Acupuncture Points
ABOUT ACUPUNCTURE POINTS
Acupuncture points on channels (meridians)Certain acupuncture points are ascribed different functions according to different systems within the TCM framework.
Five Transporting Points system describes the flow of qi like the flow of water. Qi bubbles up from a spring, becomes a stream, then a river, and finally the ocean. These points are always located below the elbows or knees.
Jing-well points are where the qi emerges. Usually located near the tips of the fingers or toes, they are always the first points on the yin channels or last points on the yang channels.
Usually located on the hands or feet, Ying-spring points are where the qi enters the channels.
Also located near the hands or feet, Shu-stream points are where the qi "pours" down the channel.
Located near the wrist or ankles, Jing-river points are where the qi "flows" down the channel.
He-sea points are where the qi descends deeper into the body. They are usually located near the elbows or knees.
Five Phase Points ascribe each of the five phases - wood, fire, earth, metal and water - to one of the Five Transporting points. These point categories are selected according to Five Phase theory.
Xi-cleft points are the point on the channel where the qi and blood gather and are indicated in acute situations and for painful conditions.
Yuan-source points are points where the yuan qi (original source qi) can be reached.
Luo-connecting points are located at the point meridian diverges. Each of the twelve meridians has a luo point that diverges from the main meridian.
Back-shu points lie on either side of the spine. They roughly correspond to the organs beneath them.
Front-mu points are located on the chest and abdomen above their respective organs. They have a direct effect on the organ.
Non-meridian points
Additionally, there are acupoints that are not located on the meridians. For example, ear acupuncture uses points that are not on a meridian, but located on the surface of the external ear. The Korean system of hand acupuncture utilizes acupoints on the hand. There are other extra points that are neither on a meridian nor part of a microsystem.
Auricular (Ear) Acupuncture Points
HOW TO FIND ACUPUNCTURE POINTS
There are approximately 500 acupuncture points located on the body. These points have been discovered and mapped through hundreds of years of investigation trial and error. Acupuncturists are taught to locate these points by several methods. Acupuncture points can be located by their relation to anatomical landmarks, such as "on the tip of the third finger", or by their distance from other acupuncture points, for example, Stomach 36 is 3 cun below stomach 35. A cun is a proportional "inch". It is the distance between the first and second knuckle of the index finger. Because obviously people are of differing sizes, a "cun" is not the same for everyone, yet it is an accurate way of locating acupuncture points on every individual. A third way of locating some acupuncture points is by feel. Slight depressions in the skin can often be felt along some channels. This is true mainly for points located on the arms and legs. Many points can actually be found using electrical devices called point finders. These devices are measure electrical resistance on the skin. When they pass over acupuncture points, they measure a distinct drop in electrical resistance and flash, buzz, or beep indicating the location of the point.
