 of 50
  • KD13Qi HoleKidney Meridian7 of 50
  • ST40Abundant BulgeStomach Meridian7 of 50

Tested, no effect found

These studies tested the points below for Mild Cognitive Impairment and found no effect. They are not counted above.

KD03 – doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0099335 – No change from baseline; no control group

HT07 · CV04 · CV17 · GV20 – pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov – No better than another treatment

GB20 · GV20 · GV24 · XH01A · XH01B · XH01C · XH01D – doi:10.3390/brainsci10120984 – No better than usual care

Registered, results not reported

These trials registered a protocol for Mild Cognitive Impairment and have not reported results. They are not counted above.

LI04 · LI10 · LI11 · LI15 · ST34 · ST36 · ST40 · ST41 · SP06 · TB05 · GB34 · LV03 – doi:10.1186/1745-6215-15-214

LI04 · LI10 · LI11 · LI15 · ST34 · ST36 · ST40 · ST41 · SP06 · TB05 · GB13 · GB34 · LV03 · GV20 · GV24 – doi:10.1186/1745-6215-15-214

KD03 · GB13 · GB20 · GB39 · GV20 · GV24 – doi:10.1186/s13063-015-0740-z

BL18 · BL23 · GV14 · GV20 – doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000027686

LI04 · ST36 · GV20 · XH01A · XH01B · XH01C · XH01D – doi:10.1186/s13063-019-3446-9

GB20 · GV20 · GV24 · XH01A · XH01B · XH01C · XH01D – doi:10.1186/s13063-019-3670-3

KD03 · GB20 · GV20 · GV24 · XH01A · XH01B · XH01C · XH01D – doi:10.1186/s13063-019-3670-3

BL18 · BL23 · GV14 · GV20 – doi:10.21203/rs.2.21321/v1

LI04 · SP06 · HT07 · LV03 · GV19 · GV21 · GV24 · GV25 · XH03 – doi:10.3389/fneur.2025.1674098

KD03 · GB13 · GB20 · GB39 · GV20 · GV24 · XH01A · XH01B · XH01C · XH01D – doi:10.1186/s13063-015-0740-z

GV20 · XH01A · XH01B · XH01C · XH01D – doi:10.1186/s12906-023-04060-2

ST36 · SP06 · HT07 · KD03 · CV12 · GV20 · XH01A · XH01B · XH01C · XH01D – doi:10.1016/j.imr.2018.06.002

LI04 · SP06 · HT07 · LV03 · GV20 · GV24 · XH01A · XH01B · XH01C · XH01D · XH03 · XH16 – doi:10.1186/s13063-019-3212-z – Merged arms: acupuncture with Yishen Granule and with placebo granule

GB20 · GV20 · GV24 · XH01A · XH01B · XH01C · XH01D – doi:10.1186/s13063-019-3599-6

ST36 · SP06 · SI06 · GB13 · GB20 · GB39 · GV20 · XH01A · XH01B · XH01C · XH01D – doi:10.3389/fnhum.2022.891411

HT07 · KD03 · GV20 · GV24 · XH16 – doi:10.3389/fmed.2023.1198579

LI04 · SP06 · HT07 · KD03 · PC06 · LV03 · CV04 · CV06 · GV20 · GV24 · XH01A · XH01B · XH01C · XH01D · XH03 – doi:10.1016/j.conctc.2023.101231

GV20 · GV24 · XH01A · XH01B · XH01C · XH01D – doi:10.3389/fneur.2024.1346858

HT07 · KD04 · GB39 · GV20 · GV24 · XH01A · XH01B · XH01C · XH01D – doi:10.3389/fneur.2024.1403785

SP06 · KD03 · KD04 · GV20 · GV24 – doi:10.2147/JMDH.S516654

LI04 · ST36 · ST40 · HT07 · KD03 · GB39 · LV03 · CV04 · CV06 · GV20 · GV24 · XH01A · XH01B · XH01C · XH01D · XH03 – doi:10.3389/fneur.2025.1536291

ST36 · ST40 · PC06 · LV03 · GV20 · GV24 – doi:10.2196/70876

ST02 · ST40 · SP06 · HT07 · BL10 · PC06 · GB12 · GB20 · LV03 · GV20 · GV26 · XH01A · XH01B · XH01C · XH01D – doi:10.2147/NDT.S585695

SP06 · KD03 · KD04 · GV20 · GV24 – doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0346717

How the studies delivered it

What the 20 studies behind the entries above ran, counted once per study. A record of the trials, not a recommendation.

  • Needling9 of 20
  • Electroacupuncture4 of 20
  • Acupressure2 of 20
  • Electrical stimulation on the skin1 of 20
  • Point injection1 of 20

Sessions: the 8 studies that gave a count ran a median of 24 (middle half 19 to 25).

Course: the 12 studies that gave a length ran a median of 8 weeks (middle half 8 weeks to 86 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.