Benefits of Acupuncture

Acupuncture points are areas in the body where acupuncture, sonopuncture or acupressure is applied in order to treat a particular part of the body and achieve natural healing.

These acu points are located in strategic areas such as the junction of a muscle and nerve, the middle of a muscle, and the junction where the bones and joints connect. They can also be located in areas where there is a difference in temperature on the surface of the skin.

Acupuncture points are said to be situated in areas called meridians, places that influence a specific organ of the body or systems of the body.

Meridians, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine, refer to a road or pathway where the "qi" or life force flows freely.

Acupuncture, a type of alternative medicine, originated from Traditional Chinese Medicine in which nerve fibers in the muscles are stimulated to stop pain by sending nerve impulses to three important parts of the brain: the midbrain, the spinal cord and the hypothalamus-pituitary.

The World Health Organization has prepared a list of acupuncture points to serve as guide to those who practice acupuncture and acupressure.

In acupuncture it is believed that the pulse contains much more information about body ailments. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the pulse possesses 28 qualities which represent different types of diseases further classified into 6 major categories:

The Floating pulse

The Sunken pulse

The Slow pulse

The Rapid pulse

The Slippery pulse

The choppy, rough pulse

THE 8 EXTRAORDINARY MERIDIANS. The difference between the 12 and 8 meridians is that the 8 special meridians do not refer to the internal organs or what the Chinese call Zang Fu, as they only refer to storage and source of energy.

Conception Vessel

Governing Vessel

Penetrating Vessel

Girdle Vessel

Yin Linking Vessel

Yan Linking Vessel

Yin Heel Vessel

Yang Heel Vessel

Spleen Meridian.

The spleen-meridian is the center of body metabolism. This is where all metabolic activities are initiated, where food is broken down into pieces and where body processes are coordinated and orchestrated.

It is a yin meridian that is connected to the heart and stomach meridians and is usually paired with the stomach yang meridian.

The spleen meridian is located beginning from the tip of the toe and runs the middle of the foot, goes up to the inner side of the leg going up to the groin, stomach ending in the diaphragm.

Emotional problems associated with then spleen meridian are poor focus and concentration, forgetfulness, self pity, low self -esteem, worry, addiction, jealousy and concern about the opinion of others.

Heart Meridian

The heart-meridian is the center of emotions associated with love, warmth, laughter. It is identified as a yin meridian and usually paired with the small Intestine meridian

Small Intestine Meridian

The small intestine meridian is a yang meridian that is the center of proper digestion, absorption of nutrients and water and bowel movement. It is always paired with the heart yin meridian.

The small intestine meridian is located beginning from the top of the little finger and runs through the wrist going up to the back side of the arm to the back of the shoulder ending at the back of the neck. From the back of the neck, it goes to the front of the neck, goes through the cheek then to the external part of the eye ending in the ear.

Bladder Meridian

Kidney Meridian

Pericardium Meridian

Triple Burner Meridian

Gallbladder Meridian

Liver Meridian

Lung Meridian

Large Intestine Meridian

Stomach Meridian.This is the center of life's worries, problems, stresses.

Governing vessel

Conception vessel

Extra points