Efficacy of Acupuncture versus Combined Oral Contraceptive Pill in Treatment of Moderate-to-Severe Dysmenorrhea: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Table 1

Acupuncture points used for treatment of dysmenorrhea in this study [18].

Point	Location	Needling	Action
Qi Hai (Ren 6)	On the anterior midline, 1.5 cun inferior to the umbilicus or 3.5 cun superior to the upper border of the pubic symphysis	Vertically 0.8–1.5 cun	(i) Tonifies and regulates vital energy; (ii) Resolves dampness
Zhong Ji (Ren 3)	On the anterior midline, 1 cun superior to the upper border of the pubic symphysis or 4 cun inferior to the umbilicus	Vertically 0.5–1 cun	(i) Resolves dampness and damp-heat; (ii) Regulates menstruation; (iii) Strengthens the kidneys
Di Ji (SP 8)	3 cun distal to the junction of the shaft and the medial condyle of the tibia, at the posterior border of the medial crest of the tibia	Vertically 1–1.5 cun	(i) Regulates the uterus; (ii) Regulates vital energy and blood; (iii) Stops menstrual pain by removing blood stasis
San Yin Jiao (SP 6)	3 cun proximal to the highest prominence of the medial malleolus, on the posterior border of the medial crest of the tibia	Vertically 1–1.5 cun	(i) Resolves dampness; (ii) Promotes the function of the liver and the smooth flow of vital energy in the liver; (iii) Tonifies the kidneys; (iv) Nourishes blood and Yin; (v) Regulates the uterus and menstruation; (vi) Moves blood and eliminates blood stasis; (vii) Cools blood; (viii) Stops pain; (ix) Calms the mind

The cun is a traditional Chinese unit of length equal to the width of a patient’s thumb at the knuckle.