Acupoints
 Acupoints are the specific sites through which the qi of the
zang - fu organs
and meridians is transported to the body surface. The Chinese characters for an
acupoint mean respectively " transportation " and " hole. " In
the medical literature of the past dynasties, acupoints, the sites where
acupuncture treatment is applied, have other terms such as " qi point "
and " aperture. " Acupoints are not only the pathways for the
circulation ofqi and blood, but also the loci of response to diseases. In
acupuncture and moxibustion treatment, proper techniques are applied on the
acupoints to regulate the functional activities of the body, strengthen body
resistence so as to prevent and treat diseases. Medical practitioners of past
ages have left plentiful recordings describing the locations and indications of
acupoints, formulating a systematical theory.
Classification of Acupoints.
There are numerous acupoints distributed over the human body. A great deal of
work has been accomplished by medical workers in the past to generalize and
systematize acupoints, which have been classified either " by
meridians " or " by body parts. " Generally speaking, acupoints fall
into the following three categories in terms of their evolution.
- Acupoints of the fourteen meridians. Also
known as " regular points. " acupoints of the fourteen meridians are
distributed along the twelve regular meridians, the Du ( Governor Vessel ) and
the Ren ( Conception Vessel ) Meridians, totally amounting to 361. According to
ancient medical records, the acupoints of this category are the
crystallization of rich clinical experience of medical workers in the past.
All the points in this category can be used to treat disorders of the related
meridians and collaterals. They are the most commonly used points and form the
main part of all acupoints. Those of the twelve regular meridians are
distributed symmetrically in pairs on the left and right sides of the body,
while those of the Du and the Ren Meridians are single ones, aligning on the
posterior and anterior midlines respectively.
- Extraordinary Points. Extraordinary points are named " extra
points " in short. They are experiential points with specific names and
definite locations, but are not attributed to the fourteen meridians. They are
effective in the treatment of certain diseases. Although scattered over the
body, they are still related to the meridians system, for example, Yintang
( Extra 1 ) is related to the Du Meridian, Lanwei ( Extra 18 ) to the Stomach
Meridian of Foot - Yangming. A survey of the ancient acupuncture literature has
revealed that some regular points were developed from the extraordinary
points. Examples are Gaohuang ( B 43 ) , which was added to the regular points in
Illustrated Manual of Acupoints on the Bronze Figure and Meichong ( B 3 ) , which
was added to the regular points in Classic of Health - Promoting Acupuncture.
Both were formerly extraordinary points. Therefore, extraordinary points are
said to be the preceding counterparts of regular points. Clinically. they are
the supplement to regular points.
- Ashi Points. Ashi Points are also called " reflexing points, " unfixed points " or " tender spots. " Chapter 13 of
Miraculous Pivot says, " Tender spots can be used as acupoints, " and
this was the primary method for point selection in early acupuncture and
moxibustion treatments. Without specific names and definite locations, Ashi
Points are considered to represent the earliest stage of acupoint evolution.
Clinically, they are mostly used for pain syndromes.
Nomenclature of Acupoints.
Acupoints of the fourteen meridians have their definite locations and names.
It is stated in Chapter 5 of Plain Questions, " Acupoints are the sites into
which qi and blood are infused. Each has its own location and name. "
Precious Supplementary Prescriptions further points out, " Each point is
named with profound significance, " which indicates that the name of each
point has its own meaning.
Most of the acupoints are nominated by way of analogy. The flow of qi and
blood is similized by that of water ; the prominence and depression of the
tendons and bones are compared to mountains and valleys ; the characteristic
local shape of the body is signified by certain animals or utensils ; and the
acupoint functions are analogized by architectural structures, astronomical or
meteorological phenomena.
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