# Acupoints for Stiffness Morning

20 sourced protocols for Stiffness Morning. Canonical page: https://acuiq.com/symptoms/stiffness-morning

## Protocols

| # | Points | Dosage | Frequency | Source | Kind | Caveat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | LI04 (Junction Valley), ST36 (Leg Three Miles), BL40 (Middle Of The Crease), GB20 (Wind Pool), GV20 (100 Convergences) | – | – | doi:10.1093/ecam/nel012 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 2 | LI05 (Yang Stream), BL60 (Kunlun (Mountains)), GB30 (Jumping Circle), GB34 (Yang Mound Spring), CV22 (Celestial Prominence) | – | – | doi:10.1093/ecam/nel012 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 3 | LI04 (Junction Valley), LI11 (Pond At The Bend), ST36 (Leg Three Miles), TB05 (Outer Gate), GB34 (Yang Mound Spring), GB39 (Suspended Bell) | – | – | doi:10.1186/1472-6882-7-35 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 4 | LI04 (Junction Valley), ST34 (Ridge Mound), ST35 (Calf's Nose), ST36 (Leg Three Miles), ST40 (Abundant Bulge), ST41 (Dividing Cleft), SP06 (Three Yin Intersection), SP09 (Yin Mound Spring), SP10 (Sea Of Blood), BL60 (Kunlun (Mountains)), KD03 (Great Stream), GB31 (Wind Market), GB33 (Yang Knee Gate), GB34 (Yang Mound Spring), GB36 (Outer Hill), GB39 (Suspended Bell), GB41 (Foot Governor Of Tears), LV03 (Great Surge), LV08 (Spring At The Bend) | – | – | doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2016-013830 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 5 | ST36 (Leg Three Miles), BL23 (Kidney Shu Point) | – | – | doi:10.1155/2019/4705247 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 6 | ST36 (Leg Three Miles), BL23 (Kidney Shu Point) | – | – | doi:10.1155/2021/6637554 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 7 | LI11 (Pond At The Bend), HT03 (Lesser Sea), TB10 (Heavenly Well) | – | – | doi:10.1155/2021/4827123 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 8 | SP09 (Yin Mound Spring), GB34 (Yang Mound Spring) | – | – | doi:10.1155/2021/4827123 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 9 | ST36 (Leg Three Miles), BL23 (Kidney Shu Point) | – | – | doi:10.2147/JPR.S408814 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 10 | ST36 (Leg Three Miles), BL23 (Kidney Shu Point) | – | – | doi:10.13702/j.1000-0607.20220088 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 11 | ST36 (Leg Three Miles), SP10 (Sea Of Blood), BL23 (Kidney Shu Point), BL25 (Large Intestine Shu Point), CV03 (Central Pivot), CV22 (Celestial Prominence), GV02 (Lumbar Point), GV14 (Great Vertebra) | – | – | doi:10.13702/j.1000-0607.20231040 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 12 | ST36 (Leg Three Miles), BL23 (Kidney Shu Point) | – | – | doi:10.3389/fimmu.2022.829409 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 13 | ST36 (Leg Three Miles), BL20 (Spleen Shu Point), BL23 (Kidney Shu Point), GV04 (Life Gate), GV14 (Great Vertebra) | – | – | doi:10.3389/fimmu.2022.829409 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 14 | LI04 (Junction Valley), ST36 (Leg Three Miles), BL18 (Liver Shu Point), BL23 (Kidney Shu Point), GB39 (Suspended Bell) | – | – | doi:10.3389/fimmu.2022.829409 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 15 | ST36 (Leg Three Miles), BL23 (Kidney Shu Point) | – | – | doi:10.13702/j.1000-0607.20250347 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 16 | ST36 (Leg Three Miles), BL23 (Kidney Shu Point) | – | – | doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20230414-k0005 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 17 | LI04 (Junction Valley), SI03 (Back Stream), TB05 (Outer Gate) | – | – | doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20231119-k0001 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 18 | ST35 (Calf's Nose), ST36 (Leg Three Miles), SP06 (Three Yin Intersection), SP09 (Yin Mound Spring), SP10 (Sea Of Blood), GB34 (Yang Mound Spring) | – | – | MEI Zhi-gang, CHENG Chuan-guo, ZHENG Jun-feng. Observations on Curative Effect of High-frequency Electric Sparkle and Point-injection Therapy on Knee Osteoarthritis. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2011, 31(4): 311-315 | text | Point selection recorded in a clinical text or case report. |
| 19 | ST34 (Ridge Mound), ST36 (Leg Three Miles), SP09 (Yin Mound Spring), SP10 (Sea Of Blood), BL40 (Middle Of The Crease), BL57 (Mountain Support) | – | – | MEI Zhi-gang, CHENG Chuan-guo, ZHENG Jun-feng. Observations on Curative Effect of High-frequency Electric Sparkle and Point-injection Therapy on Knee Osteoarthritis. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2011, 31(4): 311-315 | text | Point selection recorded in a clinical text or case report. |
| 20 | ST35 (Calf's Nose) | – | – | doi:10.3389/fneur.2026.1699988 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |

## Point locations

| Point | Name | Meridian | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| LI04 | Junction Valley | Large Intestine Meridian | On the dorsum of the hand between 1st & 2nd metacarpal bones approximately in the middle of the 2nd metacarpal bone on the radial side. |
| ST36 | Leg Three Miles | Stomach Meridian | 3 thumb widths below ST35, 1 finger breadth (middle finger) from anterior border of the tibia. |
| BL40 | Middle Of The Crease | Bladder Meridian | Midpoint of the transverse crease of the popliteal fossa between tendons of the biceps femoris and semitendinosus. |
| GB20 | Wind Pool | Gallbladder Meridian | In the depression the between upper portion of the scm and trapezius on the same level with GV16. |
| GV20 | 100 Convergences | Governing Vessel | 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. |
| LI05 | Yang Stream | Large Intestine Meridian | On the radial side of the wrist; when thumb is tilted upward it is in the depression the between tendons of the extensor pollicus longus and brevis. |
| BL60 | Kunlun (Mountains) | Bladder Meridian | In the depression the between tip of the external malleolus and achilles tendon. |
| 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. |
| CV22 | Celestial Prominence | Conception Vessel | In the center of the suprasternal fossa. |
| LI11 | Pond At The Bend | Large Intestine Meridian | 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. |
| TB05 | Outer Gate | Triple Burner Meridian | 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. |
| GB39 | Suspended Bell | Gallbladder Meridian | 3 thumb widths above the tip of the external malleolus on the anterior border of the fibula. |
| ST34 | Ridge Mound | Stomach Meridian | When knee is flexed point is 2 thumb widths above the laterosuperior border of the patella. |
| ST35 | Calf's Nose | Stomach Meridian | When knee is flexed point is at the lower border of the patella in the depression the lateral to the patellar ligament. |
| ST40 | Abundant Bulge | Stomach Meridian | 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. |
| ST41 | Dividing Cleft | Stomach Meridian | On the dorsum of the foot at the midpoint of the transverse crease of the ankle joint in the depression the between tendons of the extensor digitorum longus and hallucis longus approximately at the level of the tip of the external malleolus. |
| SP06 | Three Yin Intersection | Spleen Meridian | 3 thumb widths directly above the tip of the medial malleolus posterior to the medial border of the tibia. |
| SP09 | Yin Mound Spring | Spleen Meridian | 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. |
| SP10 | Sea Of Blood | Spleen Meridian | When knee is flexed point is 2 thumb widths above the mediosuperior border of the patella on the bulge of the medial portion of the quadriceps femoris. |
| KD03 | Great Stream | Kidney Meridian | In the depression the between tip of the medial malleolus and achilles tendon. |
| 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. |
| GB33 | Yang Knee Gate | Gallbladder Meridian | 3 thumb widths above the GB34 lateral to the knee joint in the depression above the external epicondyle of the femur. |
| GB36 | Outer Hill | Gallbladder Meridian | 7 thumb widths above the tip of the external malleolus on the anterior border of the fibula. |
| GB41 | Foot Governor Of Tears | Gallbladder Meridian | Posterior to the 4th metatarsophalangeal joint in the depression the lateral to the tendon of the extensor digiti minimi of the foot. |
| LV03 | Great Surge | Liver Meridian | On the dorsum of the foot in the depression the distal to the junction of the 1st and 2nd metatarsal bones. |
| LV08 | Spring At The Bend | Liver Meridian | 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. |
| 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. |
| HT03 | Lesser Sea | Heart Meridian | With elbow flexed, at the midpoint of the line connecting medial end of the cubital crease and medial epicondyle of the humerus. |
| TB10 | Heavenly Well | Triple Burner Meridian | When elbow is flexed point is in the depression the about 1 thumb width superior to the olecranon. |
| 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. |
| CV03 | Central Pivot | Conception Vessel | On the anterior midline 4 thumb widths below umbilicus. |
| GV02 | Lumbar Point | Governing Vessel | In the hiatus of the sacrum. |
| GV14 | Great Vertebra | Governing Vessel | Below spinous process of the 7th cervical vertebra approximately at the level of the shoulders. |
| BL20 | Spleen Shu Point | Bladder Meridian | 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the GV06 at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 11th thoracic vertebra. |
| GV04 | Life Gate | Governing Vessel | Below spinous process of the 2nd lumbar vertebra. |
| BL18 | Liver Shu Point | Bladder Meridian | 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the GV08 at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 9th thoracic 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. |
| 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. |

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AcuiQ-authored prose (symptom and meridian descriptions, the wiki, the auricular crosswalk) is licensed CC-BY-4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/. The assembled protocol compilation is not: build on it with attribution, but do not redistribute it whole as a dataset – https://acuiq.com/terms. 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