Acupuncture Points for Swelling

5 sourced protocols, each with its citation.

AcuiQ posts on X about the papers it indexes. Follow @acu_iq

Related symptoms

Often treated alongside Swelling:

Points cited for Swelling

How often each point appears across the 44 entries ranked highest for Swelling. Citation frequency, not a recommendation.

  • ST36Leg Three MilesStomach Meridian21 of 44
  • SP09Yin Mound SpringSpleen Meridian19 of 44
  • SP10Sea Of BloodSpleen Meridian18 of 44
  • GB34Yang Mound SpringGallbladder Meridian16 of 44
  • ST34Ridge MoundStomach Meridian14 of 44
  • SP06Three Yin IntersectionSpleen Meridian12 of 44
  • LI04Junction ValleyLarge Intestine Meridian8 of 44
  • ST35Calf's NoseStomach Meridian8 of 44
  • BL23Kidney Shu PointBladder Meridian5 of 44
  • CV04Original Qi GateConception Vessel5 of 44
  • KD07Returning FlowKidney Meridian5 of 44
  • LV02Passing BetweenLiver Meridian5 of 44

Each card names its evidence kind. What these labels mean

Protocol (13 points)

100%

ST36 · SP06 · SP09 · GB34 · GB39 · XL10A · XL10B · XL10C · XL10D · XL10E · XL10F · XL10G · XL10H

Point 1 of 13

ST36Leg Three Miles

ST36 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Stomach Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 足三里 (zú sān lǐ)

🎯 Location: 3 thumb widths below ST35, 1 finger breadth (middle finger) from anterior border of the tibia.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution in cases of severe varicose veins.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Fever, Poor Appetite, Diarrhea, Shortness of Breath

SP06Three Yin Intersection

SP06 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Spleen Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 三陰交 (sān yīn jiāo)

🎯 Location: 3 thumb widths directly above the tip of the medial malleolus posterior to the medial border of the tibia.

⚠️ 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: Diarrhea, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Palpitations, 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

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

GB39Suspended Bell

GB39 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Gallbladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 懸鐘 (xuán zhōng)

🎯 Location: 3 thumb widths above the tip of the external malleolus on the anterior border of the fibula.

⚠️ Cautions: Contraindicated during pregnancy.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Anxiety, Knee Pain, Dizziness, Heat

XL10AEight Winds

XL10A acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Extra Points: Lower limbs

🇨🇳 Chinese: 八風 (bā fēng)

🎯 Location: On the dorsum of the foot, between the toes, 0.5 thumb widths proximal to the margin of the web. these points include xingjian liv-2, neiting st-44 & xiaxi gb-43.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid in patients with bleeding disorders.

🛡️ Treats: Heat, Redness, Swelling, Malaria, Headache

XL10BEight Winds

XL10B acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Extra Points: Lower limbs

🇨🇳 Chinese: 八風 (bā fēng)

🎯 Location: On the dorsum of the foot, between the toes, 0.5 thumb widths proximal to the margin of the web. these points include xingjian liv-2, neiting st-44 & xiaxi gb-44.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid in patients with bleeding disorders.

🛡️ Treats: Heat, Redness, Swelling, Malaria, Headache

XL10CEight Winds

XL10C acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Extra Points: Lower limbs

🇨🇳 Chinese: 八風 (bā fēng)

🎯 Location: On the dorsum of the foot, between the toes, 0.5 thumb widths proximal to the margin of the web. these points include xingjian liv-2, neiting st-44 & xiaxi gb-45.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid in patients with bleeding disorders.

🛡️ Treats: Heat, Redness, Swelling, Malaria, Headache

XL10DEight Winds

XL10D acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Extra Points: Lower limbs

🇨🇳 Chinese: 八風 (bā fēng)

🎯 Location: On the dorsum of the foot, between the toes, 0.5 thumb widths proximal to the margin of the web. these points include xingjian liv-2, neiting st-44 & xiaxi gb-46.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid in patients with bleeding disorders.

🛡️ Treats: Heat, Redness, Swelling, Malaria, Headache

XL10EEight Winds

XL10E acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Extra Points: Lower limbs

🇨🇳 Chinese: 八風 (bā fēng)

🎯 Location: On the dorsum of the foot, between the toes, 0.5 thumb widths proximal to the margin of the web. these points include xingjian liv-2, neiting st-44 & xiaxi gb-47.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid in patients with bleeding disorders.

🛡️ Treats: Heat, Redness, Swelling, Malaria, Headache

XL10FEight Winds

XL10F acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Extra Points: Lower limbs

🇨🇳 Chinese: 八風 (bā fēng)

🎯 Location: On the dorsum of the foot, between the toes, 0.5 thumb widths proximal to the margin of the web. these points include xingjian liv-2, neiting st-44 & xiaxi gb-48.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid in patients with bleeding disorders.

🛡️ Treats: Heat, Redness, Swelling, Malaria, Headache

XL10GEight Winds

XL10G acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Extra Points: Lower limbs

🇨🇳 Chinese: 八風 (bā fēng)

🎯 Location: On the dorsum of the foot, between the toes, 0.5 thumb widths proximal to the margin of the web. these points include xingjian liv-2, neiting st-44 & xiaxi gb-49.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid in patients with bleeding disorders.

🛡️ Treats: Heat, Redness, Swelling, Malaria, Headache

XL10HEight Winds

XL10H acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Extra Points: Lower limbs

🇨🇳 Chinese: 八風 (bā fēng)

🎯 Location: On the dorsum of the foot, between the toes, 0.5 thumb widths proximal to the margin of the web. these points include xingjian liv-2, neiting st-44 & xiaxi gb-50.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid in patients with bleeding disorders.

🛡️ Treats: Heat, Redness, Swelling, Malaria, Headache

Study-reported

Needling + Bloodletting · a 3-week course

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20240425-k0001 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. ST36, SP06, SP09, GB34 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1016/j.ijscr.2022.107600 ↗

Protocol (5 points)

100%

ST34 · ST36 · ST40 · SP08 · SP10

Point 1 of 5

ST34Ridge Mound

ST34 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Stomach Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 梁丘 (liáng qiū)

🎯 Location: When knee is flexed point is 2 thumb widths above the laterosuperior border of the patella.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution with depth.

🛡️ Treats: Knee Pain, Wind, Numbness, Leg Pain, Pain

ST36Leg Three Miles

ST36 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Stomach Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 足三里 (zú sān lǐ)

🎯 Location: 3 thumb widths below ST35, 1 finger breadth (middle finger) from anterior border of the tibia.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution in cases of severe varicose veins.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Fever, Poor Appetite, Diarrhea, Shortness of Breath

ST40Abundant Bulge

ST40 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Stomach Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 豐隆 (fēng lóng)

🎯 Location: 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.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Chest Pain, Shortness of Breath, Phlegm, Asthma

SP08Earth'S Cure

SP08 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Spleen Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 地機 (dì jī)

🎯 Location: 3 thumb widths below SP09 on the line connecting tip of the medial malleolus and SP09.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Poor Appetite, Diarrhea, Abdominal Bloating, Abdominal Pain, Blood Stagnation

SP10Sea Of Blood

SP10 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Spleen Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 血海 (xuè hǎi)

🎯 Location: 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.

⚠️ Cautions: Anticoagulant therapy or a coagulopathy raises the risk of haematoma at the needling site – apply prolonged pressure on withdrawal. The precaution governs technique; bleeding disorders remain a treatable indication.

🛡️ Treats: Knee Pain, Absent Periods, Blood Stagnation, Pain, Hives

Study-reported

Herbal plaster on points

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1155/2022/2196782 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. ST36, SP08, SP10 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1016/j.ijscr.2022.107600 ↗

Protocol (6 points)

100%

ST36 · SP06 · SP08 · SP09 · SP10 · GB34

Point 1 of 6

ST36Leg Three Miles

ST36 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Stomach Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 足三里 (zú sān lǐ)

🎯 Location: 3 thumb widths below ST35, 1 finger breadth (middle finger) from anterior border of the tibia.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution in cases of severe varicose veins.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Fever, Poor Appetite, Diarrhea, Shortness of Breath

SP06Three Yin Intersection

SP06 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Spleen Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 三陰交 (sān yīn jiāo)

🎯 Location: 3 thumb widths directly above the tip of the medial malleolus posterior to the medial border of the tibia.

⚠️ 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: Diarrhea, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Palpitations, Abdominal Bloating

SP08Earth'S Cure

SP08 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Spleen Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 地機 (dì jī)

🎯 Location: 3 thumb widths below SP09 on the line connecting tip of the medial malleolus and SP09.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Poor Appetite, Diarrhea, Abdominal Bloating, Abdominal Pain, Blood Stagnation

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

SP10Sea Of Blood

SP10 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Spleen Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 血海 (xuè hǎi)

🎯 Location: 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.

⚠️ Cautions: Anticoagulant therapy or a coagulopathy raises the risk of haematoma at the needling site – apply prolonged pressure on withdrawal. The precaution governs technique; bleeding disorders remain a treatable indication.

🛡️ Treats: Knee Pain, Absent Periods, Blood Stagnation, Pain, Hives

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

Electroacupuncture · 7 sessions over 7 days

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1016/j.ijscr.2022.107600 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. ST36, SP06, SP09, SP10, GB34 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1016/s0254-6272(12)60010-7 ↗

Protocol (2 points)

70%

LI11 · GV14

Point 1 of 2

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

GV14Great Vertebra

GV14 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Governing Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 大椎 (dà zhuī)

🎯 Location: Below spinous process of the 7th cervical vertebra approximately at the level of the shoulders.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution with C7 vertebra.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Shortness of Breath, Weakness, Heat, Chest Fullness

Website

Point selection published on a website. Not peer-reviewed – check it before relying on it.

sacredlotus.com ↗
Substantiated by a study. LI11 also appears in a study-reported protocol for the same search. That study did not test this prescription. doi:10.13057/smj.v3i1.39378 ↗

Protocol (5 points)

70%

LI04 · BL01 · GB20 · LV02 · XH05

Point 1 of 5

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

BL01Bright Eyes / Eye Point

BL01 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 睛明 (jīng míng)

🎯 Location: In the depression the slightly above the inner canthus.

⚠️ Cautions: Contraindicated for direct needling; use only pressure.

🛡️ Treats: Heat, Wind, Redness, Swelling, Aversion Cold

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

LV02Passing Between

LV02 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Liver Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 行間 (xíng jiān)

🎯 Location: On the dorsum of the foot between 1st and 2nd toe proximal to the margin of the web at the junction of the red and white skin.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Chest Pain, Diarrhea, Anxiety, Dizziness, Coughing Blood

XH05Supreme Yang (Sun)

XH05 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Extra Points: Head

🇨🇳 Chinese: 太陽 (tài yáng)

🎯 Location: At the temple, in the tender depression the approximately 1 thumb width posterior to the midpoint between the lateral extremity of the eyebrow & the outer canthus of the eye.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution with temporal artery.

🛡️ Treats: Dizziness, Heat, Wind, Swelling, Pain

Website

Point selection published on a website. Not peer-reviewed – check it before relying on it.

sacredlotus.com ↗
Substantiated by a study. LI04 also appears in a study-reported protocol for the same search. That study did not test this prescription. doi:10.13057/smj.v3i1.39378 ↗

Protocol (6 points)

70%

LI04 · BL01 · GB20 · LV02 · LV03 · XH05

Point 1 of 6

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

BL01Bright Eyes / Eye Point

BL01 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 睛明 (jīng míng)

🎯 Location: In the depression the slightly above the inner canthus.

⚠️ Cautions: Contraindicated for direct needling; use only pressure.

🛡️ Treats: Heat, Wind, Redness, Swelling, Aversion Cold

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

LV02Passing Between

LV02 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Liver Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 行間 (xíng jiān)

🎯 Location: On the dorsum of the foot between 1st and 2nd toe proximal to the margin of the web at the junction of the red and white skin.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Chest Pain, Diarrhea, Anxiety, Dizziness, Coughing Blood

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

XH05Supreme Yang (Sun)

XH05 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Extra Points: Head

🇨🇳 Chinese: 太陽 (tài yáng)

🎯 Location: At the temple, in the tender depression the approximately 1 thumb width posterior to the midpoint between the lateral extremity of the eyebrow & the outer canthus of the eye.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution with temporal artery.

🛡️ Treats: Dizziness, Heat, Wind, Swelling, Pain

Website

Point selection published on a website. Not peer-reviewed – check it before relying on it.

sacredlotus.com ↗
Substantiated by a study. LI04 also appears in a study-reported protocol for the same search. That study did not test this prescription. doi:10.13057/smj.v3i1.39378 ↗
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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.

  • Needling7 of 27
  • Electroacupuncture5 of 27
  • Moxibustion5 of 27
  • Acupressure4 of 27
  • Bloodletting1 of 27
  • Herbal plaster on points1 of 27
  • Thread embedding1 of 27
  • Laser1 of 27
  • Point injection1 of 27

Sessions: the 8 studies that gave a count ran a median of 8 (middle half 5 to 14).

Course: the 12 studies that gave a length ran a median of 18 days (middle half 7 days to 29 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.