Acupuncture Points for Pulmonary Complication Postoperative

3 sourced protocols, each with its citation.

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Each card names its evidence kind. What these labels mean

Protocol (3 points)

100%

LI04 · ST36 · BL13

Point 1 of 3

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

BL13Lung Shu Point

BL13 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 肺俞 (fèi shū)

🎯 Location: 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the GV12 at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 3rd thoracic vertebra.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep perpendicular needling.

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

Study-reported

Electrical stimulation on the skin · 1 session

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1186/s12906-023-04304-1 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI04, BL13 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.3892/etm.2019.8245 ↗

Protocol (4 points)

100%

LU06 · LU09 · BL13 · CV17

Point 1 of 4

LU06Collection Hole

LU06 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Lung Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 孔最 (kǒng zuì)

🎯 Location: On the palmar aspect of the forearm on the line joining LU09 and LU05 7 thumb widths above the transverse crease of the wrist.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution in cases of local inflammation or skin conditions.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Chest Pain, Asthma, Coughing Blood, Heat

LU09Great Source

LU09 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Lung Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 太淵 (tài yuān)

🎯 Location: At the radial end of the transverse crease of the wrist in the depression on the lateral side of the radial artery.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution in patients with cardiac arrhythmias; avoid excessive stimulation.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Shortness of Breath, Asthma, Coughing Blood, Common Cold

BL13Lung Shu Point

BL13 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 肺俞 (fèi shū)

🎯 Location: 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the GV12 at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 3rd thoracic vertebra.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep perpendicular needling.

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

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

Press needles · a 2-day course

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1080/07853890.2025.2560684 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. BL13 also appears in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1186/s12906-023-04304-1 ↗
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Protocol (3 points)

100%

LU05 · LI04 · BL13

Point 1 of 3

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

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

BL13Lung Shu Point

BL13 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 肺俞 (fèi shū)

🎯 Location: 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the GV12 at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 3rd thoracic vertebra.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep perpendicular needling.

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

Study-reported

Electrical stimulation on the skin

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.3892/etm.2019.8245 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI04, BL13 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1186/s12906-023-04304-1 ↗
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Points cited for Pulmonary Complication Postoperative

How often each point appears across the 3 entries ranked highest for Pulmonary Complication Postoperative. Citation frequency, not a recommendation.

  • BL13Lung Shu PointBladder Meridian3 of 3
  • LI04Junction ValleyLarge Intestine Meridian2 of 3
  • CV17Chest CentreConception Vessel1 of 3
  • LU05Cubit MarshLung Meridian1 of 3
  • LU06Collection HoleLung Meridian1 of 3
  • LU09Great SourceLung Meridian1 of 3
  • ST36Leg Three MilesStomach Meridian1 of 3

How the studies delivered it

What the 3 studies behind the entries above ran, counted once per study. A record of the trials, not a recommendation.

  • Electrical stimulation on the skin2 of 3
  • Press needles1 of 3

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

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