Acupuncture Points for Radiculopathy Cervical

34 sourced protocols, each with its citation.

Kinds of Radiculopathy Cervical

This page covers 34 entries across every kind of radiculopathy cervical. Narrow it to the one you mean.

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 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI04, SI03, BL10, BL11, GB20, GB21, GV16 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.19288/j.cnki.issn.1000-2723.2019.05.009 ↗
Press Needles
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Protocol (3 points)

100%

GV14 · XB02C5 · XB02C6

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

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

Study-reported

Thread embedding · 3 sessions over 3 weeks

Did better than another treatment

Deep-layer (multifidus) arm

Point selection reported in a published study.

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ↗
Corroborated by a second study. GV14, XB02C5, XB02C6 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20220412-k0010 ↗

Protocol (5 points)

100%

LU02 · BL10 · GB12 · GB20 · GV16

LU02Cloud Gate

LU02 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Lung Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 雲門 (yún mén)

🎯 Location: In the superior lateral part of the anterior thoracic wall superior to the coracoid process of the scapula in the depression of the infraclavicular fossa 6 thumb widths lateral to the anterior midline.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep needling due to proximity to lungs and blood vessels; contraindicated in hemoptysis.

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

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

GB12Mastoid Process

GB12 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Gallbladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 完骨 (wán gǔ)

🎯 Location: In the depression the posterior and inferior to the mastoid process.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications for head points.

🛡️ Treats: Wind, Pain, Deviation Eye, Facial Droop, Epilepsy

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

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

Improved from baseline; no control group

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000026151 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. BL10, GB20, GV16 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.3831/KPI.2012.15.2.036 ↗
Press Needles
1 box, $19.99

Protocol (5 points)

100%

SI04 · SI11 · SI15 · GB20 · GB21

SI04Wrist Bone

SI04 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Small Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 腕骨 (wàn gǔ)

🎯 Location: On the ulnar side of the palm in the depression the between base of the 5th metacarpal bone and hamate bone.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Tinnitus, Jaundice, Heat, Spleen Deficiency

SI11Heavenly Gathering

SI11 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Small Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 天宗 (tiān zōng)

🎯 Location: On the scapula in the depression of the center of the subscapular fossa and at the level of the 4th thoracic vertebra.

⚠️ Cautions: Rule out fracture, dislocation and joint instability before needling, and do not needle into an acutely swollen joint or a haemarthrosis.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Qi Stagnation, Chest Fullness, Elbow Pain, Shoulder Blade Pain

SI15Middle Shoulder Point

SI15 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Small Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 肩中俞 (jiān zhōng shū)

🎯 Location: 2 thumb widths lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the 7th cervical vertebra (GV14).

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

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Fever, 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

Study-reported

Electroacupuncture

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000039483 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. SI11, SI15, GB20, GB21 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.19288/j.cnki.issn.1000-2723.2019.05.009 ↗

Protocol (7 points)

100%

LI10 · LI11 · LI12 · BL10 · TB14 · GB20 · GV16

LI10Arm Three Miles

LI10 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Large Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 手三里 (shǒu sān lǐ)

🎯 Location: On the line joining LI05 and LI11, 2 thumb widths below cubital crease.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid in cases of local inflammation or injury.

🛡️ Treats: Diarrhea, Vomiting, Abdominal Pain, Pain, Facial Droop

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

LI12Elbow Bone Hole

LI12 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Large Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 肘髎 (zhǒu liáo)

🎯 Location: When elbow is flexed point is on the lateral side of the upper arm 1 thumb width above the LI11 on the border of the humerus.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Pain, Excessive Sleepiness, Channel Stagnation, Shoulder Numbness, Contraction

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

TB14Shoulder Bone Hole

TB14 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Triple Burner Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 肩髎 (jiān liáo)

🎯 Location: On the shoulder posterior to the LI15 in the depression the inferior and posterior to the acromion the when arm is abducted.

⚠️ Cautions: Rule out fracture, dislocation and joint instability before needling, and do not needle into an acutely swollen joint or a haemarthrosis.

🛡️ Treats: Numbness, Shoulder Pain, Pain, Arm Pain, Benefit Shoulders

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

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

Electroacupuncture

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000043745 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI10, LI11, BL10, GB20, GV16 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.19288/j.cnki.issn.1000-2723.2019.05.009 ↗

Protocol (7 points)

100%

LI10 · LI11 · LI12 · BL10 · TB14 · GB20 · GV16

LI10Arm Three Miles

LI10 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Large Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 手三里 (shǒu sān lǐ)

🎯 Location: On the line joining LI05 and LI11, 2 thumb widths below cubital crease.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid in cases of local inflammation or injury.

🛡️ Treats: Diarrhea, Vomiting, Abdominal Pain, Pain, Facial Droop

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

LI12Elbow Bone Hole

LI12 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Large Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 肘髎 (zhǒu liáo)

🎯 Location: When elbow is flexed point is on the lateral side of the upper arm 1 thumb width above the LI11 on the border of the humerus.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Pain, Excessive Sleepiness, Channel Stagnation, Shoulder Numbness, Contraction

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

TB14Shoulder Bone Hole

TB14 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Triple Burner Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 肩髎 (jiān liáo)

🎯 Location: On the shoulder posterior to the LI15 in the depression the inferior and posterior to the acromion the when arm is abducted.

⚠️ Cautions: Rule out fracture, dislocation and joint instability before needling, and do not needle into an acutely swollen joint or a haemarthrosis.

🛡️ Treats: Numbness, Shoulder Pain, Pain, Arm Pain, Benefit Shoulders

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

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

Electroacupuncture

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000043745 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI10, LI11, BL10, GB20, GV16 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.19288/j.cnki.issn.1000-2723.2019.05.009 ↗
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Points cited for Radiculopathy Cervical

How often each point appears across the 34 entries ranked highest for Radiculopathy Cervical. Citation frequency, not a recommendation.

  • GB20Wind PoolGallbladder Meridian16 of 34
  • GB21Shoulder WellGallbladder Meridian16 of 34
  • GV14Great VertebraGoverning Vessel14 of 34
  • LI04Junction ValleyLarge Intestine Meridian13 of 34
  • LI11Pond At The BendLarge Intestine Meridian11 of 34
  • BL10Celestial PillarBladder Meridian10 of 34
  • SI11Heavenly GatheringSmall Intestine Meridian9 of 34
  • TB05Outer GateTriple Burner Meridian9 of 34
  • XB02C5Hua Tuo's Para-Vertebral Point - C5Extra Points: Back9 of 34
  • GV16Wind MansionGoverning Vessel8 of 34
  • SI03Back StreamSmall Intestine Meridian8 of 34
  • LI10Arm Three MilesLarge Intestine Meridian7 of 34

Tested, no effect found

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

LI04 · LI10 · LI11 · SI11 · TB05 · GB21 · XB02C3 · XB02C4 · XB02C5 · XB02C6 · XB02C7 – doi:10.13702/j.1000-0607.20210531 – No better than another treatment

LI11 · XB02C4 · XB02C5 · XB02C6 · XB02C7 · XB02T1 – pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov – No better than another treatment

Registered, results not reported

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

BL10 · BL11 · XH15 – doi:10.1186/s13063-019-4012-1

How the studies delivered it

What the 21 studies behind the entries above ran, counted once per study. A record of the trials, not a recommendation.

  • Needling10 of 21
  • Electroacupuncture4 of 21
  • Thread embedding2 of 21
  • Bloodletting2 of 21
  • Point injection1 of 21
  • Acupressure1 of 21
  • Cupping1 of 21
  • Moxibustion1 of 21

Sessions: the 7 studies that gave a count ran a median of 12 (middle half 8 to 16).

Course: the 8 studies that gave a length ran a median of 25 days (middle half 19 days 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.