🎯 Location: On the shoulder directly above the nipple at the midpoint of the line connecting GV14 and acromion the at the highest point of the shoulder.
⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep needling – risk of pneumothorax. 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: 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. GB20, GV16, GV20 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1155/2017/7597363 ↗
🎯 Location: Superior to the styloid process of the radius 1.5 thumb widths above the transverse crease of the wrist between brachioradialis and tendon of the abductor policis longus.
⚠️ Cautions: Use with caution in patients with radial nerve sensitivity.
🎯 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.
🎯 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. ST40, GB20, GV20 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.12998/wjcc.v12.i19.3676 ↗
🎯 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: 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.
Corroborated by a second study. ST36, SP06, CV12 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000015148 ↗
🎯 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. SP04, PC06, GV20 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1186/s13063-017-2285-9 ↗
🎯 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.
🎯 Location: Proximal to the web margin the between 2nd and 3rd toes in the depression the distal and lateral to the 2nd metatarsodigital joint.
⚠️ 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 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.
🎯 Location: In the depression the between tip of the external malleolus and achilles tendon.
⚠️ 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 thumb widths proximal to the dorsal crease of the wrist on the line connecting TB04 and tip of the olecranon the between radius and ulna.
🎯 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.
🎯 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. LI04, ST44, SI03, BL60, PC06, TB05, TB20, GB08, GB13, GB20, GB34, GB40, LV03, GV20, GV24 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1186/1745-6215-14-374 ↗
🎯 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.
🎯 Location: On the dome of the instep of the foot between tendons of the long extensor muscle of the great the toe and long extensor muscle of the toes where pulsation of the dorsal artery of the foot is palpable.
Corroborated by a second study. ST36, ST40 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1186/1745-6215-12-241 ↗
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Digestion
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How the studies delivered it
What the 45 studies behind the entries above ran, counted once per study. A record of the trials, not a recommendation.
Needling22 of 45
Electroacupuncture11 of 45
Electrical stimulation on the skin6 of 45
Moxibustion3 of 45
Point injection1 of 45
Herbal plaster on points1 of 45
Sessions: the 21 studies that gave a count ran a median of 6 (middle half 1 to 12).
Course: the 29 studies that gave a length ran a median of 16 days (middle half 2 days to 6 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.
