Traditional Chinese Medicine 101: What Are Acupuncture Points?

Shedding Light on the Acupuncture Points

Today, we’re going to discuss the acupuncture points to shed some light on their mysterious names and their use in modern, clinical treatments.

 As discussed in my What is Acupuncture post I wrote in my Foundation Series, acupuncture uses thin, sterilized filiform needles to pierce specific points on the body to initiate a physiological change. But the meaning of the acupuncture points goes far deeper than that of the needles. Acupuncture is steeped in the ancient medical traditions of China; therefore, it should come as no surprise that the point names and indications would also be rich and complex. 

 The names themselves are poetic and layered but are also impart practical wisdom

The point name along with the Chinese character would give a native speaker a wealth of information upon which they can glean what the point can do on a multitude of levels. Early Chinese culture permeates each point, enriching it with philosophy, religion, mythology, fengshui, architecture; like any civilization, it places it’s stamp on all facets of life including medicine.

 If you were to open a modern acupuncture atlas, beside each point would have its Chinese or Han Pinyin name, then it’s Ran or Chinese character, anatomical location, physiological function and finally its spirit and/or it’s elemental application. This description allows each point to have a distinct and unified meaning indicating to the practitioner both its power and potential in the treatment of dis-ease.

 Let’s look at specific point, Lung 9 or Taiyuan. The name Tai means great, abundant or supreme and Yuan means deep pool or abyss; it could be said the Qi of the entire Lung Meridian at this point is as abundant and deep as an abyss. It is located on the wrists, in the depression on the lateral side of the radial artery; when palpating your finger will slide into this gap. As an acupuncturist, I may use Taiyuan (in concert with other points) to tonify the Qi of the Lungs if I found them to be weak.  

 Each of the 361 acupuncture points all possess a vivid name, saturated with meaning and instruction

Understanding all the facets of a point gives a practitioner a profound perspective when selecting them for treatment.

I often tell my patients that the points I chose is unique to that individual; each acupuncture point is like a note in a song that was made just for them.

 If you would like to delve deeper, check out The Nature of Points. This marvellous project uses incredible imagery along with text to describe the acupuncture points that respect and admire its traditional roots.

If you’d like to Book an Acupuncture session and see of yourself, click Here!