Acupuncture Points for Widespread Pain

7 sourced protocols, each with its citation.

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Related symptoms

Often treated alongside Widespread Pain:

Points cited for Widespread Pain

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

  • LI04Junction ValleyLarge Intestine Meridian6 of 7
  • LV03Great SurgeLiver Meridian6 of 7
  • SP06Three Yin IntersectionSpleen Meridian5 of 7
  • ST36Leg Three MilesStomach Meridian4 of 7
  • GB34Yang Mound SpringGallbladder Meridian3 of 7
  • GV20100 ConvergencesGoverning Vessel3 of 7
  • BL18Liver Shu PointBladder Meridian2 of 7
  • BL20Spleen Shu PointBladder Meridian2 of 7
  • LI11Pond At The BendLarge Intestine Meridian2 of 7
  • BL15Heart Shu PointBladder Meridian1 of 7
  • BL17Diaphragm Shu PointBladder Meridian1 of 7
  • BL23Kidney Shu PointBladder Meridian1 of 7

Each card names its evidence kind. What these labels mean

Protocol (7 points)

100%

LI04 · SP06 · BL18 · BL20 · PC06 · GB34 · LV03

Point 1 of 7

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:10.1186/1745-6215-12-59 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI04, SP06, GB34, LV03 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1002/art.41620 ↗

Protocol (5 points)

100%

SI03 · SI04 · BL62 · BL64 · BL65

Point 1 of 5

SI03Back Stream

SI03 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Small Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 後谿 (hòu xī)

🎯 Location: When loose fist is made point is on the ulnar end of the distal palmar crease proximal to the 5th metacarpophalangeal joint at the end of the transverse crease and junction of the red and white skin.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Knee Pain, Tinnitus, Jaundice, Common Cold

Study-reported

Needling · 1 session

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1155/2019/9684649 ↗
Not corroborated. No other study in the index uses any of these points for this search.

Protocol (2 points)

100%

LI04 · LV03

Point 1 of 2

LI04Junction Valley

LI04 acupoint
Click to enlarge

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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

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1155/2020/2948292 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI04, LV03 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1186/1745-6215-12-59 ↗

Protocol (7 points)

100%

LI04 · LI11 · ST36 · SP06 · GB34 · LV03 · GV20

Point 1 of 7

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

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1002/art.41620 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI04, LI11, ST36, SP06, LV03, GV20 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1182/bloodadvances.2025016995 ↗

Protocol (7 points)

100%

LI04 · ST36 · SP06 · LV03 · CV06 · CV12 · GV20

Point 1 of 7

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 · 8 sessions over 8 weeks

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1155/2021/9991144 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI04, ST36, SP06, LV03, GV20 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1002/art.41620 ↗

Protocol (8 points)

100%

LI04 · LI11 · ST36 · SP06 · SP10 · LV03 · GV20 · GV24

Point 1 of 8

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

Acupressure · a 5-week course

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1182/bloodadvances.2025016995 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI04, LI11, ST36, SP06, LV03, GV20 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1002/art.41620 ↗
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How the studies delivered it

What the 6 studies behind the entries above ran, counted once per study. A record of the trials, not a recommendation.

  • Needling4 of 6
  • Electroacupuncture1 of 6
  • Acupressure1 of 6

Course: the 3 studies that gave a length ran a median of 5 weeks (middle half 18 days to 46 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.