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'''Acupuncture points''' (also called "acupoints or tsubo") are anatomical locations on the body that are the focus of [[acupuncture]], [[acupressure]], [[sonopuncture]], and [[laser]] acupuncture treatments. There are several hundred acupuncture points that are distributed along the [[meridian (Chinese medicine)|meridians]] as well as numerous other "extra points" that are not associated with a particular meridian. Most of the current research into acupuncture point locations and mechanisms is taking place in [[China]]. |
'''Acupuncture points''' (also called "acupoints or tsubo") are anatomical locations on the body that are the focus of [[acupuncture]], [[acupressure]], [[sonopuncture]], and [[laser]] acupuncture treatments. There are several hundred acupuncture points that are distributed along the [[meridian (Chinese medicine)|meridians]] as well as numerous other "extra points" that are not associated with a particular meridian. To date, scientific investigation has not found evidence supporting the location or usefulness of these points. Most of the current research into acupuncture point locations and mechanisms is taking place in [[China]]. |
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[[Category:Acupuncture]] |
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[[zh:穴位]] |
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Revision as of 21:12, 8 July 2006
Acupuncture points (also called "acupoints or tsubo") are anatomical locations on the body that are the focus of acupuncture, acupressure, sonopuncture, and laser acupuncture treatments. There are several hundred acupuncture points that are distributed along the meridians as well as numerous other "extra points" that are not associated with a particular meridian. To date, scientific investigation has not found evidence supporting the location or usefulness of these points. Most of the current research into acupuncture point locations and mechanisms is taking place in China.
Acupuncture point | |
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This article is part of the branches of CAM series. | |
CAM Article Index |
Theory
Acupuncture points are usually located by palpation of the local region, often by locating a depression on the body that can be felt with the finger. Points may also be located by feeling for subtle differences in temperature on the skin surface or over the skin surface, as well as changes in the tension or "stickiness" of the skin and tissue. There is no scientific proof that this method works and some practitioners disagree with the method. There is no disagreement about the alleged location of acupoints on the body.
Many acupoints are also located by a measurement technique that is calibrated according to their proportional distances from various landmark points on the body. Acupoint location usually depends on specific anatomical landmarks that can be palpated. Trigger points are usually acupoints that are located exclusively by tenderness, with a bit of pressure. Location by tenderness is also a common way of locating acupoints. Acupoint location can be difficult to learn, but gets easier with practice. There are nearly 400 basic acupoints on the meridians. Many of these basic points are rarely used. Some points are considered more therapeutically valuable than others, and are used very frequently for a wide array of health conditions.
Non-meridian points
Additionally, there are microsystems of acupoints that are typically not located on the meridians. For example, auriculotherapy uses the external ear microsystem exclusively, utilizing thousands of points that are not on a meridian, but located on the surface of the external ear. The Korean system of hand acupuncture is a microsystem that utilizes acupoints on the hand. There are other common and uncommon acupoints that are called extra points, meaning that they are neither on a meridian nor part of a microsystem.
Basic acupoints are referred to either by their traditional name, or by the name of the meridian on which they are located, followed by a number to indicate what order the point is in on the meridian. A common point on the hand, for example, is named Hegu, and referred to as LI 4 which means that it is the fourth point on the Large Intestine meridian. Extra points are referred to more often by name, though some of the more commonly known have a letter/number combination for reference. A popular extra point is Yintang, located at the midpoint between the eyebrows.
External links
- Acupuncture Points Complete Acupuncture Point Listing (Includes point locations, actions & indications) for over 360 points.
- Acuxo A graphical listing of acupuncture points