# Acupoints for Sciatica

26 sourced protocols for Sciatica. Canonical page: https://acuiq.com/symptoms/sciatica

## Protocols

| # | Points | Dosage | Frequency | Source | Kind | Caveat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BL25 (Large Intestine Shu Point), BL40 (Middle Of The Crease) | – | – | doi:10.1186/1745-6215-12-226 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 2 | BL25 (Large Intestine Shu Point), GV02 (Lumbar Point) | – | – | doi:10.1186/1745-6215-12-226 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 3 | BL25 (Large Intestine Shu Point), BL40 (Middle Of The Crease) | – | – | doi:10.1155/2013/718593 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 4 | BL40 (Middle Of The Crease), GB30 (Jumping Circle), GB34 (Yang Mound Spring) | – | – | doi:10.1155/2015/425108 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 5 | BL25 (Large Intestine Shu Point) | – | – | doi:10.1155/2017/9502718 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 6 | BL23 (Kidney Shu Point), BL40 (Middle Of The Crease), BL54 (Lowermost In Order), BL57 (Mountain Support), GB30 (Jumping Circle), GB31 (Wind Market), GB34 (Yang Mound Spring), GV02 (Lumbar Point), GV03 (Yang Lumbar Gate), GV04 (Life Gate) | – | – | doi:10.1155/2022/6016542 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 7 | BL40 (Middle Of The Crease), BL57 (Mountain Support), GB30 (Jumping Circle), GV02 (Lumbar Point), GV03 (Yang Lumbar Gate), GV04 (Life Gate) | – | – | doi:10.1155/2022/6016542 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 8 | BL23 (Kidney Shu Point), BL25 (Large Intestine Shu Point), BL40 (Middle Of The Crease) | – | – | doi:10.2147/JPR.S457724 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 9 | BL23 (Kidney Shu Point), GV03 (Yang Lumbar Gate), GV04 (Life Gate) | – | – | doi:10.2147/JPR.S457724 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 10 | BL23 (Kidney Shu Point), BL25 (Large Intestine Shu Point), BL40 (Middle Of The Crease), BL54 (Lowermost In Order), BL57 (Mountain Support), BL60 (Kunlun (Mountains)), GB30 (Jumping Circle), GB34 (Yang Mound Spring), GB39 (Suspended Bell) | – | – | doi:10.1177/2515690X251355513 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 11 | BL22 (Sanjiao Shu Point), BL23 (Kidney Shu Point), BL24 (Sea Of Qi Shu Point), BL25 (Large Intestine Shu Point), BL52 (Willpower Room), GV03 (Yang Lumbar Gate), GV04 (Life Gate), GV05 (Suspended Pivot) | – | – | doi:10.3831/KPI.2012.15.006 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 12 | BL23 (Kidney Shu Point), BL25 (Large Intestine Shu Point), BL40 (Middle Of The Crease), GB30 (Jumping Circle), GB34 (Yang Mound Spring) | – | – | doi:10.3831/KPI.2019.22.025 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 13 | BL23 (Kidney Shu Point), BL40 (Middle Of The Crease), GB30 (Jumping Circle), GB34 (Yang Mound Spring) | – | – | doi:10.27879/d.cnki.ggxzy.2025.000295 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 14 | SI03 (Back Stream), BL23 (Kidney Shu Point), BL25 (Large Intestine Shu Point), BL40 (Middle Of The Crease), BL57 (Mountain Support), GB30 (Jumping Circle) | – | – | doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000049151 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 15 | BL40 (Middle Of The Crease), BL54 (Lowermost In Order), BL57 (Mountain Support), BL60 (Kunlun (Mountains)), GB30 (Jumping Circle), GB31 (Wind Market), GB34 (Yang Mound Spring), GB39 (Suspended Bell) | – | – | doi:10.1155/prm/9030734 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 16 | BL23 (Kidney Shu Point), BL24 (Sea Of Qi Shu Point), BL25 (Large Intestine Shu Point) | – | – | doi:10.2147/JPR.S597299 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 17 | BL23 (Kidney Shu Point), BL25 (Large Intestine Shu Point), BL40 (Middle Of The Crease), BL60 (Kunlun (Mountains)), GB30 (Jumping Circle), GV01 (Long Strength), GV02 (Lumbar Point), GV03 (Yang Lumbar Gate), GV04 (Life Gate) | – | – | doi:10.3389/fmed.2025.1674464 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 18 | BL54 (Lowermost In Order), GB30 (Jumping Circle), GB34 (Yang Mound Spring), GB39 (Suspended Bell) | – | – | doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e20041 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 19 | BL40 (Middle Of The Crease), BL57 (Mountain Support), GB30 (Jumping Circle), GB34 (Yang Mound Spring) | – | – | doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20200210-k0003 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 20 | BL23 (Kidney Shu Point), BL25 (Large Intestine Shu Point), GB30 (Jumping Circle), XB02L1 (Hua Tuo's Para-Vertebral Point - L1), XB02L2 (Hua Tuo's Para-Vertebral Point - L2), XB02L3 (Hua Tuo's Para-Vertebral Point - L3), XB02L4 (Hua Tuo's Para-Vertebral Point - L4), XB02L5 (Hua Tuo's Para-Vertebral Point - L5) | – | – | doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20210405-k0004 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 21 | BL23 (Kidney Shu Point), BL30 (White Ring Shu Point), BL36 (Support), BL39 (Outside Of The Crease), BL40 (Middle Of The Crease), BL57 (Mountain Support), BL60 (Kunlun (Mountains)), GB30 (Jumping Circle), GB31 (Wind Market), GB34 (Yang Mound Spring) | – | – | Deadman, Al-Khafaji & Baker, A Manual of Acupuncture — point group actions | text | Point selection recorded in a clinical text or case report. |
| 22 | BL23 (Kidney Shu Point), BL25 (Large Intestine Shu Point), BL40 (Middle Of The Crease), BL60 (Kunlun (Mountains)), GB30 (Jumping Circle) | – | – | CHEN Mei-ren, WANG Ping, CHENG Gang, GUO Xiang, WEI Gao-wen, CHENG Xu-hui. The Warming Acupuncture for Treatment of Sciatica in 30 Cases. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, March 2009, Vol. 29, No. 1: 50-53 | text | Point selection recorded in a clinical text or case report. |
| 23 | BL40 (Middle Of The Crease), GB36 (Outer Hill), GB43 (Narrow Stream) | – | – | Zhuang Ziqi & Jiang Ganghui. Thirty Cases of the Blood-Stasis Type Prolapse of Lumbar Intervertebral Disc Treated by Acupuncture at the Xi (cleft) Point plus Herbal Intervention Injection. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2008, 28(3): 178-182 | text | Point selection recorded in a clinical text or case report. |
| 24 | BL17 (Diaphragm Shu Point), BL25 (Large Intestine Shu Point), BL32 (Second Bone Hole), BL40 (Middle Of The Crease), GB30 (Jumping Circle), GB34 (Yang Mound Spring) | – | – | Zhuang Ziqi & Jiang Ganghui. Thirty Cases of the Blood-Stasis Type Prolapse of Lumbar Intervertebral Disc Treated by Acupuncture at the Xi (cleft) Point plus Herbal Intervention Injection. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2008, 28(3): 178-182 | text | Point selection recorded in a clinical text or case report. |
| 25 | BL23 (Kidney Shu Point), BL24 (Sea Of Qi Shu Point), BL25 (Large Intestine Shu Point), BL26 (Original Qi Gate Shu Point), BL31 (Upper Bone Hole), BL32 (Second Bone Hole), BL54 (Lowermost In Order), GB30 (Jumping Circle) | – | – | The Effectiveness of Doin (Conduction Exercise) of the Pelvic Joint for HLD With Radiating Leg Pain. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03571503 | text | Point selection recorded in a clinical text or case report. |
| 26 | BL23 (Kidney Shu Point), BL40 (Middle Of The Crease), GB30 (Jumping Circle), GB34 (Yang Mound Spring) | – | – | 姜伟陈少宗王喆万红棉. 基于数据挖掘技术探讨温针灸治疗腰椎间盘突出症选穴规律与作用机制研究. 世界中医药 ., 2024 [CNKI] | text | Point selection recorded in a clinical text or case report. |

## Point locations

| Point | Name | Meridian | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| BL25 | Large Intestine Shu Point | Bladder Meridian | 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the GV03 at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 4th lumbar vertebra. |
| BL40 | Middle Of The Crease | Bladder Meridian | Midpoint of the transverse crease of the popliteal fossa between tendons of the biceps femoris and semitendinosus. |
| GV02 | Lumbar Point | Governing Vessel | In the hiatus of the sacrum. |
| GB30 | Jumping Circle | Gallbladder Meridian | 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. |
| GB34 | Yang Mound Spring | Gallbladder Meridian | In the depression the anterior and inferior to the head of the fibula. |
| BL23 | Kidney Shu Point | Bladder Meridian | 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the GV04 at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 2nd lumbar vertebra. |
| BL54 | Lowermost In Order | Bladder Meridian | On the level of the 4th posterior sacral foramen 3 thumb widths lateral to the median sacral crest. |
| BL57 | Mountain Support | Bladder Meridian | On the posterior midline of the leg between BL40 and BL60 in the pointed depression the formed below gastrocnemius belly when leg is stretched or heel is lifted. |
| GB31 | Wind Market | Gallbladder Meridian | On the midline of the lateral aspect of the thigh, 7 thumb widths above the transverse popliteal crease; when patient is standing erect with hands close to the sides, point is where tip of the middle finger touches. |
| GV03 | Yang Lumbar Gate | Governing Vessel | Below spinous process of the 4th lumbar vertebra at the level with iliac crest. |
| GV04 | Life Gate | Governing Vessel | Below spinous process of the 2nd lumbar vertebra. |
| BL60 | Kunlun (Mountains) | Bladder Meridian | In the depression the between tip of the external malleolus and achilles tendon. |
| GB39 | Suspended Bell | Gallbladder Meridian | 3 thumb widths above the tip of the external malleolus on the anterior border of the fibula. |
| BL22 | Sanjiao Shu Point | Bladder Meridian | 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the GV05 at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 1st lumbar vertebra. |
| BL24 | Sea Of Qi Shu Point | Bladder Meridian | 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the du mai at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 3rd lumbar vertebra. |
| BL52 | Willpower Room | Bladder Meridian | 3 thumb widths lateral to the GV04 at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 2nd lumbar vertebra. |
| GV05 | Suspended Pivot | Governing Vessel | Below spinous process of the 1st lumbar vertebra. |
| SI03 | Back Stream | Small Intestine Meridian | 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. |
| GV01 | Long Strength | Governing Vessel | Midway between tip of the coccyx and anus, locate point with patient in the prone position. |
| XB02L1 | Hua Tuo's Para-Vertebral Point - L1 | Extra Points: Back | 0.5 - 1 thumb width lateral to the depressions below the spinous processes of the first lumbar vertebra. |
| XB02L2 | Hua Tuo's Para-Vertebral Point - L2 | Extra Points: Back | 0.5 - 1 thumb width lateral to the depressions below the spinous processes of the second lumbar vertebra. |
| XB02L3 | Hua Tuo's Para-Vertebral Point - L3 | Extra Points: Back | 0.5 - 1 thumb width lateral to the depressions below the spinous processes of the third lumbar vertebra. |
| XB02L4 | Hua Tuo's Para-Vertebral Point - L4 | Extra Points: Back | 0.5 - 1 thumb width lateral to the depressions below the spinous processes of the fourth lumbar vertebra. |
| XB02L5 | Hua Tuo's Para-Vertebral Point - L5 | Extra Points: Back | 0.5 - 1 thumb width lateral to the depressions below the spinous processes of the fifth lumbar vertebra. |
| BL30 | White Ring Shu Point | Bladder Meridian | 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the du mai at the level of the 4th posterior sacral foramen. |
| BL36 | Support | Bladder Meridian | On the posterior side of the thigh at the midpoint of the inferior gluteal crease. |
| BL39 | Outside Of The Crease | Bladder Meridian | Lateral to the BL40 on the medial border of the tendon of the biceps femoris. |
| GB36 | Outer Hill | Gallbladder Meridian | 7 thumb widths above the tip of the external malleolus on the anterior border of the fibula. |
| GB43 | Narrow Stream | Gallbladder Meridian | On the dorsum of the foot between 4th and 5th toe proximal to the margin of the web at the junction of the red and white skin. |
| BL17 | Diaphragm Shu Point | Bladder Meridian | 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the GV09 at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 7th thoracic vertebra. |
| BL32 | Second Bone Hole | Bladder Meridian | On the sacrum medial and inferior to the posterior superior iliac spine just at the 2nd posterior sacral foramen. |
| BL26 | Original Qi Gate Shu Point | Bladder Meridian | 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the du mai at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 5th lumbar vertebra. |
| BL31 | Upper Bone Hole | Bladder Meridian | On the sacrum at the midpoint between posterior superior iliac spine and posterior midline just at the 1st posterior sacral foramen. |

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AcuiQ-authored content (the protocol compilation, symptom and meridian prose, research essays) is licensed CC-BY-4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/. The underlying findings are the cited sources' claims – each entry carries its citation; verify against the source before relying on it. Not medical advice: https://acuiq.com/terms