🎯 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.
🎯 Location: 8 thumb widths superior to the tip of the external malleolus, lateral to the ST38 about 2 finger breadth (middle finger) lateral to the anterior border of the tibia.
🎯 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.
🎯 Location: 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the GV11 at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 5th thoracic vertebra.
⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep perpendicular needling – risk of pneumothorax. New, worsening or unstable cardiac symptoms need medical assessment before treatment.
🎯 Location: On the dorsum of the foot in the depression the distal to the junction of the 1st and 2nd metatarsal bones.
⚠️ Cautions: Monitor blood pressure and avoid strong stimulation where hypertension is uncontrolled or unstable; hypertensive crisis is a medical emergency.
🎯 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.
🎯 Location: On the anterior midline 1.5 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.
🎯 Location: On the anterior midline 4 thumb widths above the 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.
🎯 Location: 0.5 thumb widths directly above the midpoint of the posterior hairline in the depression the below spinous process of the 1st cervical vertebra.
🎯 Location: 2.5 thumb widths directly above the midpoint of the posterior hairline 1.5 thumb widths directly above the GV16 in the depression on the upper border of the external occipital protuberance.
🎯 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.
Corroborated by a second study. LI04, GB20, CV23, GV20 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.0000000000031446 ↗
🎯 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.
🎯 Location: One finger breadth (middle finger) anterior & superior to the lower angle of the mandible where masseter is prominent when teeth are clenched & depressive when it is pressed.
⚠️ Cautions: Needle shallowly and obliquely; avoid the facial artery and deep needling into the joint capsule.
Point selection recorded in a clinical text or case report.
Deadman, Al-Khafaji & Baker, A Manual of Acupuncture – point group actions
Substantiated by a study. LI04, ST04, ST06 also appear in a study-reported protocol for the same search. That study did not test this prescription. doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.2018.08.008 ↗
🎯 Location: In the depression of the radial side of the index finger distal to the 2nd metacarpophalangeal joint; point located with finger slightly flexed.
🎯 Location: Anterior to the angle of the mandible on the anterior border of the attached portion of the masseter where pulsation of the facial artery is palpable in the groovelike depression the appearing when cheek is bulged.
⚠️ Cautions: Caution with facial nerve and artery.
🎯 Location: One finger breadth (middle finger) anterior & superior to the lower angle of the mandible where masseter is prominent when teeth are clenched & depressive when it is pressed.
⚠️ Cautions: Needle shallowly and obliquely; avoid the facial artery and deep needling into the joint capsule.
Corroborated by a second study. ST06 also appears in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.2018.08.008 ↗
🎯 Location: Superior to the styloid process of the radius 1.5 thumb widths above the transverse crease of the wrist between brachioradialis and tendon of the abductor policis longus.
⚠️ Cautions: Use with caution in patients with radial nerve sensitivity.
🎯 Location: In the depression the below tip of the medial malleolus.
⚠️ 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.
Corroborated by a second study. CV24 also appears in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1016/j.ijrobp.2015.01.050 ↗
🎯 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.
🎯 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.
Corroborated by a second study. LI04, ST36, SP06 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1016/s0254-6272(10)60036-2 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. XH12, XH13 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.0000000000031446 ↗
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How the studies delivered it
What the 7 studies behind the entries above ran, counted once per study. A record of the trials, not a recommendation.
Needling3 of 7
Laser1 of 7
Electrical stimulation on the skin1 of 7
Acupressure1 of 7
Electroacupuncture1 of 7
Bloodletting1 of 7
Course: the 3 studies that gave a length ran a median of 12 weeks (middle half 60 days to 87 days).
After a treatment: what large safety surveys recorded, and which reactions need a doctor.
Disclaimer: The acupoint information provided is for educational purposes only.
