# Acupoints for Postoperative Pain

103 sourced protocols for Postoperative Pain. Canonical page: https://acuiq.com/symptoms/postoperative-pain

## Protocols

| # | Points | Dosage | Frequency | Source | Kind | Caveat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | LI04 (Junction Valley), ST25 (Celestial Pivot), ST36 (Leg Three Miles), SP06 (Three Yin Intersection), SP09 (Yin Mound Spring), PC06 (Inner Gate) | – | – | doi:10.1245/s10434-012-2759-7 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 2 | LI04 (Junction Valley), ST36 (Leg Three Miles), PC06 (Inner Gate) | – | – | doi:10.1093/bja/aeu001 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 3 | ST36 (Leg Three Miles), GB34 (Yang Mound Spring) | – | – | doi:10.1136/acupmed-2014-010722 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 4 | LI04 (Junction Valley), ST36 (Leg Three Miles), SP06 (Three Yin Intersection), PC06 (Inner Gate) | – | – | doi:10.1155/2015/324360 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 5 | LU05 (Cubit Marsh), TB05 (Outer Gate), GB34 (Yang Mound Spring), LV03 (Great Surge) | – | – | doi:10.1155/2016/2126416 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 6 | LI04 (Junction Valley), LI11 (Pond At The Bend), ST36 (Leg Three Miles) | – | – | doi:10.1016/j.jams.2016.03.009 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 7 | PC04 (Cleft Gate), PC06 (Inner Gate), GV20 (100 Convergences), GV24 (Spirit Court) | – | – | doi:10.1155/2017/6243630 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 8 | LI04 (Junction Valley), ST36 (Leg Three Miles), SP06 (Three Yin Intersection), PC06 (Inner Gate), GB34 (Yang Mound Spring), LV03 (Great Surge) | – | – | doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2016-015286 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 9 | LI04 (Junction Valley), TB05 (Outer Gate) | – | – | doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000010969 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 10 | LI04 (Junction Valley), ST36 (Leg Three Miles), HT07 (Spirit Gate), PC06 (Inner Gate), LV03 (Great Surge), CV17 (Chest Centre), GV26 (Philtrum) | – | – | doi:10.1038/s41598-018-33459-y | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 11 | ST36 (Leg Three Miles), PC06 (Inner Gate), GV20 (100 Convergences) | – | – | doi:10.1186/s13063-019-3892-4 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 12 | LI04 (Junction Valley), SI03 (Back Stream), PC06 (Inner Gate), TB06 (Branch Ditch) | – | – | doi:10.1111/1759-7714.13343 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 13 | LI04 (Junction Valley), ST36 (Leg Three Miles), ST37 (Upper Great Hollow), BL21 (Stomach Shu Point), BL27 (Small Intestine Shu Point), PC06 (Inner Gate) | – | – | doi:10.2147/CMAR.S292325 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 14 | LI04 (Junction Valley), SP09 (Yin Mound Spring), BL23 (Kidney Shu Point), PC06 (Inner Gate) | – | – | doi:10.1155/2021/5909956 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 15 | HT07 (Spirit Gate), PC06 (Inner Gate) | – | – | doi:10.3390/ijerph19031869 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 16 | ST36 (Leg Three Miles), PC06 (Inner Gate) | – | – | doi:10.2147/JPR.S365587 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 17 | ST36 (Leg Three Miles), PC06 (Inner Gate) | – | – | doi:10.2147/JMDH.S391852 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 18 | LI04 (Junction Valley), ST36 (Leg Three Miles), SP06 (Three Yin Intersection), PC06 (Inner Gate) | – | – | doi:10.2147/JPR.S399249 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 19 | ST36 (Leg Three Miles), SP06 (Three Yin Intersection), BL17 (Diaphragm Shu Point), BL23 (Kidney Shu Point), BL25 (Large Intestine Shu Point) | – | – | doi:10.13702/j.1000-0607.20210959 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 20 | ST36 (Leg Three Miles), SP06 (Three Yin Intersection) | – | – | doi:10.1016/j.ajogmf.2022.100826 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 21 | LI04 (Junction Valley), PC06 (Inner Gate) | – | – | doi:10.1155/2024/5365456 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 22 | LI04 (Junction Valley), ST05 (Great Reception) | – | – | doi:10.19852/j.cnki.jtcm.2025.01.018 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 23 | LI04 (Junction Valley), PC06 (Inner Gate) | – | – | doi:10.2147/JPR.S529193 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 24 | LI04 (Junction Valley), ST36 (Leg Three Miles), SP06 (Three Yin Intersection), PC06 (Inner Gate) | – | – | doi:10.2147/TCRM.S507856 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 25 | LU06 (Collection Hole), LU09 (Great Source), BL13 (Lung Shu Point), CV17 (Chest Centre) | – | – | doi:10.1080/07853890.2025.2560684 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 26 | LI04 (Junction Valley), ST36 (Leg Three Miles), PC06 (Inner Gate) | – | – | doi:10.1186/s12871-025-03400-8 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 27 | LU05 (Cubit Marsh), LI10 (Arm Three Miles), LI11 (Pond At The Bend), SP06 (Three Yin Intersection), SI03 (Back Stream), BL60 (Kunlun (Mountains)), BL62 (Extending Vessel), KD03 (Great Stream), LV03 (Great Surge) | – | – | doi:10.13702/j.1000-0607.20250678 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 28 | PC06 (Inner Gate), TB05 (Outer Gate) | – | – | doi:10.13702/j.1000-0607.20250701 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 29 | LU05 (Cubit Marsh), LI01 (Metal Yang), PC03 (Marsh At The Bend), PC06 (Inner Gate), GB21 (Shoulder Well) | – | – | doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000033939 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 30 | LI04 (Junction Valley), HT07 (Spirit Gate) | – | – | doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000033939 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 31 | ST25 (Celestial Pivot), CV10 (Lower Stomach), CV12 (Stomach Centre) | – | – | doi:10.12998/wjcc.v12.i21.4527 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 32 | LI04 (Junction Valley), ST25 (Celestial Pivot), SP06 (Three Yin Intersection), HT07 (Spirit Gate), CV12 (Stomach Centre) | – | – | doi:10.1007/s11695-025-07768-x | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 33 | 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. |
| 34 | LI04 (Junction Valley), CV17 (Chest Centre) | – | – | doi:10.4103/2468-5658.179743 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 35 | CV14 (Great Palace Gate), CV17 (Chest Centre) | – | – | doi:10.4103/2468-5658.179743 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 36 | LI04 (Junction Valley), ST36 (Leg Three Miles), PC06 (Inner Gate) | – | – | doi:10.3892/etm.2021.9615 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 37 | ST36 (Leg Three Miles), ST37 (Upper Great Hollow), SP06 (Three Yin Intersection), PC06 (Inner Gate) | – | – | doi:10.3389/fonc.2023.1206196 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 38 | LI04 (Junction Valley), LV03 (Great Surge) | – | – | doi:10.13359/j.cnki.gzxbtcm.2025.10.021 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 39 | BL40 (Middle Of The Crease), BL57 (Mountain Support) | – | – | doi:10.27320/d.cnki.gszyu.2019.000251 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 40 | LI04 (Junction Valley), HT07 (Spirit Gate), PC06 (Inner Gate), LV03 (Great Surge) | – | – | doi:10.1016/j.xjon.2023.05.010 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 41 | LI04 (Junction Valley), HT07 (Spirit Gate), PC06 (Inner Gate), TB05 (Outer Gate) | – | – | doi:10.3389/fmed.2025.1565359 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 42 | LI04 (Junction Valley), ST36 (Leg Three Miles) | – | – | doi:10.13702/j.1000-0607.20250605 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 43 | LI04 (Junction Valley), HT07 (Spirit Gate), PC06 (Inner Gate) | – | – | doi:10.2147/JPR.S619125 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 44 | LI04 (Junction Valley), ST06 (Jaw Bone), ST07 (Below The Arch), TB17 (Hurricane) | – | – | doi:10.1002/sim.4003 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 45 | LI04 (Junction Valley), ST36 (Leg Three Miles), SP06 (Three Yin Intersection), SI03 (Back Stream), KD03 (Great Stream), GB34 (Yang Mound Spring), XU07A (Waist Pain Points), XU07B (Waist Pain Points) | – | – | doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20250105-k0001 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 46 | BL23 (Kidney Shu Point), CV04 (Original Qi Gate) | – | – | doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20230422-k0001 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 47 | LI04 (Junction Valley), ST36 (Leg Three Miles), SP09 (Yin Mound Spring), KD03 (Great Stream), GB34 (Yang Mound Spring), LV03 (Great Surge) | – | – | doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20230418-0003 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 48 | ST36 (Leg Three Miles), PC06 (Inner Gate) | – | – | doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20231123-0001 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 49 | ST36 (Leg Three Miles), PC06 (Inner Gate), CV17 (Chest Centre) | – | – | doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20240206-k0002 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 50 | LI04 (Junction Valley), PC06 (Inner Gate) | – | – | doi:10.2147/JPR.S529193 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |

## Point locations

| Point | Name | Meridian | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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. |
| ST25 | Celestial Pivot | Stomach Meridian | 2 thumb widths lateral to the center of the umbilicus. |
| 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. |
| SP09 | Yin Mound Spring | Spleen Meridian | 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. |
| 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. |
| GB34 | Yang Mound Spring | Gallbladder Meridian | In the depression the anterior and inferior to the head of the fibula. |
| LU05 | Cubit Marsh | Lung Meridian | On the cubital crease in the depression of the radial side of the biceps brachii tendon; point is located with elbow slightly flexed. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| PC04 | Cleft Gate | Pericardium Meridian | 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. |
| 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. |
| GV24 | Spirit Court | Governing Vessel | 0.5 thumb widths directly above the midpoint of the anterior hairline. |
| 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. |
| CV17 | Chest Centre | Conception Vessel | On the anterior midline at the level with 4th intercostal space, midway between nipples. |
| GV26 | Philtrum | Governing Vessel | At the junction of the upper ⅓ and middle ⅓ of the philtrum. |
| 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. |
| TB06 | Branch Ditch | Triple Burner Meridian | 3 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 on the radial side of the extensor digitorum. |
| ST37 | Upper Great Hollow | Stomach Meridian | 6 thumb widths below ST35, 1 finger breadth (middle finger) from anterior border of the tibia. |
| BL21 | Stomach Shu Point | Bladder Meridian | 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the du mai at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 12th thoracic vertebra. |
| BL27 | Small Intestine Shu Point | Bladder Meridian | 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the du mai at the level of the 1st posterior sacral foramen. |
| BL23 | Kidney Shu Point | Bladder Meridian | 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the GV04 at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 2nd lumbar vertebra. |
| BL17 | Diaphragm Shu Point | Bladder Meridian | 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the GV09 at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 7th thoracic vertebra. |
| BL25 | Large Intestine Shu Point | Bladder Meridian | 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the GV03 at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 4th lumbar vertebra. |
| ST05 | Great Reception | Stomach Meridian | Anterior to the angle of the mandible on the anterior border of the attached portion of the masseter where pulsation of the facial artery is palpable in the groovelike depression the appearing when cheek is bulged. |
| LU06 | Collection Hole | Lung Meridian | On the palmar aspect of the forearm on the line joining LU09 and LU05 7 thumb widths above the transverse crease of the wrist. |
| LU09 | Great Source | Lung Meridian | At the radial end of the transverse crease of the wrist in the depression on the lateral side of the radial artery. |
| BL13 | Lung Shu Point | Bladder Meridian | 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the GV12 at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 3rd thoracic vertebra. |
| LI10 | Arm Three Miles | Large Intestine Meridian | On the line joining LI05 and LI11, 2 thumb widths below cubital crease. |
| BL60 | Kunlun (Mountains) | Bladder Meridian | In the depression the between tip of the external malleolus and achilles tendon. |
| BL62 | Extending Vessel | Bladder Meridian | In the depression the directly below external malleolus. |
| KD03 | Great Stream | Kidney Meridian | In the depression the between tip of the medial malleolus and achilles tendon. |
| LI01 | Metal Yang | Large Intestine Meridian | On the radial side of the index finger about 0.1 thumb width posterior to the corner of the nail. |
| PC03 | Marsh At The Bend | Pericardium Meridian | On the transverse cubital crease at the ulnar side of the tendon of the biceps brachii. |
| 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. |
| CV10 | Lower Stomach | Conception Vessel | On the anterior midline 2 thumb widths above the umbilicus. |
| CV12 | Stomach Centre | Conception Vessel | On the anterior midline 4 thumb widths above the umbilicus. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| GB20 | Wind Pool | Gallbladder Meridian | In the depression the between upper portion of the scm and trapezius on the same level with GV16. |
| 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. |
| CV14 | Great Palace Gate | Conception Vessel | On the anterior midline 6 thumb widths above the umbilicus. |
| BL40 | Middle Of The Crease | Bladder Meridian | Midpoint of the transverse crease of the popliteal fossa between tendons of the biceps femoris and semitendinosus. |
| BL57 | Mountain Support | Bladder Meridian | On the posterior midline of the leg between BL40 and BL60 in the pointed depression the formed below gastrocnemius belly when leg is stretched or heel is lifted. |
| 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. |
| TB17 | Hurricane | Triple Burner Meridian | Posterior to the lobule of the ear in the depression the between mandible and mastoid process. |
| XU07A | Waist Pain Points | Extra Points: Upper limbs | Two points between the second & third & the fourth & fifth metacarpal bones, in the depressions lying immediately distal to the bases of the metacarpals. |
| XU07B | Waist Pain Points | Extra Points: Upper limbs | Two points between the second & third & the fourth & fifth metacarpal bones, in the depressions lying immediately distal to the bases of the metacarpals. |
| CV04 | Original Qi Gate | Conception Vessel | On the anterior midline 3 thumb widths below umbilicus. |

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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