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Table 1 Justification of acupoint in electroacupuncture for postoperative pain control based on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)

From: Combined electroacupuncture and auricular acupuncture for postoperative pain after abdominal surgery for gynecological diseases: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

 

Location

TCM indication

Suggested technique

Core acupoints (used in all treatment sessions)

LI4 (Hegu)

Dorsum of hand, at the level of the midpoint of the second metacarpal bone, between first and second metacarpal bones

Helps in abdominal pain.

Needle perpendicularly 0.5–1.0 cun

ST36 (Zusanli)

Antero-lateral leg, 1 middle-finger breadth next to the anterior crest of tibia, 3 cun under the depression lateral to the patellar ligament

Stomach’s lower He point, helps in regulating Qi and blood circulation.

Needle perpendicularly 0.5–1.5 cun

SP8 (Diji)

Medial leg, posterior to the tibia, 3 cun under the depression inferior and posterior to the tibia medial condyle

Xi (Cleft) point of the Spleen meridian, helps in abdominal pain

Needle perpendicularly 1.0–1.5 cun

SP10 (Xuehai)

Antero-medial thigh, 2 cun above the medial cranial pole of the patella.

Helps in tonifying and circulating blood

Needle perpendicularly 1.0–2.0 cun

LR3 (Taichong)

Dorsum of foot, within the depression between first and second metatarsal bones.

Helps in regulating liver Qi and blood

Needle obliquely upward 0.5–1.0 cun

Additional acupoints: Before surgery (first treatment session): LR14, ST25, EX-CA1, CV4, and CV12 will be used. After surgery (second to seventh treatment sessions): 4 acupoints selected from below will be used, PC6 is the first choice

GB26 (Daimai)

Lateral abdomen, at the level of the umbilicus, below the free end of the 11th rib

Crossing point of the Gallbladder and the Dai meridians

Needle obliquely 0.5–1.0 cun

GB34 (Yanglingquan)

Lateral leg, at the depression inferior and anterior to the head of the fibula

He (Sea) point of the Gallbladder meridian and Influential Point for the tendons

Needle obliquely upward 0.5–0.8 cun

GB41 (Zulinqi)

Lateral-dorsal aspect of the foot, lateral side of the little toe’s extensor muscle tendon

Shu (Stream) point of the Gallbladder meridian and the meridian’s Confluence Point with the Dai meridians

Needle perpendicularly 0.5–0.8 cun

HT3 (Shaohai)

Elbow, at the middle of the medial end of the transverse antecubital crease and the medial epicondyle of the humerus

He (Sea) point of the Heart meridian, helps in regulating heart

Needle perpendicularly 0.5–1.0 cun

HT7 (Shenmen)

Palmar aspect of the wrist, ulnar end of the transverse crease

Shu (Stream) and Yuan (Source) points of the Heart meridian, helps in calming the Shen (spirit)

Needle perpendicularly 0.3–0.5 cun

KI4 (Dazhong)

Medial foot, at the back of and below the medial malleolus, in depression in front of the Achilles tendon

Helps in gynecological disorders

Needle perpendicularly 0.5–1.0 cun

KI6 (Zhaohai)

Medial foot, at the depression below the medial malleolus

Helps in gynecological disorders

Needle perpendicularly 0.5–0.8 cun

LI11 (Quchi)

Elbow, at the middle of Chize and the lateral epicondyle of the humerus

Helps in abdominal pain

Needle perpendicularly 1.0–2.5 cun

LR5 (Ligou)

Medial leg, 5 cun on top of the medial malleolus.

Luo (Connecting) point of the Liver meridian, helps in gynecological disorders

Needle transversely 0.5–0.8 cun

LR14 (Qimen)

Thorax, on the mammillary line, in the six intercostal space under the mammilla

Front Collecting Point (Mu point) of the Liver meridian, helps in regulating liver Qi and blood

Needle transversely 0.5–1.0 cun

LU7 (Lieque)

Antero-lateral forearm, in front of the styloid process of the radius, 1.5 cun away from the wrist crease

Confluence Point of the Ren meridian and the Lung meridian

Needle obliquely upward 0.2–0.3 cun

PC6 (Neiguan)

Palmar aspect of the forearm, between the tendons, 2 cun away from the transverse crease of the wrist

Luo (Connecting) point of the Pericardium meridian, helps in gastric pain and calming the Shen

Needle perpendicularly 0.5–1.5 cun

SP6 (Sanyinjiao)

Behind the medial tibia, 3 cun above the tip of the medial malleolus

Helps in gynecological disorders

Needle perpendicularly 0.5–1.0 cun

SP14 (Fujie)

Abdomen, 4 cun away from the anterior midline, 1.3 cun below Daheng

Helps in peri-umbilical pain

Needle perpendicularly 1.0–1.5 cun

SP15 (Daheng)

Abdomen, 4 cun away from the umbilicus

Helps in abdominal pain

Needle perpendicularly 1.0–1.5 cun

SP16 (Fuai)

Abdomen, 4 cun away from the anterior midline, 3 cun above Daheng

Helps in abdominal pain

Needle perpendicularly 1.0–1.5 cun

SP21 (Dabao)

Lateral chest, in 6th intercostal space, on mid-axillary line

Collateral meridian of Spleen, helps in total body pain

Needle obliquely backward 0.5–0.8 cun

ST23 (Taiyi)

Abdomen, 2 cun above Tianshu

Helps in reducing irritability

Needle perpendicularly 1.0–1.5 cun

ST25 (Tianshu)

Abdomen, 2 cun away from the navel

Front Collecting Point (Mu point) of the Large Intestine meridian, helps in circulating Qi

Needle perpendicularly 1.0–1.5 cun

ST27 (Daju)

Abdomen, 2 cun below Tianshu

Helps in lower abdominal distention and pain

Needle perpendicularly 1.0–1.5 cun

ST34 (Liangqiu)

Anterior thigh, 2 cun above the superior lateral corner of the patella

Xi (Cleft) point of the Stomach meridian, helps in acute stomachache

Needle perpendicularly 1.0–1.5 cun

CV4 (Guanyuan)

Abdomen, 3 cun under the navel

Front Collecting Point (Mu point) of the Large Intestine meridian, helps in invigorates original Qi (Yuan Qi)

Needle perpendicularly 0.5–1.0 cun

CV12 (Zhongwan)

Abdomen, 4 cun above the navel

Front Collecting Point (Mu point) of the Stomach meridian, Master Point of the Fu organs, helps in regulating Qi

Needle perpendicularly 0.5–1.0 cun

EX-CA1 (Zigong)

Abdomen, at the level of 4 cun under the navel and 3 cun away from the midline

Helps in gynecological disorders

Needle perpendicularly 0.8–1.2 cun