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. | 0.25 × 40 mm | Insert the needle to a depth of 1–2 mm, adjust the direction of needle’s tip towards He Gu (LI4) and penetrate the needle horizontally within the subcutaneous tissue to a depth 0.8–1.0 cun (20.0 mm–25.0 mm). Manipulate needle to get “de-qi” sensation. |
| He Gu (LI4) | On the dorsum of the hand, radial to the midpoint of the second metacarpal bone. | 0.18 × 40 mm | Same as “San Jian (LI3)” |
| 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. | 0.30 × 75 mm | Insert needle to a depth of 1–2 mm, adjust the direction of needle’s tip towards Bi Nao (LI14) and penetrate the needle horizontally within the subcutaneous tissue to a depth 2.5–2.8 cun (62.5 mm–70.0 mm). Manipulate needle to get “de-qi” 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 | 0.30 × 75 mm | Insert needle to a depth of 1–2 mm, adjust the direction of needle’s tip towards Jian Yu (LI15) and penetrate the needle horizontally within the subcutaneous tissue to a depth 2.5–2.8 cun (62.5 mm–70.0 mm). Manipulate needle to get “de-qi” 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. | 0.25 × 40 mm | Insert needle obliquely to a depth of 0.8–1.5 cun (20.0 mm–37.5 mm). Manipulate needle to get “de-qi” 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. | 0.25 × 40 mm | Insert needle perpendicularly to a depth of 0.8–1.5 cun. Manipulate needle to get “de-qi” 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 | 0.25 × 40 mm | Insert needle perpendicularly to a depth of 1.0–1.5 cun (25.0 mm–37.5 mm). Manipulate needle to get “de-qi” sensation. |