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Table 1 Locations and manipulations of the acupuncture points selected in this study

From: Acupuncture for Hashimoto thyroiditis: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Acupoints

Location

Size of needle

Manipulation

San Jian (LI3)

On the dorsum of the hand, in the depression radial and proximal to the second metacarpophalangeal joint.

0.25ā€‰Ć—ā€‰40ā€‰mm

Insert the needle to a depth of 1ā€“2ā€‰mm, adjust the direction of needleā€™s tip towards He Gu (LI4) and penetrate the needle horizontally within the subcutaneous tissue to a depth 0.8ā€“1.0 cun (20.0ā€‰mmā€“25.0ā€‰mm). Manipulate needle to get ā€œde-qiā€ sensation.

He Gu (LI4)

On the dorsum of the hand, radial to the midpoint of the second metacarpal bone.

0.18ā€‰Ć—ā€‰40ā€‰mm

Same as ā€œSan Jian (LI3)ā€

Qu Chi (LI11)

On the lateral aspect of the elbow, at the midpoint of the line connecting LU5 with the lateral epicondyle of the humerus.

0.30ā€‰Ć—ā€‰75ā€‰mm

Insert needle to a depth of 1ā€“2ā€‰mm, adjust the direction of needleā€™s tip towards Bi Nao (LI14) and penetrate the needle horizontally within the subcutaneous tissue to a depth 2.5ā€“2.8 cun (62.5ā€‰mmā€“70.0ā€‰mm). Manipulate needle to get ā€œde-qiā€ sensation.

Bi Nao (LI14)

On the lateral aspect of the arm, just anterior to the border of the deltoid muscle, 7 B-cun superior to LI11

0.30ā€‰Ć—ā€‰75ā€‰mm

Insert needle to a depth of 1ā€“2ā€‰mm, adjust the direction of needleā€™s tip towards Jian Yu (LI15) and penetrate the needle horizontally within the subcutaneous tissue to a depth 2.5ā€“2.8 cun (62.5ā€‰mmā€“70.0ā€‰mm). Manipulate needle to get ā€œde-qiā€ sensation.

Jian Yu (LI15)

On the shoulder girdle, in the depression between the anterior end of lateral border of the acromion and the greater tubercle of the humerus.

0.25ā€‰Ć—ā€‰40ā€‰mm

Insert needle obliquely to a depth of 0.8ā€“1.5 cun (20.0ā€‰mmā€“37.5ā€‰mm). Manipulate needle to get ā€œde-qiā€ sensation.

Ren Ying (ST9)

In the anterior region of the neck, at the same level as the superior border of the thyroid cartilage, anterior to the sternocleidomastoid muscle, over the common carotid artery.

0.25ā€‰Ć—ā€‰40ā€‰mm

Insert needle perpendicularly to a depth of 0.8ā€“1.5 cun. Manipulate needle to get ā€œde-qiā€ sensation.

Zu San Li (ST36)

On the anterior aspect of the leg, on the line connecting ST35 with ST41, 3 B-cun inferior to ST35

0.25ā€‰Ć—ā€‰40ā€‰mm

Insert needle perpendicularly to a depth of 1.0ā€“1.5 cun (25.0ā€‰mmā€“37.5ā€‰mm). Manipulate needle to get ā€œde-qiā€ sensation.