Acupuncture Points for Upper Limb Pain

4 sourced protocols, each with its citation.

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Points cited for Upper Limb Pain

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

  • GB21Shoulder WellGallbladder Meridian3 of 4
  • LI04Junction ValleyLarge Intestine Meridian3 of 4
  • LI15Shoulder And ClavicleLarge Intestine Meridian3 of 4
  • BL60Kunlun (Mountains)Bladder Meridian2 of 4
  • CV03Central PivotConception Vessel2 of 4
  • KD07Returning FlowKidney Meridian2 of 4
  • LU05Cubit MarshLung Meridian2 of 4
  • LV03Great SurgeLiver Meridian2 of 4
  • SP09Yin Mound SpringSpleen Meridian2 of 4
  • ST36Leg Three MilesStomach Meridian2 of 4
  • ST38Ribbon OpeningStomach Meridian2 of 4
  • HT01Highest SpringHeart Meridian1 of 4

Each card names its evidence kind. What these labels mean

Protocol (6 points)

100%

LU02 · LI05 · HT01 · SI10 · SI11 · GB21

Point 1 of 6

LU02Cloud Gate

LU02 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Lung Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 雲門 (yún mén)

🎯 Location: In the superior lateral part of the anterior thoracic wall superior to the coracoid process of the scapula in the depression of the infraclavicular fossa 6 thumb widths lateral to the anterior midline.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep needling due to proximity to lungs and blood vessels; contraindicated in hemoptysis.

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

Study-reported

Point injection · 1 session

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1016/j.jams.2014.03.004 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. GB21 also appears in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.31557/APJCP.2025.26.3.809 ↗

Protocol (11 points)

100%

LU05 · LI04 · LI15 · ST36 · ST38 · SP09 · BL60 · KD07 · GB21 · LV03 · CV03

Point 1 of 11

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

Study-reported

Needling · 10 sessions over 10 weeks

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.31557/APJCP.2025.26.3.809 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI04, LI15 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1177/2164956119870444 ↗

Protocol (3 points)

100%

LI04 · LI11 · LI15

Point 1 of 3

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

Acupressure

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1177/2164956119870444 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI04, LI15 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.31557/APJCP.2025.26.3.809 ↗

Protocol (11 points)

100%

LU05 · LI04 · LI15 · ST36 · ST38 · SP09 · BL60 · KD07 · GB21 · LV03 · CV03

Point 1 of 11

LU05Cubit Marsh

LU05 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ 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

Study-reported

Acupressure · 10 sessions over 10 weeks

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.31557/APJCP.2025.26.3.809 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI04, LI15 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1177/2164956119870444 ↗
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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.

  • Point injection1 of 3
  • Needling1 of 3
  • Acupressure1 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.