# Acupoints for Stiffness Neck

29 sourced protocols for Stiffness Neck. Canonical page: https://acuiq.com/symptoms/stiffness-neck

## Protocols

| # | Points | Dosage | Frequency | Source | Kind | Caveat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SI14 (Outer Shoulder Point), SI15 (Middle Shoulder Point), GB21 (Shoulder Well) | – | – | doi:10.1155/2011/543291 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 2 | LI04 (Junction Valley), LI10 (Arm Three Miles), LI11 (Pond At The Bend) | – | – | doi:10.1155/2011/543291 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 3 | SI15 (Middle Shoulder Point), TB03 (Central Islet), GV14 (Great Vertebra) | – | – | doi:10.1186/1745-6215-13-107 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 4 | SI03 (Back Stream), SI04 (Wrist Bone), SI09 (True Shoulder), SI10 (Upper Arm Shu Point), SI11 (Heavenly Gathering), SI12 (Grasping The Wind), SI14 (Outer Shoulder Point), BL11 (Great Shuttle), BL12 (Wind Gate), BL65 (Restraining Bone), TB14 (Shoulder Bone Hole), TB15 (Heavenly Bone Hole), TB16 (Window Of Heaven), TB17 (Hurricane), GB21 (Shoulder Well) | – | – | doi:10.1136/acupmed-2013-010410 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 5 | SI14 (Outer Shoulder Point), BL10 (Celestial Pillar), BL42 (Door Of The Corporeal Soul), GB21 (Shoulder Well) | – | – | doi:10.1186/1472-6882-14-246 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 6 | LI11 (Pond At The Bend), TB05 (Outer Gate) | – | – | doi:10.1186/s13063-015-0623-3 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 7 | LI11 (Pond At The Bend), HT07 (Spirit Gate), SI03 (Back Stream), SI15 (Middle Shoulder Point), BL10 (Celestial Pillar), BL65 (Restraining Bone), PC06 (Inner Gate), TB03 (Central Islet), TB15 (Heavenly Bone Hole), GB20 (Wind Pool), GB34 (Yang Mound Spring), GB39 (Suspended Bell), GB41 (Foot Governor Of Tears), CV14 (Great Palace Gate) | – | – | doi:10.1186/s12906-016-1027-y | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 8 | BL10 (Celestial Pillar), GB20 (Wind Pool), GB21 (Shoulder Well), GV16 (Wind Mansion) | – | – | doi:10.1155/2016/4943204 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 9 | ST24 (Slippery Flesh Gate), KD17 (Shang Bend), CV04 (Original Qi Gate), CV12 (Stomach Centre) | – | – | doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0181360 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 10 | BL10 (Celestial Pillar), GB12 (Mastoid Process), GB20 (Wind Pool), GB21 (Shoulder Well), GV14 (Great Vertebra), GV15 (Gate Of Muteness), GV16 (Wind Mansion) | – | – | doi:10.1186/s13063-017-2418-1 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 11 | GB20 (Wind Pool), GB21 (Shoulder Well), GV14 (Great Vertebra) | – | – | doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000028540 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 12 | SI11 (Heavenly Gathering), BL10 (Celestial Pillar), GB20 (Wind Pool), GB21 (Shoulder Well) | – | – | doi:10.3233/THC-228048 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 13 | SI03 (Back Stream), SI11 (Heavenly Gathering), BL10 (Celestial Pillar), GB20 (Wind Pool), GB21 (Shoulder Well) | – | – | doi:10.3233/THC-228048 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 14 | SI14 (Outer Shoulder Point), BL10 (Celestial Pillar), BL42 (Door Of The Corporeal Soul), GB21 (Shoulder Well) | – | – | doi:10.3390/medicina59122141 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 15 | LI04 (Junction Valley), LI10 (Arm Three Miles), LI11 (Pond At The Bend), ST25 (Celestial Pivot), ST37 (Upper Great Hollow), SP06 (Three Yin Intersection), SP09 (Yin Mound Spring), BL40 (Middle Of The Crease), BL57 (Mountain Support), GB19 (Brain Hollow), GB34 (Yang Mound Spring), GB39 (Suspended Bell), LV03 (Great Surge), CV04 (Original Qi Gate), GV04 (Life Gate), GV08 (Sinew Contraction), GV14 (Great Vertebra), GV17 (Brain Door), GV19 (Behind The Vertex), GV20 (100 Convergences), GV21 (Before The Vertex), GV24 (Spirit Court) | – | – | doi:10.3389/fneur.2023.1330054 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 16 | LI11 (Pond At The Bend), BL10 (Celestial Pillar), TB05 (Outer Gate), GB20 (Wind Pool) | – | – | doi:10.3389/fmed.2025.1701076 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 17 | LI04 (Junction Valley), LI05 (Yang Stream), LI17 (Celestial Tripod), LI18 (Beside The Prominence), SI03 (Back Stream), SI14 (Outer Shoulder Point), SI15 (Middle Shoulder Point), SI16 (Celestial Windows), BL10 (Celestial Pillar), BL11 (Great Shuttle), BL60 (Kunlun (Mountains)), TB03 (Central Islet), TB10 (Heavenly Well), TB16 (Window Of Heaven), GB20 (Wind Pool), GB21 (Shoulder Well), GB39 (Suspended Bell), GV14 (Great Vertebra), GV16 (Wind Mansion) | – | – | doi:10.1016/j.imr.2018.01.002 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 18 | SI15 (Middle Shoulder Point), TB16 (Window Of Heaven), GB20 (Wind Pool), GB21 (Shoulder Well) | – | – | doi:10.1016/j.imr.2018.01.002 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 19 | GB06 (Suspended Tuft), GB20 (Wind Pool) | – | – | doi:10.1016/j.imr.2018.01.002 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 20 | LI11 (Pond At The Bend), BL10 (Celestial Pillar), TB05 (Outer Gate), GB20 (Wind Pool) | – | – | doi:10.3389/fmed.2025.1701076 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 21 | BL13 (Lung Shu Point), BL15 (Heart Shu Point), BL18 (Liver Shu Point), BL20 (Spleen Shu Point), BL23 (Kidney Shu Point), BL25 (Large Intestine Shu Point), GV14 (Great Vertebra), XB02C4 (Hua Tuo's Para-Vertebral Point - C4), XB02C5 (Hua Tuo's Para-Vertebral Point - C5), XB02C6 (Hua Tuo's Para-Vertebral Point - C6) | – | – | doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20241203-k0004 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 22 | SI14 (Outer Shoulder Point), BL10 (Celestial Pillar), BL42 (Door Of The Corporeal Soul), GB21 (Shoulder Well) | – | – | doi:10.3390/medicina59122141 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 23 | LI11 (Pond At The Bend), BL10 (Celestial Pillar), TB05 (Outer Gate), GB20 (Wind Pool), XB02C3 (Hua Tuo's Para-Vertebral Point - C3), XB02C7 (Hua Tuo's Para-Vertebral Point - C7) | – | – | doi:10.3389/fmed.2025.1701076 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 24 | SI03 (Back Stream), BL10 (Celestial Pillar), GB20 (Wind Pool), GB21 (Shoulder Well), GV14 (Great Vertebra), GV16 (Wind Mansion), XB02C4 (Hua Tuo's Para-Vertebral Point - C4), XB02C5 (Hua Tuo's Para-Vertebral Point - C5), XB02C6 (Hua Tuo's Para-Vertebral Point - C6) | – | – | Cao Li et al.. [Efficacy comparison between needle-knife therapy and acupuncture-cupping for cervical spondylosis of cervical type].. Zhongguo zhen jiu = Chinese acupuncture & moxibustion, 2014 | text | Point selection recorded in a clinical text or case report. |
| 25 | SI03 (Back Stream) | – | – | doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2014-006236 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 26 | GB21 (Shoulder Well) | – | – | doi:10.3389/fmed.2025.1701076 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 27 | SI11 (Heavenly Gathering) | – | – | doi:10.1016/j.imr.2018.01.002 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 28 | SI03 (Back Stream) | – | – | doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20231206-k0007 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 29 | GB20 (Wind Pool) | – | – | 卜彦青杜广中. 颈椎病现代针灸的腧穴谱. 医学与哲学(临床决策论坛版) ., 2007 [CNKI] | text | Point selection recorded in a clinical text or case report. |

## Point locations

| Point | Name | Meridian | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| SI14 | Outer Shoulder Point | Small Intestine Meridian | 3 thumb widths lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the 1st thoracic vertebra where GV13 is located. |
| SI15 | Middle Shoulder Point | Small Intestine Meridian | 2 thumb widths lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the 7th cervical vertebra (GV14). |
| GB21 | Shoulder Well | Gallbladder Meridian | On the shoulder directly above the nipple at the midpoint of the line connecting GV14 and acromion the at the highest point of the shoulder. |
| 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. |
| LI10 | Arm Three Miles | Large Intestine Meridian | On the line joining LI05 and LI11, 2 thumb widths below cubital crease. |
| 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. |
| TB03 | Central Islet | Triple Burner Meridian | When fist is clenched point is on the dorsum of the hand between 4th and 5th metacarpal bones in the depression the proximal to the 4th metacarpophalangeal joint. |
| GV14 | Great Vertebra | Governing Vessel | Below spinous process of the 7th cervical vertebra approximately at the level of the shoulders. |
| 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. |
| SI04 | Wrist Bone | Small Intestine Meridian | On the ulnar side of the palm in the depression the between base of the 5th metacarpal bone and hamate bone. |
| SI09 | True Shoulder | Small Intestine Meridian | Posterior and inferior to the shoulder joint; when arm is adducted point is 1 thumb width above the posterior end of the axillary fold. |
| SI10 | Upper Arm Shu Point | Small Intestine Meridian | When arm is adducted, point is directly above the posterior end of the axillary fold in the depression the inferior to the scapular spine. |
| SI11 | Heavenly Gathering | Small Intestine Meridian | On the scapula in the depression of the center of the subscapular fossa and at the level of the 4th thoracic vertebra. |
| SI12 | Grasping The Wind | Small Intestine Meridian | In the center of the suprascapular fossa directly above the SI11; when arm is lifted point is at the site of the depression. |
| BL11 | Great Shuttle | Bladder Meridian | 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the GV13 at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 1st thoracic vertebra. |
| BL12 | Wind Gate | Bladder Meridian | 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the du mai at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 2nd thoracic vertebra. |
| BL65 | Restraining Bone | Bladder Meridian | Posterior to the 5th metatarsophalangeal joint at the junction of the red and white skin. |
| TB14 | Shoulder Bone Hole | Triple Burner Meridian | On the shoulder posterior to the LI15 in the depression the inferior and posterior to the acromion the when arm is abducted. |
| TB15 | Heavenly Bone Hole | Triple Burner Meridian | Midway between GB21 and SI13 on the superior angle of the scapula. |
| TB16 | Window Of Heaven | Triple Burner Meridian | On the lateral side of the neck directly below posterior border of the mastoid process on the level of the mandibular angle and on the posterior border of the scm. |
| TB17 | Hurricane | Triple Burner Meridian | Posterior to the lobule of the ear in the depression the between mandible and mastoid process. |
| BL10 | Celestial Pillar | Bladder Meridian | 1.3 thumb widths lateral to the midpoint of the posterior hairline and in the depression on the lateral aspect of the trapezius. |
| BL42 | Door Of The Corporeal Soul | Bladder Meridian | 3 thumb widths lateral to the du mai at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 3rd thoracic vertebra on the spinal border of the scapula. |
| 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. |
| HT07 | Spirit Gate | Heart Meridian | At the ulnar end of the transverse crease of the wrist in the depression on the radial side of the tendon of the flexor carpi ulnaris. |
| PC06 | Inner Gate | Pericardium Meridian | 2 thumb widths above the transverse crease of the wrist between tendons of the palmaris longus and flexor carpi radialis. |
| GB20 | Wind Pool | Gallbladder Meridian | In the depression the between upper portion of the scm and trapezius on the same level with GV16. |
| GB34 | Yang Mound Spring | Gallbladder Meridian | In the depression the anterior and inferior to the head of the fibula. |
| GB39 | Suspended Bell | Gallbladder Meridian | 3 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. |
| CV14 | Great Palace Gate | Conception Vessel | On the anterior midline 6 thumb widths above the umbilicus. |
| GV16 | Wind Mansion | Governing Vessel | 1 thumb width directly above the midpoint of the posterior hairline directly below external occipital protuberance in the depression the between trapezius of the both sides. |
| ST24 | Slippery Flesh Gate | Stomach Meridian | 1 thumb width above the umbilicus 2 thumb widths lateral to the CV09. |
| KD17 | Shang Bend | Kidney Meridian | 2 thumb widths above the umbilicus 0.5 thumb widths lateral to the CV10. |
| CV04 | Original Qi Gate | Conception Vessel | On the anterior midline 3 thumb widths below umbilicus. |
| CV12 | Stomach Centre | Conception Vessel | On the anterior midline 4 thumb widths above the umbilicus. |
| GB12 | Mastoid Process | Gallbladder Meridian | In the depression the posterior and inferior to the mastoid process. |
| GV15 | Gate Of Muteness | Governing Vessel | 0.5 thumb widths directly above the midpoint of the posterior hairline in the depression the below spinous process of the 1st cervical vertebra. |
| ST25 | Celestial Pivot | Stomach Meridian | 2 thumb widths lateral to the center of the umbilicus. |
| ST37 | Upper Great Hollow | Stomach Meridian | 6 thumb widths below ST35, 1 finger breadth (middle finger) from anterior border of the tibia. |
| 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. |
| BL40 | Middle Of The Crease | Bladder Meridian | Midpoint of the transverse crease of the popliteal fossa between tendons of the biceps femoris and semitendinosus. |
| 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. |
| GB19 | Brain Hollow | Gallbladder Meridian | On the head and on the level of the upper border of the external occipital protuberance or GV17, 22.5 thumb widths lateral to the midline of the head. |
| 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. |
| GV04 | Life Gate | Governing Vessel | Below spinous process of the 2nd lumbar vertebra. |
| GV08 | Sinew Contraction | Governing Vessel | Below spinous process of the 9th thoracic vertebra. |
| GV17 | Brain Door | Governing Vessel | 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. |
| GV19 | Behind The Vertex | Governing Vessel | 5.5 thumb widths directly above the midpoint of the posterior hairline 1.5 thumb widths directly above the GV18. |
| 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. |
| GV21 | Before The Vertex | Governing Vessel | 3.5 thumb widths directly above the midpoint of the anterior hairline 1.5 thumb widths anterior to the GV20. |
| GV24 | Spirit Court | Governing Vessel | 0.5 thumb widths directly above the midpoint of the anterior hairline. |
| 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. |
| LI17 | Celestial Tripod | Large Intestine Meridian | On the lateral side of the neck at the posterior border of the scm muscle beside laryngeal protuberance at the midpoint of the line connecting LI18 and ST12. |
| LI18 | Beside The Prominence | Large Intestine Meridian | On the lateral side of the neck, level with tip of the adam's apple between sternal and clavicular heads of the scm muscle. |
| SI16 | Celestial Windows | Small Intestine Meridian | In the lateral aspect of the neck posterior to the scm and LI18 on the level of the laryngeal protuberance. |
| BL60 | Kunlun (Mountains) | Bladder Meridian | In the depression the between tip of the external malleolus and achilles tendon. |
| TB10 | Heavenly Well | Triple Burner Meridian | When elbow is flexed point is in the depression the about 1 thumb width superior to the olecranon. |
| GB06 | Suspended Tuft | Gallbladder Meridian | Within the hairline at the junction of the lower ¼ and upper ¾ of the distance between ST08 and GB07. |
| BL13 | Lung Shu Point | Bladder Meridian | 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the GV12 at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 3rd thoracic vertebra. |
| BL15 | Heart Shu Point | Bladder Meridian | 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the GV11 at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 5th thoracic 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| XB02C4 | Hua Tuo's Para-Vertebral Point - C4 | Extra Points: Back | 0.5 - 1 thumb width lateral to the depressions below the spinous processes of the fourth cervical vertebra. |
| XB02C5 | Hua Tuo's Para-Vertebral Point - C5 | Extra Points: Back | 0.5 - 1 thumb width lateral to the depressions below the spinous processes of the fifth cervical vertebra. |
| XB02C6 | Hua Tuo's Para-Vertebral Point - C6 | Extra Points: Back | 0.5 - 1 thumb width lateral to the depressions below the spinous processes of the sixth cervical vertebra. |
| XB02C3 | Hua Tuo's Para-Vertebral Point - C3 | Extra Points: Back | 0.5 - 1 thumb width lateral to the depressions below the spinous processes of the third cervical vertebra. |
| XB02C7 | Hua Tuo's Para-Vertebral Point - C7 | Extra Points: Back | 0.5 - 1 thumb width lateral to the depressions below the spinous processes of the seventh cervical vertebra. |

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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