Table 1 Acupuncture point selection protocol

All three Conditions

LI4 and LV3

Hwato 0.22 × 13 mm

Hwato0.25 × 30 mm

Hwato0.25 × 40 mm

Seirin 0.25 × 30 mm

20-30 minutes retention

Lower Back Pain:

Central type

Huatoujiaji,

DU3 and DU4,

BL 29, BL30, BL31 and BL32

GB 30, BL40, BL54, BL 58, BL62, and KI 3

Other points-

Ashi points as suitable

- Local and Ashi points should be stimulated gently til Deqi is achieved or in the case of a trigger point where a twitch response is elicited.

Lower Back Pain:

Lateral Type

BL23, BL25, BL52, BL54

and Yaoyan

GB 30, BL40, BL54, BL 58, BL62, and KI 3

Other points-

Ashi points as suitable

- Distal points stimulated more strongly and using a reduction technique

Ankle Sprain

Local points should be selected from

ST41, GB40, BL60, BL 62, BL 63 or

64 KI2, KI3, KI6, SP4, SP5

Distal points SP6, SP9, GB34, ST36 (use with caution on patients with low blood pressure) and HT7 on the opposite wrist to the injury

Other points-

Ashi points as suitable

- Local and Ashi points should have no or very little stimulation

- Distal points are to be stimulated more strongly using a reduction technique

Migraine

-Minimal local point selection (1-2 points)

from Taiyang, ST8, GB8, DU23, BL10, BL 11, GB2

and GB14 according to pain location.

If significant retro-orbital pain: BL2

-Distal points use LV3, LV 2, GB34, LI4, SJ5, ST 36, ST44, BL60, GB41, SP6

Nausea/vomiting add, GV18, PC6 or ST40

Other points-

Ashi points as suitable

-Local points should be no/minimal stimulation

-Distal points should use a reduction technique