Acupuncture Points for Sciatica Pain

3 sourced protocols, each with its citation.

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Points cited for Sciatica Pain

How often each point appears across the 3 entries ranked highest for Sciatica Pain. Citation frequency, not a recommendation.

  • GB30Jumping CircleGallbladder Meridian3 of 3
  • BL23Kidney Shu PointBladder Meridian2 of 3
  • BL25Large Intestine Shu PointBladder Meridian2 of 3
  • BL40Middle Of The CreaseBladder Meridian2 of 3
  • BL57Mountain SupportBladder Meridian2 of 3
  • BL60Kunlun (Mountains)Bladder Meridian2 of 3
  • BL24Sea Of Qi Shu PointBladder Meridian1 of 3
  • BL26Original Qi Gate Shu PointBladder Meridian1 of 3
  • BL31Upper Bone HoleBladder Meridian1 of 3
  • BL32Second Bone HoleBladder Meridian1 of 3
  • BL33Middle Bone HoleBladder Meridian1 of 3
  • BL34Lower Bone HoleBladder Meridian1 of 3

Each card names its evidence kind. What these labels mean

Protocol (12 points)

100%

BL23 · BL24 · BL25 · BL26 · BL31 · BL32 · BL33 · BL34 · BL40 · BL57 · BL60 · GB30

Point 1 of 12

BL23Kidney Shu Point

BL23 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 腎俞 (shèn yú)

🎯 Location: 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the GV04 at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 2nd lumbar vertebra.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep perpendicular needling.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Diarrhea, Asthma, Tinnitus, Qi Deficiency

Study-reported

Needling

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1093/ecam/nep085 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. BL23, BL25, BL40, BL57, BL60, GB30 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1177/2515690X251355513 ↗

Protocol (9 points)

100%

BL23 · BL25 · BL40 · BL54 · BL57 · BL60 · GB30 · GB34 · GB39

Point 1 of 9

BL23Kidney Shu Point

BL23 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 腎俞 (shèn yú)

🎯 Location: 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the GV04 at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 2nd lumbar vertebra.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep perpendicular needling.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Diarrhea, Asthma, Tinnitus, Qi Deficiency

Study-reported

Needling + Moxibustion · 9 sessions over 3 weeks

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1177/2515690X251355513 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. BL23, BL25, BL40, BL57, BL60, GB30 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1093/ecam/nep085 ↗

Single-point entry

100%

GB30Jumping Circle

GB30 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Gallbladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 環跳 (huán tiào)

🎯 Location: At the junction of the lateral ⅓ and medial ⅔ of the distance between prominence of the greater trochanter and hiatus of the sacrum, GV02; when locating point put patient in the lateral recumbent position the with thigh flexed.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution with sciatic nerve.

🛡️ Treats: Knee Pain, Back Pain, Leg Pain, Hip Pain, Pain

Study-reported

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.13480/j.issn1003-9430.2015.0252 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. GB30 also appears in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1093/ecam/nep085 ↗
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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.

  • Needling2 of 3
  • Moxibustion1 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.