Acupuncture Points » Acupuncture Meridians Chart
Acupuncture
We’ve all heard about it. The legendary 6000 year old medical treatment that involves driving small stainless steel spikes into the skin. But what is acupuncture really? How does it work? Does it hurt?
Acupuncture is a process of healing that works based upon a system of 12 meridians in the body, the same meridians that Tai Chi practitioners use to channel the flow of their chi. These meridians flow from each of the vital organs the lung, large intestine, stomach, spleen-pancreas, heart, small intestine, bladder, kidney, heart constrictor, triple heater, gallbladder, and liver. Chi Kung practitioners often visualize these channels in the arms and legs, as well as the torso (Governing and Conception meridians) to open up their chi paths and promote health in the corresponding internal organs.
When you insert a needle into these same paths, you can change the flow of chi. The body automatically fights any invasion, so when the needle is inserted, the flow of chi to that point increases. If you increase the flow of chi in a meridian, you can strengthen that meridian and internal organ. Also, by pulling the chi down a level in the meridian lines, you weaken the meridian above it, which is useful for removing blockages or chi build up. By creating the proper configuration of needles, you can balance the body’s energy.
Does it hurt? Acupuncture needles are very tiny; they range from about .12 mm to .3 mm in diameter. How big is that? Well, the hair on your arm is about .1mm in diameter. If you want an approximation of what it feels like to get acupuncture grab a single hair and give it a good yank.
Did you actually do it…?
Acupuncture hurts less than that, most people cannot even feel the needles. This is a basic overview of acupuncture, there is much more to know, but maybe I’ve taught you something new.
Trey Williams apprentice acupuncturist
Source: www.articledashboard.com