Table 1 Locations of needling details for the acupoints used in the treatment protocol

GB20 (Fengchi)

In the posterior region of the neck, inferior to the occipital bone, in the depression between the origins of the sternocleidomastoid and the trapezius muscles

Perpendicular insertion in the direction of the opposite eye

TE16 (Tianyou)

In the anterior region of the neck, at the same level as the angle of the mandible, in the depression posterior to the sternocleidomastoid muscle

Oblique superior insertion across the sternocleidomastoid muscle

LI17 (Tianding)

On the anterior aspect of the neck, at the same level as the cricoid cartilage, just posterior to the border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle

Oblique inferior insertion along the scalene

GB21 (Jianjing)

In the posterior region of the neck, at the midpoint of the line connecting the spinous process of the 7th cervical vertebra (C7) with the lateral end of the acromion

Oblique medial insertion

SI14 (Jianwaishu)

In the upper back region, at the same level as the inferior border of the spinous process of the 1st thoracic vertebra (T1), 3 body-cun lateral to the posterior median line

Oblique inferior insertion in the direction of the superior part of the medial border of the scapula

Paravertebral point

0.5 body-cun lateral to the spinous process at the levels of the 5th and the 7th cervical vertebrae, respectively

Perpendicular insertion