acupoint

An acupoint, or acupuncture point, is a specific location on the body used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). In TCM theory, the body contains meridians through which qi (vital energy) flows. Acupoints are thought to be access points where qi and blood can be influenced to restore balance and improve organ function and overall health.

Acupoints are distributed along the meridians and are designated by channel name and point number, such as LI4 (Hegu) on the Large Intestine meridian or ST36 (Zusanli) on the Stomach meridian. Points can be local to a symptom or distal, and practitioners differentiate patterns to guide point selection.

Stimulation methods include acupuncture (insertion of fine needles), acupressure (finger or palm pressure), moxibustion (burning mugwort near the point), electroacupuncture (electrical current), and sometimes laser stimulation. The goal is to influence qi and blood flow, reduce pain, and modulate physiological processes according to diagnostic patterns.

In Western medicine, evidence regarding acupoints and acupuncture varies by condition. Some randomized trials show modest benefits for certain chronic pains and other ailments, but overall conclusions are limited by study quality and variability. Safety is generally good when performed by trained practitioners; risks include infection, bleeding, and rare injury from needle insertion.

Acupoints are a central concept in traditional acupuncture and are widely referenced in complementary and alternative medicine beyond TCM.