There are many styles of acupuncture, several “micro-systems” of acupuncture, and many theories on how to pick the location of points to use to treat a given problem. And they all work! There are thousands of acupuncture points on the body. Some are mapped on the meridians and some are single “experience” points that have been documented to have a specific effect for a specific problem. Auricular acupuncture maps the whole body on the ear. Korean style acupuncture maps the whole body on the hand. There are several styles of scalp acupuncture. And there are many methods of manipulating the needles to achieve the desired effect on the energy in the body.
The most powerful points on the body are located from the elbow to the fingertips and from the knee to the tips of the toes. I most often choose to use these points. Though it is perfectly acceptable to do so, I almost never needle the part of the body that has pain.
About the Author:
Joyce Marley is a licensed acupuncturist with a practice in New Hartford, NY. She writes alternative health articles about acupuncture and Chinese medicine.
