Contraindications for Acupuncture
1. Site Contraindications: Important organ areas should not be needled. Areas where major blood vessels pass should be avoided. Important joint areas are not suitable for acupuncture.
2. Acupoint Contraindications: Pregnant women should avoid needling Hegu (LI4), Sanyinjiao (SP6), Quxi (CV3), as well as abdominal and lumbar sacral acupoints. Children should avoid needling the fontanel. Women should avoid needling Shimen (CV5).
3. Contraindications for Critical Conditions: The “Neijing” mentions five depletions and five reversals as contraindications for needling, which reflects this principle.
4. Contraindications for Extreme Anger, Shock, Overwork, Excess Hunger, Excess Thirst, Sexual Activity, Intoxication, etc.
Contraindications for MoxibustionAcupoint Contraindications:
For example, Yamen (GV15), Fengfu (GV16), Tianzhu (BL10), Chengguang (BL1), Toulinqi (GB1), Touwei (ST8), Sizhu Kong (PC8), Cuanzhu (BL2), Jingming (BL1), Suli (GB2), Qianlian (GB1), Yingxiang (LI20), Xiaguan (ST7), Renying (ST9), Tianyou (TH16), Tianfu (LU3), Zhou Rong (ST18), Yuanye (ST9), Ruzhong (ST17), Jiutai (ST18), Jianzhong (ST15), Yangchi (TE5), Zhongchong (PC9), Shaoshang (LU11), Yujie (LU10), Jingqu (LU8), Diji (SP8), Yangguan (GV3), Jizhong (GV6), Lougu (BL8), Yinlingquan (SP9), Tiaokou (ST34), Dubi (ST35), Yinshi (SP9), Futu (ST36), Biguan (ST31), Shenmai (BL62), Weizhong (BL40), Yinmen (BL37), Chengfu (BL36), Baihuanyu (BL30), Xuehai (SP10), Xinmen (HT7), Chengfu (BL36), Baihuanyu (BL30), and others.
Condition Contraindications:
Conditions in the three Yang meridians are not suitable for moxibustion, those with Yin deficiency and internal heat should avoid moxibustion, exterior conditions should not be treated with moxibustion, warm diseases should not be treated with moxibustion, and damp-heat conditions should not be treated with moxibustion, etc.
According to modern medical research and clinical practice, many of the ancient contraindications for needling and moxibustion have become outdated. Therefore, these discussions are for clinical reference only.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is profound and has various miraculous therapies, among which acupuncture is one. Needling acupoints on the body can have health-preserving effects.
Three Major Contraindicated Acupoints for AcupunctureRuzhong (ST17):
In some ancient texts, there are records regarding the needling and moxibustion of this acupoint.
For example: The “Zhouhou Beiji Fang” from the Jin Dynasty states: “For sudden epilepsy, moxibustion can be applied three times,” and the “Bronze Man Acupuncture Points Diagram” mentions: “Can be needled slightly three fen.” This indicates it is not an absolute contraindication. However, modern reports of moxibustion or needling at this point are rare, and it is only regarded as a landmark for the acupoint.
Naohud (GV15):
This acupoint is contraindicated for needling, with the earliest record found in the “Zhenjiu Jia Yi Jing,” while the prohibition of moxibustion only appeared in the Qing Dynasty. Naohud is a point on the Governing Vessel, located near the foramen magnum, which may be one reason for the historical caution in needling this point. However, this contraindication has been lifted in modern practice.
Yujie (LU10):
The contraindication for needling this point first appeared in the “Suwen: Acupuncture Prohibitions”: “Needling the fish belly of the hand, if it sinks, causes swelling,” while the prohibition of moxibustion is mentioned in the “Introduction to Medicine.” The reasons for these contraindications are similar to those mentioned above, but this point has long been exempted from prohibition in modern practice.
Acupuncture requires a high level of skill; it is not something that anyone can perform, and not all acupoints can be treated with needling. The above introduces the three major contraindicated acupoints for acupuncture, which everyone must pay attention to in order to avoid unexpected situations.
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