Acupuncture points are essential knowledge for every practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). However, the human body has numerous and complex acupuncture points, making it challenging to locate them accurately. This article provides the effects and locations of commonly used acupuncture points to help you find them accurately!
1. Common Acupuncture Points for the Head and Face
1. Baihui (Hundred Meetings)
[Location]
At the intersection of the midline of the head and the line connecting the tips of both ears.
[Indications]
Headache, dizziness, hypertension, prolapse of the rectum, etc.
2. Taiyang (Sun)
[Location]
Between the end of the eyebrow and the outer corner of the eye, about 1 inch back in a depression.
[Indications]
Headache, migraine, eye diseases, facial paralysis.
3. Yangbai (Yang White)
[Location]
On the forehead, directly above the pupil, 1 inch above the eyebrow.
[Indications]
Facial paralysis, headache, eye diseases.
4. Cuanzhu (Gathering Bamboo)
[Location]
At the inner end of the eyebrow.
[Indications]
Headache, eye diseases, pain in the brow bone, facial paralysis.
5. Jingming (Eye Bright)
[Location]
With eyes closed, 0.1 inch above the inner canthus of the eye.
[Indications]
Various ophthalmic conditions, facial paralysis.
6. Fengchi (Wind Pool)
[Location]
In the depression between the sternocleidomastoid muscle and the trapezius muscle, level with the mastoid process.
[Indications]
Common cold, headache, dizziness, stiff neck, eye diseases, hypertension.
7. Fengfu (Wind Palace)
[Location]
1 inch directly above the midpoint of the hairline at the back of the head.
[Indications]
Dizziness, neck pain, aphasia after stroke, hysteria, sore throat, etc.
8. Yingxiang (Welcome Fragrance)
[Location]
0.5 inch beside the wing of the nose.
[Indications]
Rhinitis, nasal congestion, facial asymmetry.
9. Yintang (Hall of Impression)
[Location]
At the midpoint of the line connecting the two eyebrows.
[Indications]
Headache, dizziness, nasal diseases, skin diseases, hypertension.
10. Renzhong (Human Center)
[Location]
At the junction of the upper third and lower two-thirds of the philtrum.
[Indications]
Coma, mania, facial asymmetry, lumbar pain.
11. Shenting (Spirit Court)
[Location]
0.5 inch directly above the midpoint of the hairline at the front of the head.
[Indications]
Headache, dizziness, eye diseases, aphasia, mania.
12. Touwei (Head Corner)
[Location]
0.5 inch above the hairline at the forehead corner.
[Indications]
Headache, dizziness, eye diseases.
Many people find the concept of TCM meridians and acupuncture point health maintenance mysterious and out of reach. In fact, the methods of TCM acupuncture point health maintenance are very simple, and many techniques can be self-administered, such as massage, moxibustion, and cupping.
2. Common Acupuncture Points for the Chest and Abdomen
13. Danzhong (Chest Center)
[Location]
Between the two breasts, on the midline of the sternum, at the level of the fourth intercostal space.
[Indications]
Bronchitis, asthma, chest pain, intercostal neuralgia, coronary heart disease.
14. Zhongwan (Middle Stomach)
[Location]
On the abdomen, on the anterior midline, 4 inches above the navel.
[Indications]
Stomach pain, gastric ulcer, chronic gastritis, vomiting, hiccups, etc.
15. Tianshu (Heavenly Pivot)
[Location]
On the abdomen, 2 inches beside the navel.
[Indications]
Acute and chronic gastritis, enteritis, dysentery, constipation, etc.
16. Qihai (Sea of Qi)
[Location]
On the abdomen, on the anterior midline, 1.5 inches below the navel.
[Indications]
Abdominal distension, abdominal pain, qi deficiency.
17. Guanyuan (Pass of Origin)
[Location]
On the abdomen, on the anterior midline, 3 inches below the navel.
[Indications]
Abdominal pain, abdominal diseases, urinary tract infections, menstrual irregularities, sexual dysfunction.
18. Daheng (Great Horizontal)
[Location]
4 inches beside the navel.
[Indications]
Diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain.
The human meridian system is a vast pharmacy! Regularly massaging acupuncture points can utilize the body’s own medicinal resources, reducing reliance on external medications.
In fact, taking medicine is about utilizing the various properties of the medicine, through digestion in the stomach, detoxification in the liver and kidneys, and absorption in the intestines, to provide the organs with the nutrients they particularly lack, achieving a balance of yin and yang in the body. If we can achieve such effects without relying on external intake, why not?
3. Common Acupuncture Points for the Upper Limbs
19. Quchi (Pool at the Bend)
[Location]
With the elbow bent at a right angle, at the midpoint of the line connecting the lateral epicondyle of the humerus and the elbow crease.
[Indications]
Pain in the upper limb joints, paralysis, numbness, hypertension, high fever, allergic diseases, skin diseases, etc.
20. Hegu (Joining Valley)
[Location]
At the midpoint of the first and second metacarpal bones.
[Indications]
Common cold, diseases of the five sense organs, facial nerve paralysis, neurological diseases, various pains, etc.
21. Chize (Cubit Marsh)
[Location]
At the elbow crease, lateral to the biceps tendon.
[Indications]
Cough, asthma, sore throat, arm pain, elbow joint pain, skin diseases, etc.
22. Neiguan (Inner Pass)
[Location]
With the arm extended and palm facing up, on the inner side of the forearm, 2 inches above the wrist crease, between the two tendons.
[Indications]
Heart diseases, neurological disorders, mental disorders, stomach pain, vomiting, various pains, etc.
23. Laogong (Palace of Labor)
[Location]
At the center of the palm, where the tip of the middle finger touches when making a fist.
[Indications]
Coma from stroke, angina, hysteria, finger numbness, palm pain, etc.
24. Shenmen (Spirit Gate)
[Location]
On the ulnar side of the wrist, in the depression on the radial side of the flexor carpi ulnaris tendon.
[Indications]
Heart pain, irritability, palpitations, forgetfulness, insomnia.
25. Waiguan (Outer Pass)
[Location]
2 inches above the wrist crease on the back of the hand, between the radius and the ulna.
[Indications]
Fever, headache, deafness, tinnitus, difficulty in flexing and extending the elbow and arm.
26. Niuan (Twist Injury)
[Location]
With the elbow bent, palm facing inward, at the junction of the upper 1/4 and lower 3/4 of the line connecting Quchi and the wrist crease.
[Indications]
Acute lumbar sprain.
Acupuncture point therapy has indeed shown high effectiveness in treating diseases, which has been recognized by many. Recently, scientific methods have also been gradually used to analyze its effects.
4. Common Acupuncture Points for the Lower Limbs
27. Huantiao (Jumping Circle)
[Location]
At the junction of the outer 1/3 and inner 2/3 of the line connecting the highest point of the greater trochanter and the sacral hiatus.
[Indications]
Lumbar and leg pain, sciatica, lower limb paralysis, numbness, etc.
28. Xuehai (Blood Sea)
[Location]
2 inches above the inner side of the patella.
[Indications]
Menstrual irregularities, metrorrhagia, amenorrhea, inner thigh pain, etc.
29. Zusanli (Three Miles from the Foot)
[Location]
3 inches below the outer knee, about one finger breadth lateral to the tibia.
[Indications]
Digestive disorders, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, acute gastroenteritis, arthritis, lower limb paralysis, hemiplegia, etc.
30. Yanglingquan (Yang Mound Spring)
[Location]
With the knee bent, in the depression just below the head of the fibula.
[Indications]
Liver and gallbladder diseases, hypertension, hemiplegia, lower limb numbness and pain.
31. Weizhong (Middle of the Weaving)
[Location]
At the midpoint of the transverse crease of the popliteal fossa.
[Indications]
Acute gastritis, vomiting, lumbar and leg pain, sciatica, arthritis, hemiplegia, low back pain, psoriasis, etc.
32. Chengshan (Supporting Mountain)
[Location]
At the apex of the depression between the two heads of the gastrocnemius muscle.
[Indications]
Lumbar pain, gastrocnemius muscle cramps, constipation, etc.
33. Sanyinjiao (Three Yin Intersection)
[Location]
3 inches directly above the highest point of the inner ankle, at the posterior border of the tibia.
[Indications]
Gynecological and reproductive system diseases, lower abdominal pain, diarrhea, eczema, neurodermatitis, urticaria, etc.
34. Xuanzhong (Suspended Bell)
[Location]
3 inches above the highest point of the outer ankle, at the posterior border of the fibula.
[Indications]
Costal pain, abdominal distension, pain in the foot and calf, hemorrhoidal bleeding, etc.
35. Yongquan (Gushing Spring)
[Location]
On the sole of the foot, in the depression formed when the toes are flexed.
[Indications]
Headache, dizziness, fainting, sore throat, difficulty urinating, constipation, coma, etc.
Conclusion:
Acupuncture points are located along the pathways of energy flow, known as “meridians”. The correct term for acupuncture points should be “jingxue” (meridian points).
If there are abnormalities in the internal organs, they will reflect on the meridians associated with those organs, further reflecting on the acupuncture points where energy flow is obstructed.
Therefore, by stimulating these acupuncture points, we can facilitate the smooth flow of energy and achieve therapeutic effects, which is the purpose of acupuncture therapy.
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