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Table 2 Standardized acupoint stimulation treatment

From: Efficacy of acupuncture for chronic low back pain: protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Acupoints

Location

Major Indications and Actions. [21,38]

Du3 (Yaoyang-guan)

Midline of the lower back, just below the spinous process of the fourth lumbar vertebra

Lumbosacral pain, motor impairment, numbness and pain of legs, other (e.g., seizures)

UB23 (Shenshu)

1.5 inches lateral to lower border of the spinous process of the second lumbar vertebra (bilateral point)

Low back pain, principal point to strengthen the "Kidneys", other (e.g., weakness of knee)

Low back ashi

Any tender point in the area between a horizontal line just below T12 and a horizontal line at the tip of the coccyx and extending to the outer contour of the body (as assessed by the Diagnostician acupuncturist)

Used according to the concept that "where there is pain, there is an acupuncture point"

UB40 (Weizhong)

Back of the knee in the midpoint of the transverse crease of the popliteal fossa (bilateral point)

Low back pain, motor impairment of hip joint, "activation of the UB channel"

Ki3 (Taixi)

On the foot, depression between the medial malleolus and tendo calcaneus (bilateral point)

Lumbar pain, strengthen lumbar spine, "nourishes Kidney Yin and tonifies Kidney Yang", other (e.g., insomnia)