Acupuncture Points on the Body

Acupuncture an ancient system of Chinese medicine aims to restore and maintain health by stimulation of specific points on human body by insertion of needles. These points are called the acupuncture points and there are hundreds of acupuncture points in human body. These points are located along the body's 14 major meridians, or energy-carrying channels.

The acupuncture points influence the flow of energy, or Qi, in the body and correct the imbalance to restore health. The term Qi (pronounced chee) denotes the energy that flows along the meridians, or energy-carrying channels.

Most of the classical acupuncture points are present along meridians. These energy channels allow the energy to flow up and down the surface of the body and to deeper levels (to the internal organs and other meridians).

According to experts on acupuncture an illness is caused by a disruption of Qi, or the flow of energy in the body. This leads to an imbalance of energy. Acupuncture by stimulation of the energy that flows along the meridians, or energy-carrying channels can correct this energy disruption. The 14 major meridians or energy-carrying channels are:

• Lung Meridian

• Large Intestine Meridian

• Stomach Meridian

• Spleen Meridian

• Heart Meridian

• Small Intestine Meridian

• Urinary Bladder Meridian

• Kidney Meridian

• Pericardium Meridian

• Triple Burner Meridian

• Gall Bladder Meridian

• Liver Meridian

• Governing Vessel

• Conception Vessel

Several new meridians in the body have been identified but despite the growing number of treatment zones, acupuncture points located along the 14 main meridians are used by most acupuncturists.

Each meridian has a few points that are used repetitively, because of their versatility, for different types of diseases in different patients.

Although the diseases that can be treated by each point can be given, many times your acupuncturist will select a point entirely or primarily on the basis of the Chinese theory of balancing the flow in the meridians. Hence a point may be used for other kinds of disorders or disease besides the ones that have been specified for it, (as it may help to balance the flow of energy).