Acupuncture Points for Neck Stiffness

3 sourced protocols, each with its citation.

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Related symptoms

Often treated alongside Neck Stiffness:

Points cited for Neck Stiffness

How often each point appears across the 6 entries ranked highest for Neck Stiffness. Citation frequency, not a recommendation.

  • GB20Wind PoolGallbladder Meridian3 of 6
  • SI03Back StreamSmall Intestine Meridian3 of 6
  • BL10Celestial PillarBladder Meridian2 of 6
  • CV12Stomach CentreConception Vessel2 of 6
  • GB34Yang Mound SpringGallbladder Meridian2 of 6
  • GV20100 ConvergencesGoverning Vessel2 of 6
  • LV03Great SurgeLiver Meridian2 of 6
  • ST36Leg Three MilesStomach Meridian2 of 6
  • ST40Abundant BulgeStomach Meridian2 of 6
  • TB05Outer GateTriple Burner Meridian2 of 6
  • BL02Gathered BambooBladder Meridian1 of 6
  • BL18Liver Shu PointBladder Meridian1 of 6

Each card names its evidence kind. What these labels mean

Protocol (24 points)

100%

LI04 · ST25 · ST28 · ST36 · ST40 · SP09 · SI03 · BL10 · TB05 · TB17 · GB04 · GB08 · GB15 · GB18 · GB20 · GB34 · GB41 · GB43 · LV03 · CV04 · CV06 · CV12 · GV20 · GV24

Point 1 of 24

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

Study-reported

Needling + Electroacupuncture · 48 sessions over 24 weeks

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e30417 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. SI03, GB20 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.19917/j.cnki.1005-0779.025094 ↗

Protocol (17 points)

90%

LI11 · LI15 · ST36 · ST40 · SI11 · BL18 · BL20 · BL23 · KD03 · PC06 · TB05 · GB20 · GB34 · LV03 · CV12 · GV14 · GV20

Point 1 of 17

LI11Pond At The Bend

LI11 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Large Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 曲池 (qū chí)

🎯 Location: 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.

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

🛡️ Treats: Diarrhea, Dizziness, Heat, Vomiting, Abdominal Bloating

Text or case report

Point selection recorded in a clinical text or case report.

LUO Ben-hua & HAN Jing-xian. Cervical Spondylosis Treated by Acupuncture at Ligou (LR 5) Combined with Movement Therapy. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2010, 30(2): 113-116
Substantiated by a study. ST36, ST40, TB05, GB20, GB34, LV03, CV12, GV20 also appear in a study-reported protocol for the same search. That study did not test this prescription. doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e30417 ↗

Protocol (4 points)

83%

SI03 · GB20 · GB21 · GB39

Point 1 of 4

SI03Back Stream

SI03 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Small Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 後谿 (hòu xī)

🎯 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.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Knee Pain, Tinnitus, Jaundice, Common Cold

Study-reported

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.19917/j.cnki.1005-0779.025094 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. SI03, GB20 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.heliyon.2024.e30417 ↗

Protocol (5 points)

83%

BL02 · BL10 · BL58 · BL60 · GB12

Point 1 of 5

BL02Gathered Bamboo

BL02 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 攢竹 (zǎn zhú)

🎯 Location: On the medial extremity of the eyebrow or on the supraorbital notch.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution with supraorbital nerve.

🛡️ Treats: Dizziness, Wind, Redness, Swelling, Pain

Study-reported

Needling · 3 sessions

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20240429-0003 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. BL10 also appears in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e30417 ↗

Single-point entry

100%

SI03Back Stream

SI03 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Small Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 後谿 (hòu xī)

🎯 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.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Knee Pain, Tinnitus, Jaundice, Common Cold

Study-reported

Needling · 3 sessions over 5 days

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20231206-k0007 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. SI03 also appears in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e30417 ↗

Single-point entry

90%

LV05Woodworm Channel

LV05 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Liver Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 蠡溝 (lǐ gōu)

🎯 Location: 5 thumb widths above the tip of the medial malleolus on the midline of the medial surface of the tibia.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Anxiety, Palpitations, Common Cold, Depression, Swelling

Text or case report

Point selection recorded in a clinical text or case report.

LUO Ben-hua & HAN Jing-xian. Cervical Spondylosis Treated by Acupuncture at Ligou (LR 5) Combined with Movement Therapy. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2010, 30(2): 113-116
Not substantiated. Studies in the index cover this search, and none of their protocols use any of these points.
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How the studies delivered it

What the 4 studies behind the entries above ran, counted once per study. A record of the trials, not a recommendation.

  • Needling3 of 4
  • Electroacupuncture1 of 4

Sessions: the 3 studies that gave a count ran a median of 3 (middle half 3 to 26).

After a treatment: what large safety surveys recorded, and which reactions need a doctor.

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