Health Network News

We all have many pressure points located throughout our bodies. Our pressure points are small areas throughout our bodies that react to stimuli.

The study of acupuncture works on the principle that an energy or life force called qi, flows throughout the body. Any illness, pain or unwell feelings are generally caused because the natural flow of qi has been interrupted or changed or altered in some way. In order to restore the natural flow of qi to the body, acupuncture points or ‘acupoints’ as they are known, are targeted to achieve this goal.

We have specific acupoints in our bodies that need to be targeted to achieve the results that we look for. Specific points are used for each ailment. Acupuncture has been used by the Chinese culture for well over 3000 years. Pressure points used in acupuncture are the same, whether the treatment be laser acupuncture, acupressure or sonopuncture.

There are hundreds of acupuncture points around our bodies. These pressure points are located on what are named ‘meridians’. Meridians are points that correlate to different parts of our bodies. These meridians may not seem to connect to an untrained person e.g. by treating your hand in order to relieve a headache. In addition to the meridian points, there are also pressure points throughout our bodies. Acupuncture practitioners target the appropriate pressure points, which relieve discomfort and pain experienced by patients.

The correct pressure points need to be treated in order to stimulate the flow of qi back to the part of the body being treated, aiding in the healing of the condition. Acupuncturists are specially trained to know which which parts of the body relate to specific pressure points and are able to locate the exact pressure points for the treatment required to be performed. A headache is a good example. It is vital to know the correct pressure points to stimulate, in order to relieve the pain and get the result you are looking for. The pressure points could be in the hand or foot and may not be anywhere near the head.

Qi flows throughout the body in a never-ending stream so the specific point could be located on the opposite side of the body from where the pain is felt.

Professional acupuncturists use many categories of pressure points to treat different conditions and choose points connected to the part of the body causing pain or discomfort. The Five Transporting Point system is one of the most common methods used. Other methods include the Five Points Phases, Lou-connecting, Xi-Cleft, Back-shu and a number of others.