Acupuncture Points for Surgical Pain

4 sourced protocols, each with its citation.

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Points cited for Surgical Pain

How often each point appears across the 4 entries ranked highest for Surgical Pain. Citation frequency, not a recommendation.

  • LI04Junction ValleyLarge Intestine Meridian2 of 4
  • AT05ForeheadAuricular Points1 of 4
  • CVC02LungAuricular Points1 of 4
  • GV20100 ConvergencesGoverning Vessel1 of 4
  • IAC01HipAuricular Points1 of 4
  • LI14Upper Arm ProminenceLarge Intestine Meridian1 of 4
  • PC06Inner GatePericardium Meridian1 of 4
  • ST36Leg Three MilesStomach Meridian1 of 4
  • TB14Shoulder Bone HoleTriple Burner Meridian1 of 4
  • TF10ShenmenAuricular Points1 of 4

Each card names its evidence kind. What these labels mean

Protocol (2 points)

100%

LI04 · ST36

Point 1 of 2

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

Study-reported

Needling

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1093/ecam/nem056 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI04 also appears in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.24247/ijmpsoct20186 ↗

Protocol (4 points)

100%

LI04 · LI14 · PC06 · TB14

Point 1 of 4

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

Study-reported

Electroacupuncture · 1 session

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.24247/ijmpsoct20186 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI04 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/nem056 ↗

Protocol (4 points)

100%

AT05 · CVC02 · IAC01 · TF10

Point 1 of 4

AT05Forehead

AT05 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

🗺️ Meridian: Auricular Points

🇨🇳 Chinese: 額 (é)

🎯 Location: On both ears, at the midpoint of the lower half lateral line of the Exterior Antitragus.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Dizziness, Poor Vision, Fuzziness Of The Brain, Frontal Headache

Study-reported

Press needles

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.3727/036012906815844265 ↗
Not corroborated. No other study in the index uses any of these points for this search.

Single-point entry

90%

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

Text or case report

Point selection recorded in a clinical text or case report.

Scallan Elizabeth M et al.. The analgesic and sedative effects of GV20 pharmacopuncture with low-dose hydromorphone in healthy dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy.. The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne, 2021
Not substantiated. Studies in the index cover this search, and none of their protocols use any of these points.
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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.

  • Needling1 of 3
  • Electroacupuncture1 of 3
  • Press needles1 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.