Acupuncture Points for Spasticity Post-stroke

32 sourced protocols, each with its citation.

Each card names its evidence kind. What these labels mean

Protocol (9 points)

100%

LI04 · LI11 · SP09 · BL40 · LV03 · CV12 · GV20 · GV21 · GV22

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

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

SP09Yin Mound Spring

SP09 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Spleen Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 陰陵泉 (yīn líng quán)

🎯 Location: On the lower border of the medial condyle of the tibia in the depression the posterior and inferior to the medial condyle of the tibia.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid in cases of knee inflammation.

🛡️ Treats: Heat Chest, Fever, Diarrhea, Shortness of Breath, Jaundice

BL40Middle Of The Crease

BL40 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 委中 (wěi zhōng)

🎯 Location: Midpoint of the transverse crease of the popliteal fossa between tendons of the biceps femoris and semitendinosus.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution in weakness/fatigue; avoid strong stimulation.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Diarrhea, Knee Pain, Vomiting, Abdominal Pain

LV03Great Surge

LV03 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Liver Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 太衝 (tài chōng)

🎯 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.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Diarrhea, Anxiety, Shortness of Breath, Sweating

CV12Stomach Centre

CV12 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Conception Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 中脘 (zhōng wǎn)

🎯 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.

🛡️ Treats: Poor Appetite, Diarrhea, Shortness of Breath, Common Cold, Depression

GV20100 Convergences

GV20 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Governing Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 百會 (bǎi huì)

🎯 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.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Chest Pain, Palpitations, Jaundice, Qi Deficiency

GV21Before The Vertex

GV21 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Governing Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 前頂 (qián dǐng)

🎯 Location: 3.5 thumb widths directly above the midpoint of the anterior hairline 1.5 thumb widths anterior to the GV20.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Convulsions, Wind, Pain, Aversion Cold, Edema

GV22Fontanelle Meeting

GV22 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Governing Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 囟會 (xìn huì)

🎯 Location: 2 thumb widths posterior to the midpoint of the anterior hairline 3 thumb widths anterior to the GV20.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution in infants; avoid in open fontanelle.

🛡️ Treats: Dizziness, Palpitations, Wind, Nasal Congestion, Facial Swelling

Study-reported

Needling + Electroacupuncture + Acupressure · 20 sessions over 4 weeks

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000020368 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI04, LI11, SP09, LV03 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1136/spcare-2024-005174 ↗
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Protocol (2 points)

100%

LI04 · TB05

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

TB05Outer Gate

TB05 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Triple Burner Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 外關 (wài guān)

🎯 Location: 2 thumb widths proximal to the dorsal crease of the wrist on the line connecting TB04 and tip of the olecranon the between radius and ulna.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Sweating, Kidney Deficiency, Dizziness, Tinnitus

Study-reported

Needling · 3 sessions over 7 days

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1155/crnm/2219978 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI04, TB05 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.51507/j.jams.2023.16.6.248 ↗
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Protocol (4 points)

100%

LI11 · LI15 · GB30 · GB34

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

LI15Shoulder And Clavicle

LI15 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Large Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 肩髃 (jiān yú)

🎯 Location: Anteroinferior to the acromion on the upper portion of the deltoid muscle; when arm is in the full abduction the point is in the depression the appearing at the anterior border of the acromioclavicular joint.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep perpendicular needling due to risk of pneumothorax; caution in shoulder injuries.

🛡️ Treats: Wind, Shoulder Pain, Pain, Goiter, Hemiplegia

GB30Jumping Circle

GB30 acupoint
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🗺️ 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

GB34Yang Mound Spring

GB34 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Gallbladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 陽陵泉 (yáng líng quán)

🎯 Location: In the depression the anterior and inferior to the head of the fibula.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Knee Pain, Jaundice, Constipation, Vomiting

Study-reported

Needling · 20 sessions over 4 weeks

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.13702/j.1000-0607.20250130 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI11, LI15, GB30, GB34 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.0255-2930.20200708-0002 ↗
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Protocol (8 points)

100%

SP09 · BL59 · KD06 · KD08 · GB33 · GB34 · GB40 · LV08

SP09Yin Mound Spring

SP09 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Spleen Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 陰陵泉 (yīn líng quán)

🎯 Location: On the lower border of the medial condyle of the tibia in the depression the posterior and inferior to the medial condyle of the tibia.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid in cases of knee inflammation.

🛡️ Treats: Heat Chest, Fever, Diarrhea, Shortness of Breath, Jaundice

BL59Tarsus Yang

BL59 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 跗陽 (fū yáng)

🎯 Location: 3 thumb widths directly above the BL60.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Numbness, Shoulder Pain, Pain, Thigh Pain

KD06Shining Sea

KD06 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Kidney Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 照海 (zhào hǎi)

🎯 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.

🛡️ Treats: Heat Deficiency, Dizziness, Constipation, Chest Fullness, Abdominal Bloating

KD08Belief Intersection

KD08 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Kidney Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 交信 (jiāo xìn)

🎯 Location: 0.5 thumb widths anterior to the KD07, 2 thumb widths above the KD03 posterior to the medial border of the tibia.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Diarrhea, Heat, Absent Periods, Swelling, Dysentery

GB33Yang Knee Gate

GB33 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Gallbladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 膝陽關 (xī yáng guān)

🎯 Location: 3 thumb widths above the GB34 lateral to the knee joint in the depression above the external epicondyle of the femur.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid in acute knee injury.

🛡️ Treats: Numbness, Redness, Swelling, Qi Leg, Disease Knee

GB34Yang Mound Spring

GB34 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Gallbladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 陽陵泉 (yáng líng quán)

🎯 Location: In the depression the anterior and inferior to the head of the fibula.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Knee Pain, Jaundice, Constipation, Vomiting

GB40Mound

GB40 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Gallbladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 丘墟 (qiū xū)

🎯 Location: Anterior and inferior to the external malleolus in the depression on the lateral side of the tendon of the extensor digitorum longus.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Chest Pain, Fever, Common Cold, Vomiting, Redness

LV08Spring At The Bend

LV08 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Liver Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 曲泉 (qū quán)

🎯 Location: When knee is flexed point is at the medial end of the transverse popliteal crease posterior to the medial epicondyle of the tibia in the depression of the anterior border of the insertions of the semimembranosus and semitendinosus.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Shortness of Breath, Knee Pain, Common Cold, Heat, Abdominal Pain

Study-reported

Needling

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.13702/j.1000-0607.20250680 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. SP09, GB34, GB40 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1136/spcare-2024-005174 ↗
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Protocol (4 points)

100%

GB20 · GV20 · XH03 · MS06

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

GV20100 Convergences

GV20 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Governing Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 百會 (bǎi huì)

🎯 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.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Chest Pain, Palpitations, Jaundice, Qi Deficiency

XH03Hall Of Impression Or Seal Hall

XH03 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Extra Points: Head

🇨🇳 Chinese: 印堂 (yìn táng)

🎯 Location: At the glabella, at the midpoint between the medial extremities of the eyebrows.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Anxiety, Dizziness, Wind, Facial Pain, Insomnia

MS06Anterior Oblique Line of Vertex-Temporal

MS06 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Scalp Lines

🇨🇳 Chinese: 頂顳前斜線 (dǐng niè qián xié xiàn)

🎯 Location: From Qianshencong (1 cun anterior to GV20) obliquely to GB06 Xuanli, crossing the bladder and gallbladder meridians.

Study-reported

Needling · 20 sessions over 4 weeks

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20240925-0001 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. GV20, MS06 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1155/2020/1520851 ↗
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Protocol (7 points)

100%

LU05 · HT01 · GB20 · GV20 · GV26 · XH03 · MS06

LU05Cubit Marsh

LU05 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Lung Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 尺澤 (chǐ zé)

🎯 Location: On the cubital crease in the depression of the radial side of the biceps brachii tendon; point is located with elbow slightly flexed.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid in cases of severe vascular disease; caution with depth at cubital fossa.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Diarrhea, Shortness of Breath, Asthma, Knee Pain

HT01Highest Spring

HT01 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Heart Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 極泉 (jí quán)

🎯 Location: When upper arm is abducted point is in the center of the axilla on the medial side of the axillary artery.

⚠️ Cautions: Contraindicated for needling; proximity to axillary artery.

🛡️ Treats: Chest Pain, Anxiety, Palpitations, Elbow Pain, Retching

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

GV20100 Convergences

GV20 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Governing Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 百會 (bǎi huì)

🎯 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.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Chest Pain, Palpitations, Jaundice, Qi Deficiency

GV26Philtrum

GV26 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Governing Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 人中 (rén zhōng)

🎯 Location: At the junction of the upper ⅓ and middle ⅓ of the philtrum.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Jaundice, Depression, Wind, Chills

XH03Hall Of Impression Or Seal Hall

XH03 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Extra Points: Head

🇨🇳 Chinese: 印堂 (yìn táng)

🎯 Location: At the glabella, at the midpoint between the medial extremities of the eyebrows.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Anxiety, Dizziness, Wind, Facial Pain, Insomnia

MS06Anterior Oblique Line of Vertex-Temporal

MS06 acupoint
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Click to enlarge

🗺️ Meridian: Scalp Lines

🇨🇳 Chinese: 頂顳前斜線 (dǐng niè qián xié xiàn)

🎯 Location: From Qianshencong (1 cun anterior to GV20) obliquely to GB06 Xuanli, crossing the bladder and gallbladder meridians.

Study-reported

Needling · 20 sessions over 4 weeks

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20240925-0001 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LU05, HT01, GV26 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.0255-2930.20200708-0002 ↗
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Related symptoms

Often treated alongside Spasticity Post-stroke:

Points cited for Spasticity Post-stroke

How often each point appears across the 32 entries ranked highest for Spasticity Post-stroke. Citation frequency, not a recommendation.

  • LI11Pond At The BendLarge Intestine Meridian13 of 32
  • LI15Shoulder And ClavicleLarge Intestine Meridian13 of 32
  • LI04Junction ValleyLarge Intestine Meridian12 of 32
  • TB05Outer GateTriple Burner Meridian12 of 32
  • GB34Yang Mound SpringGallbladder Meridian9 of 32
  • GV20100 ConvergencesGoverning Vessel8 of 32
  • SI03Back StreamSmall Intestine Meridian8 of 32
  • LI10Arm Three MilesLarge Intestine Meridian7 of 32
  • LV03Great SurgeLiver Meridian7 of 32
  • GB30Jumping CircleGallbladder Meridian5 of 32
  • MS06Anterior Oblique Line of Vertex-TemporalScalp Lines5 of 32
  • ST40Abundant BulgeStomach Meridian5 of 32

Tested, no effect found

These studies tested the points below for Spasticity Post-stroke and found no effect. They are not counted above.

LI10 · LI11 · LI15 – pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov – No better than another treatment

LU05 · LI15 · HT01 · PC07 · TB04 · TB10 – pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov – No better than another treatment

LI11 – doi:10.1186/1749-8546-7-7 – No better than another treatment – Post-stroke LI 11 arm

PC02 – doi:10.1186/1749-8546-7-7 – No better than another treatment – Post-stroke PC 2 arm

Registered, results not reported

These trials registered a protocol for Spasticity Post-stroke and have not reported results. They are not counted above.

LI04 · LI10 · LI11 · LI15 · ST36 · ST40 · SP06 · TB05 · GB34 · LV03 – doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2017-017912

LI11 · ST37 · TB05 · GB34 · MS06 – doi:10.3389/fneur.2023.1269472

LI04 · LI11 · LI15 · ST36 · BL60 · TB05 · GB30 – doi:10.2147/jmdh.s512206

LI04 · SI03 · PC07 – doi:10.3389/fneur.2022.835408

LI11 – doi:10.3736/jcim20120309 – Post-stroke LI 11 arm

PC02 – doi:10.3736/jcim20120309 – Post-stroke PC 2 arm

How the studies delivered it

What the 27 studies behind the entries above ran, counted once per study. A record of the trials, not a recommendation.

  • Needling24 of 27
  • Electroacupuncture8 of 27
  • Acupressure1 of 27
  • Electrical stimulation on the skin1 of 27

Sessions: the 18 studies that gave a count ran a median of 20 (middle half 17 to 24).

Course: the 18 studies that gave a length ran a median of 4 weeks (middle half 4 weeks to 53 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.