Acupuncture Points for Postoperative Complications

6 sourced protocols, each with its citation.

Each card names its evidence kind. What these labels mean

Protocol (3 points)

100%

LU01 · LU05 · PC04

LU01Central Mansion

LU01 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Lung Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 中府 (zhōng fǔ)

🎯 Location: Laterosuperior to the sternum 1 thumb width below LU02 at the level of the 1st intercostal space 6 thumb widths lateral to the anterior midline.

⚠️ Cautions: Needle obliquely or laterally, never deeply or medially – risk of pneumothorax.

🛡️ Treats: Heat Chest, Cough, Chest Pain, Fever, Shortness of Breath

LU05Cubit Marsh

LU05 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Lung Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 尺澤 (chǐ zé)

🎯 Location: On the cubital crease in the depression of the radial side of the biceps brachii tendon; point is located with elbow slightly flexed.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid in cases of severe vascular disease; caution with depth at cubital fossa.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Diarrhea, Shortness of Breath, Asthma, Knee Pain

PC04Cleft Gate

PC04 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Pericardium Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 郄門 (xì mén)

🎯 Location: 5 thumb widths above the transverse crease of the wrist on the line connecting PC03 and PC07 between tendons of the palmaris longus and flexor carpi radialis.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Chest Pain, Anxiety, Coughing Blood, Vomiting, Blood Stagnation

Study-reported

Electroacupuncture · 1 session

Did better than usual care

Point selection reported in a published study.

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ↗
Not corroborated. No other study in the index uses any of these points for this search.

Protocol (4 points)

100%

LI04 · ST36 · PC06 · CV17

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

PC06Inner Gate

PC06 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Pericardium Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 內關 (nèi guān)

🎯 Location: 2 thumb widths above the transverse crease of the wrist between tendons of the palmaris longus and flexor carpi radialis.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution in severe deficiency conditions.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Diarrhea, Anxiety, Dizziness, Spleen Qi Deficiency

CV17Chest Centre

CV17 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Conception Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 膻中 (dàn zhōng)

🎯 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.

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

Study-reported

Acupressure + Herbal plaster on points

Did better than usual care

Point selection reported in a published study.

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ↗
Not corroborated. No other study in the index uses any of these points for this search.
Press Needles
1 box, $19.99

Protocol (2 points)

90%

ST36 · LV03

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

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

Text or case report

Point selection recorded in a clinical text or case report.

Hou LL, Chen CP, Xu L, Yin PH, Peng W. Electrical stimulation of acupoint combinations against deep venous thrombosis in elderly bedridden patients after major surgery. J Tradit Chin Med 2013; 33(2): 187-193
Substantiated by a study. ST36 also appears in a study-reported protocol for the same search. That study did not test this prescription. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ↗

Protocol (2 points)

90%

SP06 · SP09

SP06Three Yin Intersection

SP06 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Spleen Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 三陰交 (sān yīn jiāo)

🎯 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.

🛡️ Treats: Diarrhea, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Palpitations, Abdominal Bloating

SP09Yin Mound Spring

SP09 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Spleen Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 陰陵泉 (yīn líng quán)

🎯 Location: On the lower border of the medial condyle of the tibia in the depression the posterior and inferior to the medial condyle of the tibia.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid in cases of knee inflammation.

🛡️ Treats: Heat Chest, Fever, Diarrhea, Shortness of Breath, Jaundice

Text or case report

Point selection recorded in a clinical text or case report.

Hou LL, Chen CP, Xu L, Yin PH, Peng W. Electrical stimulation of acupoint combinations against deep venous thrombosis in elderly bedridden patients after major surgery. J Tradit Chin Med 2013; 33(2): 187-193
Not substantiated. Studies in the index cover this search, and none of their protocols use any of these points.

Protocol (4 points)

90%

ST36 · SP06 · SP09 · LV03

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

SP06Three Yin Intersection

SP06 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Spleen Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 三陰交 (sān yīn jiāo)

🎯 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.

🛡️ Treats: Diarrhea, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Palpitations, Abdominal Bloating

SP09Yin Mound Spring

SP09 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Spleen Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 陰陵泉 (yīn líng quán)

🎯 Location: On the lower border of the medial condyle of the tibia in the depression the posterior and inferior to the medial condyle of the tibia.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid in cases of knee inflammation.

🛡️ Treats: Heat Chest, Fever, Diarrhea, Shortness of Breath, Jaundice

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

Text or case report

Point selection recorded in a clinical text or case report.

Hou LL, Chen CP, Xu L, Yin PH, Peng W. Electrical stimulation of acupoint combinations against deep venous thrombosis in elderly bedridden patients after major surgery. J Tradit Chin Med 2013; 33(2): 187-193
Substantiated by a study. ST36 also appears in a study-reported protocol for the same search. That study did not test this prescription. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ↗

Protocol (2 points)

90%

CV08 · CV16

CV08Spirit Palace Gate

CV08 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Conception Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 神闕 (shén què)

🎯 Location: In the center of the umbilicus.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications; often use moxa only.

🛡️ Treats: Abdominal Bloating, Rectal Prolapse, Edema, Cold Blood, Loss of Consciousness

CV16Central Court

CV16 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Conception Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 中庭 (zhōng tíng)

🎯 Location: On the anterior midline at the level with 5th intercostal space on the xiphoid process.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep needling; risk of pneumothorax.

🛡️ Treats: Common Cold, Chest Fullness, Benefit Digestion, Pain Around Navel, Costal Lateral Fullness

Text or case report

Needling

Point selection recorded in a clinical text or case report.

Abdominal Acupuncture for Gastrointestinal Function Recovery After Gynecologic Laparoscopic Surgery. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT07293026
Not substantiated. Studies in the index cover this search, and none of their protocols use any of these points.
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AcuiQ Self-Treatment Guide
Acupressure you can do at home, every protocol traced to a trial. – $12.99, free updates for life

Points cited for Postoperative Complications

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

  • ST36Leg Three MilesStomach Meridian3 of 6
  • LV03Great SurgeLiver Meridian2 of 6
  • SP06Three Yin IntersectionSpleen Meridian2 of 6
  • SP09Yin Mound SpringSpleen Meridian2 of 6
  • CV08Spirit Palace GateConception Vessel1 of 6
  • CV16Central CourtConception Vessel1 of 6
  • CV17Chest CentreConception Vessel1 of 6
  • LI04Junction ValleyLarge Intestine Meridian1 of 6
  • LU01Central MansionLung Meridian1 of 6
  • LU05Cubit MarshLung Meridian1 of 6
  • PC04Cleft GatePericardium Meridian1 of 6
  • PC06Inner GatePericardium Meridian1 of 6

How the studies delivered it

What the 2 studies behind the entries above ran, counted once per study. A record of the trials, not a recommendation.

  • Electroacupuncture1 of 2
  • Acupressure1 of 2
  • Herbal plaster on points1 of 2

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

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