AcuiQ

Acupuncture Points for Whiplash Injury

7 sourced protocols, each with its citation.

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Related symptoms

Often treated alongside Whiplash Injury:

Neck PainCervical Spine PainHeadache Tension-typeMuscle Spasm CervicalLow Back PainLumbar Pain

Points cited for Whiplash Injury

How often each point appears across the 7 entries ranked highest for Whiplash Injury. Citation frequency, not a recommendation.

  • GB21Shoulder WellGallbladder Meridian6 of 7
  • GB20Wind PoolGallbladder Meridian4 of 7
  • SI15Middle Shoulder PointSmall Intestine Meridian3 of 7
  • GV14Great VertebraGoverning Vessel2 of 7
  • GV16Wind MansionGoverning Vessel2 of 7
  • SI14Outer Shoulder PointSmall Intestine Meridian2 of 7
  • BL10Celestial PillarBladder Meridian1 of 7
  • BL23Kidney Shu PointBladder Meridian1 of 7
  • BL25Large Intestine Shu PointBladder Meridian1 of 7
  • GV03Yang Lumbar GateGoverning Vessel1 of 7
  • GV04Life GateGoverning Vessel1 of 7
  • GV15Gate Of MutenessGoverning Vessel1 of 7

Each card names its evidence kind. What these labels mean

Protocol (8 points)

100%

SI11 · SI13 · SI14 · SI15 · TB14 · GB20 · GB21 · GV16

Neck PainCervical Spine PainWhiplash Injury
Point 1 of 8

SI11Heavenly Gathering

SI11 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Small Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 天宗 (tiān zōng)

🎯 Location: On the scapula in the depression of the center of the subscapular fossa and at the level of the 4th thoracic vertebra.

⚠️ Cautions: Rule out fracture, dislocation and joint instability before needling, and do not needle into an acutely swollen joint or a haemarthrosis.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Qi Stagnation, Chest Fullness, Elbow Pain, Shoulder Blade Pain

Study-reported

Point injection · 8 sessions over 4 weeks

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.3831/KPI.2020.23.4.262 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. SI14, GB21 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.3390/jcm13154457 ↗

Protocol (3 points)

100%

SI15 · GB20 · GB21

Neck PainCervical Spine PainWhiplash Injury
Point 1 of 3

SI15Middle Shoulder Point

SI15 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Small Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 肩中俞 (jiān zhōng yú)

🎯 Location: 2 thumb widths lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the 7th cervical vertebra (GV14).

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep perpendicular needling; risk of pneumothorax.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Fever, Shoulder Blade Pain, Shoulder Pain, Pain

Study-reported

Point injection

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.3831/KPI.2020.23.4.262 ↗
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:10.3390/jcm13154457 ↗

Protocol (3 points)

100%

GB20 · GB21 · GV14

Neck PainWhiplash Injury
Point 1 of 3

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

Study-reported

Point injection

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.3831/KPI.2020.23.4.262 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. GB21, GV14 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.3390/jcm13154457 ↗

Protocol (4 points)

100%

SI15 · GB20 · GB21 · GV16

Neck PainWhiplash InjuryMuscle Spasm Cervical
Point 1 of 4

SI15Middle Shoulder Point

SI15 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Small Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 肩中俞 (jiān zhōng yú)

🎯 Location: 2 thumb widths lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the 7th cervical vertebra (GV14).

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep perpendicular needling; risk of pneumothorax.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Fever, Shoulder Blade Pain, Shoulder Pain, Pain

Study-reported

Point injection

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.3831/KPI.2020.23.4.262 ↗
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:10.3390/jcm13154457 ↗

Protocol (4 points)

100%

SI14 · GB21 · GV14 · GV20

Neck PainHeadache Tension-typeWhiplash InjuryWhiplash
Point 1 of 4

SI14Outer Shoulder Point

SI14 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Small Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 肩外俞 (jiān wài yú)

🎯 Location: 3 thumb widths lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the 1st thoracic vertebra where GV13 is located.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep perpendicular needling; risk of pneumothorax.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Wind, Shoulder Blade Pain, Shoulder Pain, Pain

Study-reported

Needling

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.3390/jcm13154457 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. SI14, GB21 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.3831/KPI.2020.23.4.262 ↗

Protocol (3 points)

100%

BL10 · GB21 · GV15

Neck PainNeck Acute PainWhiplash Injury
Point 1 of 3

BL10Celestial Pillar

BL10 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 天柱 (tiān zhù)

🎯 Location: 1.3 thumb widths lateral to the midpoint of the posterior hairline and in the depression on the lateral aspect of the trapezius.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution with vertebral artery.

🛡️ Treats: Dizziness, Wind, Pain, Epilepsy, Nasal Congestion

Study-reported

Needling + Electroacupuncture

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.3389/fmed.2025.1684034 ↗
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:10.3831/KPI.2020.23.4.262 ↗
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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.

  • Needling2 of 3
  • Point injection1 of 3
  • Electroacupuncture1 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.