Acupuncture Points for Radiating Arm Pain

1 sourced protocol, each with its citation.

Each card names its evidence kind. What these labels mean

Protocol (10 points)

100%

LI04 · SI03 · BL10 · BL11 · BL12 · TB03 · TB10 · GB20 · GB21 · GV16

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

SI03Back Stream

SI03 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Small Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 後谿 (hòu xī)

🎯 Location: 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.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Knee Pain, Tinnitus, Jaundice, Common Cold

BL10Celestial Pillar

BL10 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 天柱 (tiān zhù)

🎯 Location: 1.3 thumb widths lateral to the midpoint of the posterior hairline and in the depression on the lateral aspect of the trapezius.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution with vertebral artery.

🛡️ Treats: Dizziness, Wind, Pain, Epilepsy, Nasal Congestion

BL11Great Shuttle

BL11 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 大杼 (dà zhù)

🎯 Location: 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the GV13 at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 1st thoracic vertebra.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Heat Chest, Cough, Fever, Shortness of Breath, Knee Pain

BL12Wind Gate

BL12 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 風門 (fēng mén)

🎯 Location: 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the du mai at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 2nd thoracic vertebra.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep perpendicular needling.

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

TB03Central Islet

TB03 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Triple Burner Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 中渚 (zhōng zhǔ)

🎯 Location: When fist is clenched point is on the dorsum of the hand between 4th and 5th metacarpal bones in the depression the proximal to the 4th metacarpophalangeal joint.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Heat, Redness

TB10Heavenly Well

TB10 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Triple Burner Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 天井 (tiān jǐng)

🎯 Location: When elbow is flexed point is in the depression the about 1 thumb width superior to the olecranon.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Fever, Phlegm, Sweating, Palpitations

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

GV16Wind Mansion

GV16 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Governing Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 風府 (fēng fǔ)

🎯 Location: 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.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution; proximity to foramen magnum.

🛡️ Treats: Stress, Heat Chest, Anxiety, Sweating, Dizziness

Study-reported

Needling + Point injection

Improved from baseline; no control group

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.3831/KPI.2012.15.2.036 ↗
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Related symptoms

Often treated alongside Radiating Arm Pain:

Points cited for Radiating Arm Pain

How often each point appears across the 1 entries ranked highest for Radiating Arm Pain. Citation frequency, not a recommendation.

  • BL10Celestial PillarBladder Meridian1 of 1
  • BL11Great ShuttleBladder Meridian1 of 1
  • BL12Wind GateBladder Meridian1 of 1
  • GB20Wind PoolGallbladder Meridian1 of 1
  • GB21Shoulder WellGallbladder Meridian1 of 1
  • GV16Wind MansionGoverning Vessel1 of 1
  • LI04Junction ValleyLarge Intestine Meridian1 of 1
  • SI03Back StreamSmall Intestine Meridian1 of 1
  • TB03Central IsletTriple Burner Meridian1 of 1
  • TB10Heavenly WellTriple Burner Meridian1 of 1

How the studies delivered it

What the 1 studies behind the entries above ran, counted once per study. A record of the trials, not a recommendation.

  • Needling1 of 1
  • Point injection1 of 1

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

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