Table 1 Locations of acupoints for EA and MA groups

Obligatory acupoints

Dubi (ST35)

On the anterior aspect of the knee, in the depression lateral to the patellar ligament

Neixiyan (EX-LE5)

On the anterior aspect of the knee, in the depression medial to the patellar ligament

Ququan (LR8)

On the medial aspect of the knee, in the depression medial to the tendons of the semitendinosus and the semimembranosus muscles, at the medial end of the popliteal crease

Xiyangguan (GB33)

On the lateral aspect of the knee, in the depression between the biceps femoris tendon and the iliotibial band, posterior and proximal to the lateral epicondyle of the femur

Ashi point

The point where the patient feels most pain

Adjunct acupoints for yangming meridian syndrome

Futu (ST32)

On the anterolateral aspect of the thigh, on the line connecting the lateral end of the base of the patella with the anterior superior iliac spine, 6 cun^a superior to the base of the patella

Liangqiu (ST34)

On the anterolateral aspect of the thigh, between the vastus lateralis muscle and the lateral border of the rectus femoris tendon, 2 cun superior to the base of the patella

Heding (EX-LE2)

On the anterior aspect of the thigh, in the depression superior to the base of the patella

Zusanli (ST36)

3 cun directly below ST35, and one finger-breadth lateral to the anterior border of the tibia

Fenglong (ST40)

On the anterolateral aspect of the leg, lateral border of the tibialis anterior muscle, 8 cun superior to the prominence of the lateral malleolus

Adjunct acupoints for three-yin meridian syndrome

Xuehai (SP10)

On the anteromedial aspect of the thigh, on the bulge of the vastus medialis muscle, 2 cun superior to the medial end of the base of the patella

Yingu (KI10)

On the posteromedial aspect of the knee, just lateral to the semitendinosus tendon, in the popliteal crease

Yinlingquan (SP9)

On the tibial aspect of the leg, in the depression between the inferior border of the medial condyle of the tibia and the medial border of the tibia

Xiguan (LR7)

On the tibial aspect of the leg, inferior to the medial condyle of the tibia, 1 cun posterior to SP9

Sanyinjiao (SP6)

On the tibial aspect of the leg, posterior to the medial border of the tibia, 3 cun superior to the prominence of the medial malleolus

Taixi (KI3)

On the posteromedial aspect of the ankle, in the depression between the prominence of the medial malleolus and the calcaneal tendon

Taichong (LR3)

In the depression anterior to the junction of the first and second metatarsal bones

Gongsun (SP4)

On the medial aspect of the foot, anteroinferior to the base of the first metatarsal bone, at the border between the red and white flesh

Adjunct acupoints for taiyang meridian syndrome

Weiyang (BL39)

On the posterolateral aspect of the knee, just medial to the biceps femoris tendon in the popliteal crease

Weizhong (BL40)

On the posterior aspect of the knee, at the midpoint of the popliteal crease

Chengshan (BL57)

On the posterior aspect of the leg, at the connecting point of the calcaneal tendon with the two muscle bellies of the gastrocnemius muscle

Kunlun (BL60)

On the posterolateral aspect of the ankle, in the depression between the prominence of the lateral malleolus and the calcaneal tendon

Adjunct acupoints for shaoyang meridian syndrome

Fengshi (GB31)

On the lateral aspect of the thigh, in the depression posterior to the iliotibial band where the tip of the middle finger rests, when standing up with the arms hanging alongside the thigh

Yanglingquan (GB34)

On the fibular aspect of the leg, in the depression anterior and distal to the head of the fibula

Waiqiu (GB36)

On the fibular aspect of the leg, anterior to the fibula, 7 cun proximal to the prominence of the lateral malleolus

Xuanzhong (GB39)

On the fibular aspect of the leg, anterior to the fibula, 3 cun proximal to the prominence of the lateral malleolus

Zulinqi (GB41)

On the dorsum of the foot, distal to the junction of the bases of the fourth and fifth metatarsal bones, in the depression lateral to the fifth extensor digitorum longus tendon