There are many reasons acupuncturists use particular points in a treatment.
But what is an acupuncture point? Well, they are identified by hollows in the structure of the body and are areas that are particularly responsive to the flow of Qi, they also lie in channels called meridians. By manipulating the Qi at these points, the body is able to respond by balancing its yin and yang, resulting in harmony and good health.
The main reason an acupuncturist chooses a point is, of course, its function. Particular points are able to restore the balance of Qi, clear Heat, warm the body, clear the Mind and restore the Spirit etc .. the list goes on.
But one of the other things that can steer a practitioner towards a point is it’s name and there are some beautiful and poignant names that work so well.
Take for example a point most acupuncturists will know as Stomach 25. Its Chinese Pin Yin name is Tianshu, which means Heavenly Pivot. Tian means Heavenly and in Chinese Medicine signifies a “Spirit” point, which suggests that this point can effect the emotional and spiritual side of a person as well as having an influence on the abdomen. St25 is level with the umbilicus and is the most distal of the Spirit points lying at the centre of the body between Heaven and Earth. As the name suggests, it is the central place and can be used when a person needs to come back to their “centre”, to realise their true worth and keep them grounded.
I’ll be talking about point names and their functions on my Twitter feeds. So, please follow me to learn more. You can also find me here at www.acuweb.org.uk .
