🎯 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.
🎯 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.
🎯 Location: When palm faces upward point is on the radial side of the tendon of the flexor carpi ulnaris, 1 thumb width above the transverse crease of the wrist.
🎯 Location: On the midline of the head 5 thumb widths directly above the midpoint of the anterior hairline approximately on the midpoint of the line connecting apex of the ears.
Corroborated by a second study. LI04, ST40, HT05, GB12, GB20, CV23, GV20 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.16808/j.cnki.issn1003-7705.2018.01.067 ↗
🎯 Location: In the depression the between tip of the external malleolus and achilles tendon.
⚠️ 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.
🎯 Location: Posterior and inferior to the medial condyle of the tibia in the upper portion of the medial head of the gastrocnemius 1 thumb width posterior to the SP09.
Corroborated by a second study. ST32, BL60 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(08)60042-4 ↗
🎯 Location: Superior to the styloid process of the radius 1.5 thumb widths above the transverse crease of the wrist between brachioradialis and tendon of the abductor policis longus.
⚠️ Cautions: Use with caution in patients with radial nerve sensitivity.
🎯 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.
Substantiated by a study. BL12, BL13, GV14 also appear in a study-reported protocol for the same search. That study did not test this prescription. doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20191231-k0002 ↗
🎯 Location: Superior to the styloid process of the radius 1.5 thumb widths above the transverse crease of the wrist between brachioradialis and tendon of the abductor policis longus.
⚠️ Cautions: Use with caution in patients with radial nerve sensitivity.
🎯 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.
🎯 Location: 3 thumb widths lateral to the du mai at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 4th thoracic vertebra on the spinal border of the scapula.
⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep perpendicular needling due to risk of pneumothorax.
Substantiated by a study. BL12, BL13, GV14 also appear in a study-reported protocol for the same search. That study did not test this prescription. doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20191231-k0002 ↗
🎯 Location: Superior to the styloid process of the radius 1.5 thumb widths above the transverse crease of the wrist between brachioradialis and tendon of the abductor policis longus.
⚠️ Cautions: Use with caution in patients with radial nerve sensitivity.
🎯 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.
🎯 Location: On the anterior midline 4 thumb widths above the umbilicus.
⚠️ Cautions: Avoid needling over the gravid uterus after the first trimester; where used in pregnancy, needle shallowly and only on a clear obstetric indication.
Substantiated by a study. LI04, BL13, BL20, CV12 also appear in a study-reported protocol for the same search. That study did not test this prescription. doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20240613-k0004 ↗
🎯 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.
Substantiated by a study. BL17 also appears in a study-reported protocol for the same search. That study did not test this prescription. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2026.1779004 ↗
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How the studies delivered it
What the 25 studies behind the entries above ran, counted once per study. A record of the trials, not a recommendation.
Needling19 of 25
Electroacupuncture5 of 25
Moxibustion1 of 25
Acupressure1 of 25
Sessions: the 16 studies that gave a count ran a median of 15 (middle half 12 to 21).
Course: the 16 studies that gave a length ran a median of 4 weeks (middle half 2 weeks to 4 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.
