Acupuncture Points for Qi Stagnation

33 sourced protocols, each with its citation.

Each card names its evidence kind. What these labels mean

Protocol (10 points)

100%

ST24 · ST25 · ST27 · SP05 · SP06 · SP09 · SP15 · CV04 · GV20 · GV24

ST24Slippery Flesh Gate

ST24 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Stomach Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 滑肉門 (huá ròu mén)

🎯 Location: 1 thumb width above the umbilicus 2 thumb widths lateral to the CV09.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution in pregnancy.

🛡️ Treats: Phlegm, Depression, Vomiting, Upper Stomach Pain, Vomiting Blood

ST25Celestial Pivot

ST25 acupoint
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🗺️ 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

ST27Great Bulge

ST27 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Stomach Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 大巨 (dà jù)

🎯 Location: 2 thumb widths below umbilicus 2 thumb widths lateral to the CV05.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution in pregnancy.

🛡️ Treats: Palpitations, Insomnia, Urinary Retention, Agitation, Fullness

SP05Metal Hill

SP05 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Spleen Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 商丘 (shāng qiū)

🎯 Location: In the depression the distal and inferior to the medial malleolus midway between tuberosity of the navicular bone and tip of the medial malleolus.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Fever, Jaundice, Common Cold, Constipation

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

SP15Great Horizontal

SP15 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Spleen Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 大橫 (dà héng)

🎯 Location: 4 thumb widths lateral to the center of the umbilicus lateral to the rectus abdominis.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution in pregnancy.

🛡️ Treats: Diarrhea, Common Cold, Constipation, Qi Stagnation, Damp

CV04Original Qi Gate

CV04 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Conception Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 關元 (guān yuán)

🎯 Location: On the anterior midline 3 thumb widths below umbilicus.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid needling over the gravid uterus after the first trimester; where used in pregnancy, needle shallowly and only on a clear obstetric indication. Bleeding in pregnancy requires obstetric assessment.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Diarrhea, Anxiety, Shortness of Breath, Kidney Deficiency

GV20100 Convergences

GV20 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Governing Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 百會 (bǎi huì)

🎯 Location: 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.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Chest Pain, Palpitations, Jaundice, Qi Deficiency

GV24Spirit Court

GV24 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Governing Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 神庭 (shén tíng)

🎯 Location: 0.5 thumb widths directly above the midpoint of the anterior hairline.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Shortness of Breath, Dizziness, Palpitations, Depression

Study-reported

Needling · 8 sessions over 4 weeks

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000036572 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. SP06, CV04 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.3389/fendo.2026.1728199 ↗
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80 needles for this course · 1 box, $19.99

Protocol (2 points)

100%

SP06 · CV08

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

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

Study-reported

Herbal plaster on points · a 4-week course

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.3389/fpain.2025.1637449 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. SP06, CV08 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.3389/fendo.2026.1728199 ↗

Protocol (4 points)

100%

SP06 · SP10 · CV04 · CV08

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

SP10Sea Of Blood

SP10 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Spleen Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 血海 (xuè hǎi)

🎯 Location: When knee is flexed point is 2 thumb widths above the mediosuperior border of the patella on the bulge of the medial portion of the quadriceps femoris.

⚠️ Cautions: Anticoagulant therapy or a coagulopathy raises the risk of haematoma at the needling site – apply prolonged pressure on withdrawal. The precaution governs technique; bleeding disorders remain a treatable indication.

🛡️ Treats: Knee Pain, Absent Periods, Blood Stagnation, Pain, Hives

CV04Original Qi Gate

CV04 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Conception Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 關元 (guān yuán)

🎯 Location: On the anterior midline 3 thumb widths below umbilicus.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid needling over the gravid uterus after the first trimester; where used in pregnancy, needle shallowly and only on a clear obstetric indication. Bleeding in pregnancy requires obstetric assessment.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Diarrhea, Anxiety, Shortness of Breath, Kidney Deficiency

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

Study-reported

Herbal plaster on points

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.3389/fendo.2026.1728199 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. SP06, CV04 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000036572 ↗

Protocol (4 points)

100%

HT07 · KD01 · PC06 · GV20

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

KD01Bubbling Spring

KD01 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Kidney Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 湧泉 (yǒng quán)

🎯 Location: On the sole in the depression the when foot is in the plantar flexion the approximately at the junction of the anterior 1/3 and posterior 2/3 of the line connecting base of the 2nd and 3rd toes and heel.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid in patients with severe deficiency conditions.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Anxiety, Shortness of Breath, Dizziness, Coughing Blood

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

GV20100 Convergences

GV20 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Governing Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 百會 (bǎi huì)

🎯 Location: 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.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Chest Pain, Palpitations, Jaundice, Qi Deficiency

Study-reported

Acupressure

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1177/2164956119870444 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. GV20 also appears in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000036572 ↗
Press Needles
1 box, $19.99

Protocol (9 points)

100%

SI14 · GB20 · GB21 · GV14 · XB02C4 · XB02C5 · XB02C6 · XB02C7 · XH15

SI14Outer Shoulder Point

SI14 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Small Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 肩外俞 (jiān wài shū)

🎯 Location: 3 thumb widths lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the 1st thoracic vertebra where GV13 is located.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep perpendicular needling; risk of pneumothorax.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Wind, Shoulder Blade Pain, Shoulder Pain, Pain

GB20Wind Pool

GB20 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Gallbladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 風池 (fēng chí)

🎯 Location: In the depression the between upper portion of the scm and trapezius on the same level with GV16.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution with vertebral artery; avoid deep perpendicular needling.

🛡️ Treats: Stress, Fever, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Wind

GB21Shoulder Well

GB21 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Gallbladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 肩井 (jiān jǐng)

🎯 Location: 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.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep needling – risk of pneumothorax. 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: Cough, Shortness of Breath, Phlegm, Kidney Deficiency, Depression

GV14Great Vertebra

GV14 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Governing Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 大椎 (dà zhuī)

🎯 Location: Below spinous process of the 7th cervical vertebra approximately at the level of the shoulders.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution with C7 vertebra.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Shortness of Breath, Weakness, Heat, Chest Fullness

XB02C4Hua Tuo's Para-Vertebral Point - C4

XB02C4 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Extra Points: Back

🇨🇳 Chinese: 華佗夾脊 (huà tuó jiā jǐ)

🎯 Location: 0.5 - 1 thumb width lateral to the depressions below the spinous processes of the fourth cervical vertebra.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution near spinal cord; avoid deep perpendicular needling.

🛡️ Treats: Qi Stagnation, Circulation Blood, Neck Disorder, Regulate Six Fu, Regulate Five Zang

XB02C5Hua Tuo's Para-Vertebral Point - C5

XB02C5 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Extra Points: Back

🇨🇳 Chinese: 華佗夾脊 (huà tuó jiā jǐ)

🎯 Location: 0.5 - 1 thumb width lateral to the depressions below the spinous processes of the fifth cervical vertebra.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution near spinal cord; avoid deep perpendicular needling.

🛡️ Treats: Qi Stagnation, Circulation Blood, Neck Disorder, Regulate Six Fu, Regulate Five Zang

XB02C6Hua Tuo's Para-Vertebral Point - C6

XB02C6 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Extra Points: Back

🇨🇳 Chinese: 華佗夾脊 (huà tuó jiā jǐ)

🎯 Location: 0.5 - 1 thumb width lateral to the depressions below the spinous processes of the sixth cervical vertebra.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution near spinal cord; avoid deep perpendicular needling.

🛡️ Treats: Qi Stagnation, Circulation Blood, Neck Disorder, Regulate Six Fu, Regulate Five Zang

XB02C7Hua Tuo's Para-Vertebral Point - C7

XB02C7 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Extra Points: Back

🇨🇳 Chinese: 華佗夾脊 (huà tuó jiā jǐ)

🎯 Location: 0.5 - 1 thumb width lateral to the depressions below the spinous processes of the seventh cervical vertebra.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution near spinal cord; avoid deep perpendicular needling.

🛡️ Treats: Qi Stagnation, Circulation Blood, Neck Disorder, Regulate Six Fu, Regulate Five Zang

XH15Hundred Taxations

XH15 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Extra Points: Head

🇨🇳 Chinese: 頸百勞 / 百勞 (jǐng bǎi láo / bǎi láo)

🎯 Location: At the back of the neck, 2 thumb widths superior to the dazhui du-14, 1 thumb width lateral to the midline.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution near carotid artery and jugular vein.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Shortness of Breath, Phlegm, Sweating, Fever Tidal

Study-reported

Needling + Bloodletting · a 2-week course

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20241126-k0001 ↗
Not corroborated. No other study in the index uses any of these points for this search.
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1 box, $19.99

Protocol (3 points)

90%

XB02C4 · XB02C5 · XB02C6

XB02C4Hua Tuo's Para-Vertebral Point - C4

XB02C4 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Extra Points: Back

🇨🇳 Chinese: 華佗夾脊 (huà tuó jiā jǐ)

🎯 Location: 0.5 - 1 thumb width lateral to the depressions below the spinous processes of the fourth cervical vertebra.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution near spinal cord; avoid deep perpendicular needling.

🛡️ Treats: Qi Stagnation, Circulation Blood, Neck Disorder, Regulate Six Fu, Regulate Five Zang

XB02C5Hua Tuo's Para-Vertebral Point - C5

XB02C5 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Extra Points: Back

🇨🇳 Chinese: 華佗夾脊 (huà tuó jiā jǐ)

🎯 Location: 0.5 - 1 thumb width lateral to the depressions below the spinous processes of the fifth cervical vertebra.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution near spinal cord; avoid deep perpendicular needling.

🛡️ Treats: Qi Stagnation, Circulation Blood, Neck Disorder, Regulate Six Fu, Regulate Five Zang

XB02C6Hua Tuo's Para-Vertebral Point - C6

XB02C6 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Extra Points: Back

🇨🇳 Chinese: 華佗夾脊 (huà tuó jiā jǐ)

🎯 Location: 0.5 - 1 thumb width lateral to the depressions below the spinous processes of the sixth cervical vertebra.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution near spinal cord; avoid deep perpendicular needling.

🛡️ Treats: Qi Stagnation, Circulation Blood, Neck Disorder, Regulate Six Fu, Regulate Five Zang

Text or case report

Point selection recorded in a clinical text or case report.

Acupuncture Point Prescriptions, entry ACC6
Substantiated by a study. XB02C4, XB02C5, XB02C6 also appear in a study-reported protocol for the same search. That study did not test this prescription. doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20241126-k0001 ↗
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 Qi Stagnation

How often each point appears across the 33 entries ranked highest for Qi Stagnation. Citation frequency, not a recommendation.

  • LI04Junction ValleyLarge Intestine Meridian8 of 33
  • LV03Great SurgeLiver Meridian8 of 33
  • SP10Sea Of BloodSpleen Meridian8 of 33
  • BL40Middle Of The CreaseBladder Meridian7 of 33
  • LI11Pond At The BendLarge Intestine Meridian7 of 33
  • PC03Marsh At The BendPericardium Meridian6 of 33
  • ST25Celestial PivotStomach Meridian6 of 33
  • SP06Three Yin IntersectionSpleen Meridian5 of 33
  • ST36Leg Three MilesStomach Meridian5 of 33
  • CV04Original Qi GateConception Vessel4 of 33
  • BL17Diaphragm Shu PointBladder Meridian3 of 33
  • CV12Stomach CentreConception Vessel3 of 33

How the studies delivered it

What the 5 studies behind the entries above ran, counted once per study. A record of the trials, not a recommendation.

  • Needling2 of 5
  • Herbal plaster on points2 of 5
  • Acupressure1 of 5
  • Bloodletting1 of 5

Course: the 3 studies that gave a length ran a median of 4 weeks (middle half 3 weeks to 4 weeks).

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

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