Table 1 Location of acupoints for treating IBS-C

Zhongwan(RN12)

On the anterior median line, midpoint of the line connecting the lower end of the sternum and the belly button

Mingmen(DU4)

Interspinous process of the second and third lumbar vertebrae

Guanyuan(RN4)

In the lower abdomen, on the anterior median line, when the umbilicus is 3 cun below the middle.

QiHai(RN6)

In the lower abdomen. On the front median line, 1.5 cun below the middle of the umbilicus

Pishu(BL20, bilateral)

Under the spinous process of the 11th thoracic vertebra, open 1.5 cun laterally

Shenshu(BL23, bilateral)

Under the spinous process of the 2th lumbar vertebra, open 1.5 cun laterally

Dachangshu(BL25, bilateral)

Under the spinous process of the 4th lumbar vertebra, open 1.5 cun laterally

Tianshu(ST, bilateral)

In the abdomen, at the same level as the navel, 2 cun away from the front median line.

Zusanli(ST36, bilateral)

Three cun below Dubi (ST35), one finger -breadth (middle finger) from the anterior crest of tibia

ZhiGou(SJ36, bilateral)

On the dorsal side of the forearm, on the line between Yangchi and the tip of the elbow, 3 cun above the transverse wrist line, between the ulna and the radius