The 30 Acupuncture Points You Need to Know for Pain Relief
If you’re prone to pain – whether it’s a tension headache, backache, or muscle soreness – finding an effective treatment can feel like an uphill battle. However, for centuries, acupuncture has served as a natural way to alleviate pain and inflammation. Here are the best 30 acupuncture points to help ease your discomfort.
The Head and Neck (Jing-Well Points)
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1. LV 3 (Liver 3): Located in the gap between the big toe and second toe, this point helps with headaches, menstrual cramps, and anxiety.
2. LI 4 (Large Intestine 4): Located in the webbing between the thumb and index finger, this point helps with migraines, dental pain, and neck tension.
3. GB 20 (Gallbladder 20): Located at the base of the skull, this point help with migraines, neck pain, and insomnia.
The Back and Spine (Shu-Points)
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4. UB 10 (Urinary Bladder 10): Located at the base of the skull, this point helps with neck pain, dizziness, and visual disorders.
5. DU 14 (Governor Vessel 14): Located in the center of the spine, this point helps with pain in the neck, back, and shoulders.
6. UB 13 (Urinary Bladder 13): Located at the top of the upper back, this point helps with respiratory disorders, asthma, and chest pain.
Abdomen and Lower Back (Front Mu Points)
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7. Ren 4 (Conception Vessel 4): Located four fingers below the navel, this point helps with abdominal pain, digestive system imbalances, and sexual dysfunction.
8. Ren 6 (Conception Vessel 6): Located two fingers below the navel, this point helps with digestive issues, menstrual problems, and urinary disorders.
9. UB 21 (Urinary Bladder): Located two finger widths away from the spine, this point helps with digestive issues and lower back pain.
Upper Extremities (Hand and Arm Points)
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10. LI 11 (Large Intestine 11): Located at the outer crease of the elbow, this point helps with arthritis pain and stomach disorders.
11. PC 6 (Pericardium 6): Located two inches from the wrist on the inner arm, this point helps with nausea, migraines, and carpal tunnel syndrome.
12. SI 3 (Small Intestine 3): Located on the outside of the hand, approximately one inch below the little finger, this point helps with shoulder tension and neck pain.
Lower Extremities (Foot and Leg Points)
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13. ST 36 (Stomach 36): Located on the leg, one finger width away from the anterior tibial crest (shin bone), this point helps with fatigue and low immunity.
14. KI 3 (Kidney 3): Located in the ankle depression between the Achilles’ tendon and the ankle bone, this point helps with fatigue and respiratory disorders.
15. GB 34 (Gallbladder 34): Located in the depression in front of, and one inch below, the knee joint, this point helps with joint and muscle pain.
Muscles and Joints (Ah Shi Points)
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16. GB 31 (Gallbladder 31): Located at the junction of the thigh bone and the pelvis, this point helps with leg and hip tension.
17. ST 44 (Stomach 44): Located on the foot between the first and second toes, this point helps with Raynaud’s disease and ankle pain.
18. Ashi points (Tender Points): These are pain points located throughout the body that are used to target localized pain and stimulate circulation of qi, or energy flow, in the body.
Internal Organs (Organ Mu Points)
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19. LU 1 (Lung 1): Located above and to the side of the chest, this point helps with asthma attacks and bronchitis symptoms.
20. BL 23 (Urinary Bladder 23): Located on the spine at the waistline, this point helps to alleviate lower back pain and hip stiffness.
21. ST 25 (Stomach 25): Located on either side of the navel and helps with menstrual irregularity and digestive issues.
The Five Poisons Region (Five Zang Organs)
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22. LR 3 (Liver 3): Located between the big toe and the second toe, this point helps with menstrual cramps, eye discomfort, and stress-related issues.
23. PE 6 (Pericardium 6): Located on the wrist crease, this point helps with stress, heart conditions, and dizziness.
24. LU 7 (Lung 7): Located above the bone of the wrist (the styloid process), this point helps with cough and respiratory disorders.
The Six External Regions (The Six Fu Organs)
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25. ST 36 (Stomach 36): Located on the lateral side of the leg, this point helps with digestion, immunity, and strengthening the body.
26. SP 6 (Spleen 6): Located on the lower calf, this point helps with menstrual irregularity and promoting blood circulation.
27. GB 34 (Gallbladder 34): Located below the knee joint, this point helps with joint and muscle pain.
Extra Points (Additional Acupuncture Points)
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28. DU 16 (Governor Vessel 16): Located at the base of the skull, this point helps to alleviate migraines and tension headaches.
29. Ren 17 (Conception Vessel 17): Located on the sternum, this point help to alleviate chest pain and breathing issues.
30. Huatoujiaji Points: These are the points located below the spinous process, the bone that sticks up from each vertebra of the spine, that help with nerve root pain.
Final Thoughts
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By using the right acupuncture points, it’s possible to realize benefits that help with pain management and our overall sense of well-being. From head and neck to hand and arm points, it’s important to find the ones that are best suited for you. So give it a try, and see if it works wonders for you!