Objective To explore the potential acupoint selection rule of acupuncture in the treatment of cervical spondylotic radiculopathy. Methods To search the literature about acupuncture treatment of cervical spondylotic radiculopathy in Wanfang, Weipu and CNKI databases for nearly 15 years, and then combine the duplicate literature. Through the unified literature inclusion and exclusion criteria, the frequency of acupoint names in the final effective literature was ranked, and the internal law of the top 20 acupoints was analyzed. Results A total of 1 758 related literatures were retrieved, 472 of which were finally valid, involving 144 acupoint names, and the total frequency of acupoint use was 1 664. The top 20 acupoints are Jingjiaji, Fengchi, Quchi, Hegu, Waiguan, Jianjing, Dazhui, shousanli, Houxi, Tianzong, Ashi, Tianzhu, Jianfu, jianzhongyu, Dazhu, jianwaiyu, Jianzhen, Fengfu, Lieque and Baihui. Conclusion Based on the literature data mining, acupuncture treatment of nerve root type cervical spondylosis is mainly based on the three yang meridians of hand, the three yang meridians of foot and the Du meridian, supplemented by the Taiyin meridians and Ashi meridians of hand, the points are mainly located in the neck, shoulder and upper extremity, followed by the back and the top of Britain.