Acupoint
Acupoint
Acupoint (pronunciation: /ˈækjuːˌpɔɪnt/), also known as acupuncture point, is a specific location on the body that is targeted in acupuncture and acupressure for therapeutic effects. The term is derived from the Latin words 'acus' meaning 'needle' and 'punctura' meaning 'to puncture'.
Etymology
The term 'acupoint' is a combination of two words: 'acu' from the Latin 'acus' meaning 'needle', and 'point' from the Latin 'punctum' meaning 'point' or 'prick'. This reflects the method of treatment in acupuncture and acupressure, where these points are stimulated with needles or pressure.
Description
Acupoints are located on meridians, or channels, that are believed to be pathways of energy, or qi, in the body according to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). There are hundreds of acupoints on the body, each associated with a specific condition or set of conditions.
Related Terms
- Acupuncture: A form of treatment that involves inserting very thin needles through a person's skin at specific points on the body, to various depths.
- Acupressure: A form of alternative therapy in which manual pressure is used to stimulate specific points on the body along what are considered to be lines of energy.
- Meridian (Chinese medicine): A path through which the life-energy known as "qi" flows.
- Qi: The vital energy believed to circulate around the body in currents.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Acupoint
- Wikipedia's article - Acupoint
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