Acupuncture Points for Postoperative Ileus

7 sourced protocols, each with its citation.

AcuiQ posts on X about the papers it indexes. Follow @acu_iq

Points cited for Postoperative Ileus

How often each point appears across the 7 entries ranked highest for Postoperative Ileus. Citation frequency, not a recommendation.

  • ST36Leg Three MilesStomach Meridian6 of 7
  • LI04Junction ValleyLarge Intestine Meridian3 of 7
  • PC06Inner GatePericardium Meridian3 of 7
  • SP06Three Yin IntersectionSpleen Meridian2 of 7
  • ST25Celestial PivotStomach Meridian2 of 7
  • CV08Spirit Palace GateConception Vessel1 of 7
  • CV16Central CourtConception Vessel1 of 7
  • GV20100 ConvergencesGoverning Vessel1 of 7
  • LV03Great SurgeLiver Meridian1 of 7
  • SP09Yin Mound SpringSpleen Meridian1 of 7
  • ST37Upper Great HollowStomach Meridian1 of 7
  • ST39Lower Great HollowStomach Meridian1 of 7

Each card names its evidence kind. What these labels mean

Protocol (6 points)

100%

LI04 · ST25 · ST36 · SP06 · SP09 · PC06

Point 1 of 6

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

Study-reported

Needling + Electroacupuncture

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1245/s10434-012-2759-7 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. ST25, ST36, PC06 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1155/2021/5594263 ↗

Protocol (4 points)

100%

ST25 · ST36 · PC06 · GV20

Point 1 of 4

ST25Celestial Pivot

ST25 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Stomach Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 天樞 (tiān shū)

🎯 Location: 2 thumb widths lateral to the center of the umbilicus.

⚠️ Cautions: Acute appendicitis is a surgical emergency – treatment here is adjunctive at most and must never delay surgical assessment. Avoid needling over the gravid uterus after the first trimester; where used in pregnancy, needle shallowly and only on a clear obstetric indication.

🛡️ Treats: Poor Appetite, Diarrhea, Constipation, Vomiting, Abdominal Bloating

Study-reported

Electrical stimulation on the skin

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1155/2021/5594263 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. ST25, ST36, PC06 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1245/s10434-012-2759-7 ↗

Protocol (2 points)

100%

ST36 · PC06

Point 1 of 2

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

Study-reported

Electrical stimulation on the skin · 4 sessions over 4 days

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.2147/JMDH.S391852 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. ST36, PC06 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1245/s10434-012-2759-7 ↗

Protocol (3 points)

100%

LI04 · ST36 · SP06

Point 1 of 3

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

Study-reported

Needling + Electroacupuncture

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1245/s10434-025-17239-3 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI04, ST36, SP06 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1245/s10434-012-2759-7 ↗

Protocol (5 points)

100%

LI04 · ST36 · ST37 · ST39 · LV03

Point 1 of 5

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

Study-reported

Needling + Acupressure

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.3389/fsurg.2024.1349975 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI04, ST36 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1245/s10434-012-2759-7 ↗

Protocol (2 points)

90%

CV08 · CV16

Point 1 of 2

CV08Spirit Palace Gate

CV08 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ 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

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.
Hot Spots™ Press Needles
Sterile 1.5mm press needles on 3M backing tape · 100 per box
$19.99
per box · choose the quantity at checkout
AcuiQ Self-Treatment Guide
Acupressure you can do at home, every protocol traced to a trial. – $12.99, free updates for life

How the studies delivered it

What the 6 studies behind the entries above ran, counted once per study. A record of the trials, not a recommendation.

  • Needling3 of 6
  • Electroacupuncture2 of 6
  • Electrical stimulation on the skin2 of 6
  • Acupressure2 of 6

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

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