# Acupoints for Neck Chronic Pain

23 sourced protocols for Neck Chronic Pain. Canonical page: https://acuiq.com/symptoms/neck-chronic-pain

## Protocols

| # | Points | Dosage | Frequency | Source | Kind | Caveat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SI14 (Outer Shoulder Point), SI15 (Middle Shoulder Point), GB21 (Shoulder Well) | – | – | doi:10.1155/2011/543291 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 2 | LI04 (Junction Valley), LI10 (Arm Three Miles), LI11 (Pond At The Bend) | – | – | doi:10.1155/2011/543291 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 3 | SI12 (Grasping The Wind), SI14 (Outer Shoulder Point), BL11 (Great Shuttle), BL12 (Wind Gate), TB15 (Heavenly Bone Hole), GB21 (Shoulder Well) | – | – | doi:10.1186/1745-6215-15-132 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 4 | LI11 (Pond At The Bend), HT07 (Spirit Gate), SI03 (Back Stream), SI15 (Middle Shoulder Point), BL10 (Celestial Pillar), BL65 (Restraining Bone), PC06 (Inner Gate), TB03 (Central Islet), TB15 (Heavenly Bone Hole), GB20 (Wind Pool), GB34 (Yang Mound Spring), GB39 (Suspended Bell), GB41 (Foot Governor Of Tears), CV14 (Great Palace Gate) | – | – | doi:10.1186/s12906-016-1027-y | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 5 | LI15 (Shoulder And Clavicle), SI15 (Middle Shoulder Point), GB21 (Shoulder Well) | – | – | doi:10.1155/2016/7358918 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 6 | BL10 (Celestial Pillar), GB12 (Mastoid Process), GB20 (Wind Pool), GB21 (Shoulder Well), GV14 (Great Vertebra), GV15 (Gate Of Muteness), GV16 (Wind Mansion) | – | – | doi:10.1186/s13063-017-2418-1 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 7 | LI16 (Great Bone), SI14 (Outer Shoulder Point), SI15 (Middle Shoulder Point), BL11 (Great Shuttle), TB15 (Heavenly Bone Hole) | – | – | doi:10.1111/cns.14335 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 8 | SI14 (Outer Shoulder Point), BL10 (Celestial Pillar), BL42 (Door Of The Corporeal Soul), GB21 (Shoulder Well) | – | – | doi:10.3390/medicina59122141 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 9 | BL10 (Celestial Pillar), TB14 (Shoulder Bone Hole), GB20 (Wind Pool), GV16 (Wind Mansion) | – | – | doi:10.2147/JPR.S553978 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 10 | HT07 (Spirit Gate), KD03 (Great Stream), GB12 (Mastoid Process), GV20 (100 Convergences), XH03 (Hall Of Impression Or Seal Hall), XH15 (Hundred Taxations) | – | – | doi:10.2147/JPR.S598575 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 11 | LI11 (Pond At The Bend), BL10 (Celestial Pillar), TB05 (Outer Gate), GB20 (Wind Pool) | – | – | doi:10.3389/fmed.2025.1701076 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 12 | KD03 (Great Stream), KD09 (Guest House), KD10 (Yin Valley) | – | – | doi:10.2147/jpr.s515232 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 13 | SI15 (Middle Shoulder Point), GB20 (Wind Pool), GB21 (Shoulder Well) | – | – | doi:10.2147/jpr.s515232 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 14 | SI11 (Heavenly Gathering), BL10 (Celestial Pillar), GB20 (Wind Pool), GB21 (Shoulder Well) | – | – | doi:10.3233/THC-228048 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 15 | SI03 (Back Stream), SI11 (Heavenly Gathering), BL10 (Celestial Pillar), GB20 (Wind Pool), GB21 (Shoulder Well) | – | – | doi:10.3233/THC-228048 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 16 | LI04 (Junction Valley), SI03 (Back Stream), BL60 (Kunlun (Mountains)), TB05 (Outer Gate), GB20 (Wind Pool), GB21 (Shoulder Well) | – | – | doi:10.2147/JPR.S567154 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 17 | SI14 (Outer Shoulder Point), BL10 (Celestial Pillar), BL42 (Door Of The Corporeal Soul), GB21 (Shoulder Well) | – | – | doi:10.3390/medicina59122141 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 18 | LI11 (Pond At The Bend), BL10 (Celestial Pillar), TB05 (Outer Gate), GB20 (Wind Pool), XB02C3 (Hua Tuo's Para-Vertebral Point - C3), XB02C7 (Hua Tuo's Para-Vertebral Point - C7) | – | – | doi:10.3389/fmed.2025.1701076 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 19 | LI04 (Junction Valley), ST06 (Jaw Bone), ST07 (Below The Arch), ST36 (Leg Three Miles), SP06 (Three Yin Intersection), SI18 (Cheek Bone Hole), SI19 (Palace Of Hearing), BL60 (Kunlun (Mountains)), TB17 (Hurricane), GB14 (Yang Bright), GB20 (Wind Pool), GB34 (Yang Mound Spring), LV03 (Great Surge), GV26 (Philtrum) | – | – | Odinê Maria Rêgo Bechara et al.. Changes in sternocleidomastoid and descending portion of trapezius muscles in terms of electromyography and pressure pain threshold: women with chronic neck pain after acupuncture treatment.. Journal of traditional Chinese medicine = Chung i tsa chih ying wen pan, 2021 | text | Point selection recorded in a clinical text or case report. |
| 20 | LI10 (Arm Three Miles), LI11 (Pond At The Bend), TB05 (Outer Gate), TB08 (Three Yang Connection) | – | – | YANG Xu-guang, LI Ying, TIAN Xiao-ping & LIANG Fan-rong. Comments on Selection of Non-acupoints beyond Meridians in Studies of Acupuncture and Moxibustion. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2010; 30(4): 309-313 | text | Point selection recorded in a clinical text or case report. |
| 21 | SI15 (Middle Shoulder Point) | – | – | doi:10.1186/s13063-017-2009-1 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 22 | GB21 (Shoulder Well) | – | – | doi:10.3389/fmed.2025.1701076 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 23 | SI15 (Middle Shoulder Point) | – | – | 邓红妹. 穴位与非穴位针刺治疗慢性颈痛的临床研究. , [CNKI] | text | Point selection recorded in a clinical text or case report. |

## Point locations

| Point | Name | Meridian | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| SI14 | Outer Shoulder Point | Small Intestine Meridian | 3 thumb widths lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the 1st thoracic vertebra where GV13 is located. |
| SI15 | Middle Shoulder Point | Small Intestine Meridian | 2 thumb widths lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the 7th cervical vertebra (GV14). |
| GB21 | Shoulder Well | Gallbladder Meridian | 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. |
| LI04 | Junction Valley | Large Intestine Meridian | On the dorsum of the hand between 1st & 2nd metacarpal bones approximately in the middle of the 2nd metacarpal bone on the radial side. |
| LI10 | Arm Three Miles | Large Intestine Meridian | On the line joining LI05 and LI11, 2 thumb widths below cubital crease. |
| LI11 | Pond At The Bend | Large Intestine Meridian | When elbow is flexed point is in the depression the at the lateral end of the transverse cubital crease midway between LU05 and lateral epicondyle of the humerus. |
| SI12 | Grasping The Wind | Small Intestine Meridian | In the center of the suprascapular fossa directly above the SI11; when arm is lifted point is at the site of the depression. |
| BL11 | Great Shuttle | Bladder Meridian | 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the GV13 at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 1st thoracic vertebra. |
| BL12 | Wind Gate | Bladder Meridian | 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the du mai at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 2nd thoracic vertebra. |
| TB15 | Heavenly Bone Hole | Triple Burner Meridian | Midway between GB21 and SI13 on the superior angle of the scapula. |
| HT07 | Spirit Gate | Heart Meridian | 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. |
| 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. |
| BL10 | Celestial Pillar | Bladder Meridian | 1.3 thumb widths lateral to the midpoint of the posterior hairline and in the depression on the lateral aspect of the trapezius. |
| BL65 | Restraining Bone | Bladder Meridian | Posterior to the 5th metatarsophalangeal joint at the junction of the red and white skin. |
| 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. |
| TB03 | Central Islet | Triple Burner Meridian | When fist is clenched point is on the dorsum of the hand between 4th and 5th metacarpal bones in the depression the proximal to the 4th metacarpophalangeal joint. |
| GB20 | Wind Pool | Gallbladder Meridian | In the depression the between upper portion of the scm and trapezius on the same level with GV16. |
| 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. |
| GB41 | Foot Governor Of Tears | Gallbladder Meridian | Posterior to the 4th metatarsophalangeal joint in the depression the lateral to the tendon of the extensor digiti minimi of the foot. |
| CV14 | Great Palace Gate | Conception Vessel | On the anterior midline 6 thumb widths above the umbilicus. |
| LI15 | Shoulder And Clavicle | Large Intestine Meridian | Anteroinferior to the acromion on the upper portion of the deltoid muscle; when arm is in the full abduction the point is in the depression the appearing at the anterior border of the acromioclavicular joint. |
| GB12 | Mastoid Process | Gallbladder Meridian | In the depression the posterior and inferior to the mastoid process. |
| GV14 | Great Vertebra | Governing Vessel | Below spinous process of the 7th cervical vertebra approximately at the level of the shoulders. |
| GV15 | Gate Of Muteness | Governing Vessel | 0.5 thumb widths directly above the midpoint of the posterior hairline in the depression the below spinous process of the 1st cervical vertebra. |
| GV16 | Wind Mansion | Governing Vessel | 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. |
| LI16 | Great Bone | Large Intestine Meridian | In the upper aspect of the shoulder in the depression the between acromial extremity of the clavicle and scapular spine. |
| BL42 | Door Of The Corporeal Soul | Bladder Meridian | 3 thumb widths lateral to the du mai at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 3rd thoracic vertebra on the spinal border of the scapula. |
| TB14 | Shoulder Bone Hole | Triple Burner Meridian | On the shoulder posterior to the LI15 in the depression the inferior and posterior to the acromion the when arm is abducted. |
| KD03 | Great Stream | Kidney Meridian | In the depression the between tip of the medial malleolus and achilles tendon. |
| 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. |
| XH03 | Hall Of Impression Or Seal Hall | Extra Points: Head | At the glabella, at the midpoint between the medial extremities of the eyebrows. |
| XH15 | Hundred Taxations | Extra Points: Head | At the back of the neck, 2 thumb widths superior to the dazhui du-14, 1 thumb width lateral to the midline. |
| TB05 | Outer Gate | Triple Burner Meridian | 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. |
| 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. |
| SI11 | Heavenly Gathering | Small Intestine Meridian | On the scapula in the depression of the center of the subscapular fossa and at the level of the 4th thoracic vertebra. |
| BL60 | Kunlun (Mountains) | Bladder Meridian | In the depression the between tip of the external malleolus and achilles tendon. |
| XB02C3 | Hua Tuo's Para-Vertebral Point - C3 | Extra Points: Back | 0.5 - 1 thumb width lateral to the depressions below the spinous processes of the third cervical vertebra. |
| XB02C7 | Hua Tuo's Para-Vertebral Point - C7 | Extra Points: Back | 0.5 - 1 thumb width lateral to the depressions below the spinous processes of the seventh cervical vertebra. |
| ST06 | Jaw Bone | Stomach Meridian | One finger breadth (middle finger) anterior & superior to the lower angle of the mandible where masseter is prominent when teeth are clenched & depressive when it is pressed. |
| ST07 | Below The Arch | Stomach Meridian | On the face anterior to the ear in the depression the between zygomatic arch and mandibular notch; point is located with mouth closed. |
| ST36 | Leg Three Miles | Stomach Meridian | 3 thumb widths below ST35, 1 finger breadth (middle finger) from anterior border of the tibia. |
| SP06 | Three Yin Intersection | Spleen Meridian | 3 thumb widths directly above the tip of the medial malleolus posterior to the medial border of the tibia. |
| SI18 | Cheek Bone Hole | Small Intestine Meridian | Directly below outer canthus in the depression on the lower border of the zygoma. |
| SI19 | Palace Of Hearing | Small Intestine Meridian | Anterior to the tragus and posterior to the condyloid process of the mandible in the depression the formed when mouth is open. |
| TB17 | Hurricane | Triple Burner Meridian | Posterior to the lobule of the ear in the depression the between mandible and mastoid process. |
| GB14 | Yang Bright | Gallbladder Meridian | On the forehead directly above the pupil, 1 thumb width directly above the midpoint of the eyebrow. |
| LV03 | Great Surge | Liver Meridian | On the dorsum of the foot in the depression the distal to the junction of the 1st and 2nd metatarsal bones. |
| GV26 | Philtrum | Governing Vessel | At the junction of the upper ⅓ and middle ⅓ of the philtrum. |
| TB08 | Three Yang Connection | Triple Burner Meridian | 4 thumb widths proximal to the dorsal crease of the wrist between radius and ulna. |

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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