Acupuncture point 1

    Acupuncture point

    Point LI-4 known in Chinese as 合 谷 (hégǔ)

    Acupuncture points (Chinese: 腧 穴 or Chinese: 穴 位, also called

    acupoints) are locations on the body that are the focus of acupuncture,acupressure, sonopuncture and laser acupuncture treatment. Several

    hundred acupuncture points are considered to be located along

    meridians (connected points across the anatomy which affect a specific

    organ or other part of the body). There are also numerous extra

    points not associated with a particular meridian.

    They are different from Japanese shiatsu points,[citation needed]

    although

    Japanese acupuncture uses TCM acupuncture points.

    [citation needed]

    Despite considerable efforts to understand the anatomy and physiology

    of the acupuncture points, the definition and characterization of these

    points remains controversial. Evidence for the anatomical existence of

    acupuncture points is not compelling.

    Theory

    Acupoints used in treatment may or may not be in the same area of the

    body as the targeted symptom. The Traditional Chinese Medicine

    (TCM) theory for the selection of such points and their effectiveness is that they work by stimulating the meridian

    system to bring about relief by rebalancing yin, yang and qi (also spelled chi or ki). This theory is based on the

    paradigm of TCM and has no analogue in western medicine.

    Body acupoints are generally located using a measurement unit, called the cun, 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. 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.

    Points tend to be located where nerves enter a muscle, the midpoint of the muscle, or at the enthesis where the

    muscle joins with the bone. Location by palpation for tenderness is also a common way of locating acupoints (see

    also trigger point). 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.

    Body 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.

    Acupuncture points often have allusive, poetic names that developed over the course of centuries, often involving

    synonyms to ensure similar points are located on the appropriate limb. A total of 360 points are generally

    recognized, but the number of points has changed over the centuries. Roughly 23 of the points are considered ......