Adjunct Placement for Acupuncture Points and Trigger Points for Wrist Pain

Introduction

The Primary Placement shown in the Wrist Pain Treatment Protocol is the recommended starting point. For wrist pain, this placement is centred over the wrist fold. The placements below are optional Adjunct Placements that may be considered when symptoms correspond with particular areas of tenderness, muscular involvement or movement restriction, or when the Primary Placement alone is not providing the desired response.

Adjunct Placements may be used alongside the Primary Placement, at different times, or when exploring other placement options. An appropriately selected distal acupuncture point may sometimes be useful on its own. Under the Field | Dose | Placement principle, use the recommended field configuration and dose category and select placements according to where symptoms are felt, tenderness, movement restriction and individual response. The recommended wrist-pain Adjunct Placements are LI10, PC6, TE5 and the Common Extensor Origin.

Recommended Additional Placements

Acupuncture Points

1. LI10 – Medium Quadrapolar or Hexapolar – M
   Located on the outer, thumb-side aspect of the forearm below the elbow. It may be considered where wrist symptoms are accompanied by tenderness or muscular involvement through the outer forearm.
2. PC6 (Neiguan) – Medium Quadrapolar or Hexapolar – M
   Located on the inner forearm, a short distance above the wrist crease between the central forearm tendons. It provides a more proximal placement option where tenderness or discomfort extends into the inner forearm.
3. TE5 (Waiguan) – Medium Quadrapolar or Hexapolar – M
   Located on the back of the forearm, a short distance above the wrist crease. It may be considered where symptoms or tenderness involve the dorsal or outer forearm.

Myofascial Trigger Points

4. Common Extensor Origin – Medium Quadrapolar or Hexapolar – M
   Located around the outer elbow where the wrist and finger extensor muscles share a common attachment. This placement may be relevant where wrist discomfort is associated with tenderness or overuse through the forearm extensor muscles.

Practical Placement Guidance

Begin with the Primary Placement described in the Wrist Pain Treatment Protocol, centred over the wrist fold, and ensure the device remains securely positioned rather than shifting during wrist movement.

When considering Adjunct Placements:

• gently palpate the forearm and outer elbow for areas of tenderness or sensitivity;
• prioritise the recommended point or structure that best corresponds with where discomfort or muscular tenderness is felt;
• consider PC6 for symptoms associated with the inner forearm and TE5 or LI10 where symptoms involve the outer or dorsal forearm;
• consider the Common Extensor Origin where tenderness extends proximally into the forearm extensor attachment near the outer elbow;
• use the recommended M Medium category rather than assuming a larger magnet will provide a better result.

There is generally no need to use every listed placement. Selection should remain focused on the individual symptom pattern and response.

This information is provided as educational placement guidance and does not replace diagnosis, medical assessment or treatment recommended by an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.