Dr Tasneem Patel
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Interactive learning

Explore the acupuncture body map

Select a point to explore its traditional name, channel and location.

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Interactive body map

All points, in words

The full contents of the map as text, for screen readers or if you would rather not use the figure.

Locations follow the WHO Standard Acupuncture Point Locations (2008). Positions on the figure are approximate and await practitioner verification.

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Head & neck

4 points
GV20Bǎihuì 百会Hundred Convergences
Channel
Governor Vessel
Location
On the top of the head, on the midline, 5 cun above the front hairline (roughly where a line joining the tops of the ears crosses the midline).
About
One of the best-known points on the Governor Vessel, which runs along the midline of the back and head. In Traditional Chinese Medicine it is traditionally described as a meeting point of many channels.
Show GV20 on the figure
EX-HN3Yìntáng 印堂Hall of Impression
Channel
Extra point (head and neck)
Location
On the forehead, midway between the inner ends of the eyebrows.
About
An "extra point" that sits outside the 14 main channels in classical listings. Some modern standards list it on the Governor Vessel instead. It is often used in calming, relaxation-focused treatments in TCM practice.
Show EX-HN3 on the figure
EX-HN5Tàiyáng 太阳Supreme Yang
Channel
Extra point (head and neck)
Location
At the temple, in the depression about one finger-breadth behind the midpoint between the outer end of the eyebrow and the outer corner of the eye.
About
An extra point at the temple, traditionally referred to in TCM in relation to head and eye discomfort.
Show EX-HN5 on the figure
GB20Fēngchí 风池Wind Pool
Channel
Gallbladder
Location
At the base of the skull, below the occipital bone, in the hollow between the upper ends of the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles.
About
A Gallbladder channel point at the junction of the head and neck, often included in TCM treatments for neck tension and headaches.
Please note
Needled only by trained practitioners with careful attention to depth and direction.
Show GB20 on the figure

Torso

6 points
LU1Zhōngfǔ 中府Central Residence
Channel
Lung
Location
On the upper chest, level with the first intercostal space, just outside the hollow below the outer end of the collarbone, 6 cun from the midline.
About
The first point of the Lung channel in classical sequence, located on the upper chest near the shoulder.
Please note
Lies over the chest wall, so it is needled only shallowly and obliquely by trained practitioners.
Show LU1 on the figure
CV17Dànzhōng 膻中Chest Centre
Channel
Conception Vessel
Location
On the midline of the chest, level with the fourth intercostal space (usually between the nipples in men).
About
A Conception Vessel point on the breastbone, traditionally described in TCM as an influential point for the chest and breathing.
Show CV17 on the figure
CV12Zhōngwǎn 中脘Middle Cavity
Channel
Conception Vessel
Location
On the midline of the upper abdomen, 4 cun above the centre of the navel (midway between the navel and the lower end of the breastbone).
About
A Conception Vessel point over the upper abdomen, traditionally associated in TCM with digestion.
Show CV12 on the figure
ST25Tiānshū 天枢Celestial Pivot
Channel
Stomach
Location
On the abdomen, 2 cun to either side of the centre of the navel.
About
A Stomach channel point beside the navel, traditionally referred to in TCM in relation to the intestines.
Show ST25 on the figure
CV6Qìhǎi 气海Sea of Qi
Channel
Conception Vessel
Location
On the midline of the lower abdomen, 1.5 cun below the centre of the navel.
About
A Conception Vessel point below the navel. As its name suggests, it is traditionally associated with energy and vitality, and is a classic site for moxibustion.
Please note
Traditionally avoided during pregnancy. Always tell your practitioner if you are or may be pregnant.
Show CV6 on the figure
CV4Guānyuán 关元Origin Pass
Channel
Conception Vessel
Location
On the midline of the lower abdomen, 3 cun below the centre of the navel.
About
A Conception Vessel point on the lower abdomen, often referred to in TCM writing on women’s health and as a site for moxibustion.
Please note
Traditionally avoided during pregnancy. Always tell your practitioner if you are or may be pregnant.
Show CV4 on the figure

Back

4 points
GV14Dàzhuī 大椎Great Vertebra
Channel
Governor Vessel
Location
On the midline of the upper back, in the hollow just below the spinous process of the seventh cervical vertebra (the prominent bone at the base of the neck).
About
A Governor Vessel point at the base of the neck, traditionally described as a meeting point of the yang channels.
Show GV14 on the figure
GB21Jiānjǐng 肩井Shoulder Well
Channel
Gallbladder
Location
On the top of the shoulder, midway between the seventh cervical vertebra and the outer tip of the shoulder (acromion).
About
A Gallbladder channel point on the upper trapezius, where many people carry shoulder tension. It is often worked with massage and cupping as well as needles.
Please note
Traditionally avoided during pregnancy. Always tell your practitioner if you are or may be pregnant. It lies above the top of the lung, so needling depth is strictly limited.
Show GB21 on the figure
BL23Shènshū 肾俞Kidney Shu
Channel
Bladder
Location
On the lower back, level with the lower border of the spinous process of the second lumbar vertebra, 1.5 cun to either side of the midline.
About
One of the "back-shu" points along the Bladder channel, each traditionally linked with an organ system. This one is linked with the Kidney.
Show BL23 on the figure
GV4Mìngmén 命门Gate of Life
Channel
Governor Vessel
Location
On the midline of the lower back, in the hollow below the spinous process of the second lumbar vertebra.
About
A Governor Vessel point between the two BL23 points, traditionally regarded as an important point for warmth and vitality and a common moxibustion site.
Show GV4 on the figure

Arms

4 points
LI4Hégǔ 合谷Union Valley
Channel
Large Intestine
Location
On the back of the hand, beside the midpoint of the second metacarpal bone (the bone leading to the index finger), on the thumb side.
About
One of the most widely recognised points in acupuncture, frequently mentioned in TCM literature in relation to the head, face and general pain.
Please note
Traditionally avoided during pregnancy. Always tell your practitioner if you are or may be pregnant.
Show LI4 on the figure
PC6Nèiguān 内关Inner Pass
Channel
Pericardium
Location
On the inner (palm side) forearm, 2 cun above the wrist crease, between the two prominent tendons (palmaris longus and flexor carpi radialis).
About
A Pericardium channel point that is among the most studied acupuncture points. It is traditionally associated in TCM with the chest and stomach, and with nausea.
Show PC6 on the figure
LI11Qūchí 曲池Pool at the Bend
Channel
Large Intestine
Location
On the outer side of the elbow, midway between the outer end of the elbow crease and the lateral epicondyle of the humerus (with the elbow bent).
About
A Large Intestine channel point at the elbow, commonly included in TCM point combinations for the arm and shoulder.
Show LI11 on the figure
TE5Wàiguān 外关Outer Pass
Channel
Triple Energizer
Location
On the back of the forearm, 2 cun above the wrist crease, in the middle of the space between the radius and ulna.
About
A Triple Energizer (San Jiao) channel point on the back of the forearm, opposite PC6 on the inner forearm.
Show TE5 on the figure

Legs

7 points
ST36Zúsānlǐ 足三里Leg Three Miles
Channel
Stomach
Location
On the front of the lower leg, 3 cun below the outer "eye" of the knee (ST35), about one finger-breadth outside the front edge of the shinbone.
About
Probably the most frequently used point in acupuncture. In TCM tradition it is associated with digestion and general vitality, and it is also a classic moxibustion point.
Show ST36 on the figure
GB34Yánglíngquán 阳陵泉Yang Mound Spring
Channel
Gallbladder
Location
On the outer side of the lower leg, in the hollow in front of and below the head of the fibula.
About
A Gallbladder channel point below the knee, traditionally described in TCM as the influential point for the sinews (muscles and tendons).
Show GB34 on the figure
SP6Sānyīnjiāo 三阴交Three Yin Intersection
Channel
Spleen
Location
On the inner side of the lower leg, 3 cun above the most prominent point of the inner ankle bone, just behind the inner edge of the shinbone.
About
A Spleen channel point where three yin channels of the leg are traditionally said to meet. It is frequently referred to in TCM writing on women’s health.
Please note
Traditionally avoided during pregnancy. Always tell your practitioner if you are or may be pregnant.
Show SP6 on the figure
LR3Tàichōng 太冲Great Rushing
Channel
Liver
Location
On the top of the foot, in the hollow between the first and second metatarsal bones, just in front of where the two bones meet.
About
A Liver channel point on the top of the foot. It is often paired with LI4 on the hands, a combination traditionally called the "Four Gates".
Show LR3 on the figure
BL40Wěizhōng 委中Bend Middle
Channel
Bladder
Location
At the back of the knee, at the midpoint of the knee crease.
About
A Bladder channel point behind the knee, traditionally associated with the lower back in TCM.
Show BL40 on the figure
BL57Chéngshān 承山Mountain Support
Channel
Bladder
Location
At the back of the lower leg, where the Achilles tendon meets the two bellies of the calf muscle (felt as a hollow when the toes are pointed).
About
A Bladder channel point in the calf, often included in TCM treatments for calf cramps and tension.
Show BL57 on the figure
BL60Kūnlún 昆仑Kunlun Mountains
Channel
Bladder
Location
On the outer ankle, in the hollow between the most prominent point of the outer ankle bone and the Achilles tendon.
About
A Bladder channel point behind the outer ankle, named after the Kunlun mountain range.
Please note
Traditionally avoided during pregnancy. Always tell your practitioner if you are or may be pregnant.
Show BL60 on the figure