Acupuncture Points for Upper Limb Weakness

15 sourced protocols, each with its citation.

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

Related symptoms

Often treated alongside Upper Limb Weakness:

Points cited for Upper Limb Weakness

How often each point appears across the 15 entries ranked highest for Upper Limb Weakness. Citation frequency, not a recommendation.

  • LI04Junction ValleyLarge Intestine Meridian13 of 15
  • LI11Pond At The BendLarge Intestine Meridian10 of 15
  • LI15Shoulder And ClavicleLarge Intestine Meridian9 of 15
  • LI10Arm Three MilesLarge Intestine Meridian8 of 15
  • PC06Inner GatePericardium Meridian6 of 15
  • TB05Outer GateTriple Burner Meridian6 of 15
  • SP06Three Yin IntersectionSpleen Meridian5 of 15
  • ST36Leg Three MilesStomach Meridian5 of 15
  • LV03Great SurgeLiver Meridian4 of 15
  • GB20Wind PoolGallbladder Meridian3 of 15
  • GB21Shoulder WellGallbladder Meridian3 of 15
  • GB34Yang Mound SpringGallbladder Meridian3 of 15

Each card names its evidence kind. What these labels mean

Protocol (18 points)

100%

LI04 · LI10 · LI11 · LI15 · ST25 · ST31 · ST36 · ST40 · SP06 · SP10 · SP15 · TB06 · GB34 · LV03 · CV04 · CV06 · CV10 · CV12

Point 1 of 18

LI04Junction Valley

LI04 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ 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 · a 8-week course

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2015-010073 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI04, LI10, LI11, LI15, ST36, SP06, GB34, CV04, CV06, CV12 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1155/2022/6541600 ↗

Protocol (3 points)

100%

LI04 · LI10 · LI11

Point 1 of 3

LI04Junction Valley

LI04 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ 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:10.1155/2021/6641506 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI04, LI10, LI11 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2015-010073 ↗

Protocol (5 points)

100%

LU02 · BL10 · GB12 · GB20 · GV16

Point 1 of 5

LU02Cloud Gate

LU02 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ 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

Needling

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000026151 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. GB20 also appears in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1155/2022/6541600 ↗

Protocol (22 points)

100%

LI04 · LI10 · LI11 · LI15 · ST32 · ST36 · ST41 · SP06 · BL18 · BL20 · BL23 · KD03 · PC06 · TB05 · GB20 · GB34 · CV04 · CV06 · CV12 · CV23 · GV14 · GV20

Point 1 of 22

LI04Junction Valley

LI04 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ 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

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1155/2022/6541600 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI04, LI10, LI11, LI15, ST36, SP06, GB34, CV04, CV06, CV12 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2015-010073 ↗

Protocol (5 points)

100%

LI04 · LI14 · LI15 · TB05 · TB14

Point 1 of 5

LI04Junction Valley

LI04 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ 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 + Electroacupuncture · 45 sessions over 90 days

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.3389/fneur.2024.1342844 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI04, LI14, LI15, TB05, TB14 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1177/2515690X251317438 ↗

Protocol (19 points)

100%

LU05 · LI04 · LI10 · LI11 · LI14 · LI15 · ST34 · ST36 · ST37 · ST39 · SP06 · SP09 · SP10 · HT01 · KD03 · PC06 · GB20 · GB34 · LV03

Point 1 of 19

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

Needling

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.12659/AJCR.945539 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI04, LI10, LI11, LI15, ST36, SP06, KD03, PC06, GB20, GB34 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1155/2022/6541600 ↗
Hot Spots™ Press Needles
Sterile 1.5mm press needles on 3M backing tape · 100 per box
$19.99
per box · choose the quantity at checkout
AcuiQ Self-Treatment Guide
Acupressure you can do at home, every protocol traced to a trial. – $12.99, free updates for life

How the studies delivered it

What the 12 studies behind the entries above ran, counted once per study. A record of the trials, not a recommendation.

  • Needling8 of 12
  • Electroacupuncture4 of 12

Sessions: the 5 studies that gave a count ran a median of 10 (middle half 3 to 45).

Course: the 8 studies that gave a length ran a median of 11 weeks (middle half 44 days to 15 weeks).

After a treatment: what large safety surveys recorded, and which reactions need a doctor.

Disclaimer: The acupoint information provided is for educational purposes only.