Acupuncture Points for Procedural Pain

44 sourced protocols, each with its citation.

Each card names its evidence kind. What these labels mean

Protocol (3 points)

100%

LI04 · HT07 · PC06

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

HT07Spirit Gate

HT07 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Heart Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 神門 (shén mén)

🎯 Location: 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.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution in cardiac arrhythmias.

🛡️ Treats: Anxiety, Shortness of Breath, Palpitations, Common Cold, Heat

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

Study-reported

Acupressure · 1 session

Did better than sham needling

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1016/j.explore.2023.07.001 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI04, HT07, PC06 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.pmn.2026.03.004 ↗
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3 needles for this course · 1 box, $19.99

Protocol (2 points)

100%

CVC10 · TF10

CVC10Thalamus

CVC10 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Auricular Points

🇨🇳 Chinese: 丘腦 (qiū nǎo)

🎯 Location: At the midpoint of the lower line of the interior Antitragus.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Various Disorders

TF10Shenmen

TF10 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Auricular Points

🇨🇳 Chinese: 神門 (shén mén)

🎯 Location: At the midpoint between Pelvis and Hepatitis.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Pain, Inflammation, Restless Spirit, Emotional And Mental Disorders

Study-reported

Acupressure · 1 session

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1186/s12887-025-06126-1 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. CVC10, TF10 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.3389/fped.2020.615008 ↗
Press Needles
2 needles for this course · 1 box, $19.99

Protocol (3 points)

100%

LI04 · HT07 · XH03

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

HT07Spirit Gate

HT07 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Heart Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 神門 (shén mén)

🎯 Location: 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.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution in cardiac arrhythmias.

🛡️ Treats: Anxiety, Shortness of Breath, Palpitations, Common Cold, Heat

XH03Hall Of Impression Or Seal Hall

XH03 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Extra Points: Head

🇨🇳 Chinese: 印堂 (yìn táng)

🎯 Location: At the glabella, at the midpoint between the medial extremities of the eyebrows.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Anxiety, Dizziness, Wind, Facial Pain, Insomnia

Study-reported

Acupressure · 1 session

Did better than a waitlist

Point selection reported in a published study.

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI04, HT07 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.explore.2023.07.001 ↗
Press Needles
3 needles for this course · 1 box, $19.99

Protocol (3 points)

100%

LI04 · HT07 · PC06

LI04Junction Valley

LI04 acupoint
Click to enlarge

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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

HT07Spirit Gate

HT07 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Heart Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 神門 (shén mén)

🎯 Location: 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.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution in cardiac arrhythmias.

🛡️ Treats: Anxiety, Shortness of Breath, Palpitations, Common Cold, Heat

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

Study-reported

Acupressure · 1 session

Did better than sham needling

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1016/j.pmn.2026.03.004 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI04, HT07, PC06 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.explore.2023.07.001 ↗
Press Needles
3 needles for this course · 1 box, $19.99

Protocol (3 points)

100%

LI04 · LI11 · HT07

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

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

HT07Spirit Gate

HT07 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Heart Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 神門 (shén mén)

🎯 Location: 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.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution in cardiac arrhythmias.

🛡️ Treats: Anxiety, Shortness of Breath, Palpitations, Common Cold, Heat

Study-reported

Acupressure · 1 session

Did better than sham needling

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1016/j.pmn.2026.04.010 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI04, HT07 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.explore.2023.07.001 ↗
Press Needles
3 needles for this course · 1 box, $19.99

Protocol (2 points)

100%

LI04 · PC06

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

PC06Inner Gate

PC06 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ 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

Study-reported

Electrical stimulation on the skin · 1 session

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.2147/JPR.S569374 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI04, PC06 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.explore.2023.07.001 ↗
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 Procedural Pain

How often each point appears across the 44 entries ranked highest for Procedural Pain. Citation frequency, not a recommendation.

  • LI04Junction ValleyLarge Intestine Meridian28 of 44
  • PC06Inner GatePericardium Meridian12 of 44
  • HT07Spirit GateHeart Meridian7 of 44
  • SP06Three Yin IntersectionSpleen Meridian7 of 44
  • ST36Leg Three MilesStomach Meridian6 of 44
  • LI11Pond At The BendLarge Intestine Meridian4 of 44
  • TF10ShenmenAuricular Points4 of 44
  • BL23Kidney Shu PointBladder Meridian3 of 44
  • LV03Great SurgeLiver Meridian3 of 44
  • BL21Stomach Shu PointBladder Meridian2 of 44
  • BL22Sanjiao Shu PointBladder Meridian2 of 44
  • BL52Willpower RoomBladder Meridian2 of 44

Tested, no effect found

These studies tested the points below for Procedural Pain and found no effect. They are not counted above.

LI04 · PC06 – pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov – No better than another treatment

BL60 · KD03 – doi:10.1016/j.explore.2015.07.005 – No better than a waitlist

LI04 · ST36 · PC06 – doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.2018.07.019 – No better than another treatment

Registered, results not reported

These trials registered a protocol for Procedural Pain and have not reported results. They are not counted above.

How the studies delivered it

What the 37 studies behind the entries above ran, counted once per study. A record of the trials, not a recommendation.

  • Acupressure17 of 37
  • Electrical stimulation on the skin8 of 37
  • Needling7 of 37
  • Electroacupuncture3 of 37
  • Laser3 of 37
  • Bloodletting1 of 37
  • Cupping1 of 37

Sessions: the 34 studies that gave a count ran a median of 1 (middle half 1 to 1).

Course: the 35 studies that gave a length ran a median of 1 day (middle half 1 day to 1 day).

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

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