Acupuncture Charts - A Closer Look At The 14 Meridians

Acupuncture Charts - A Closer Look At The 14 Meridians
By Brian Winkels

Standard charts can be purchased that aid in
identifying the name and locations of the meridian and acupoints
on the front and back of the human body. An chart
will accurately show the location of the14 primary meridians as
well as some of the extra points. Most charts also
show the names and locations of meridian and acupoints on
lateral sides of the human body. Normally, they also have the
international standard nomenclature and alphanumeric codes.

Some charts come in sets that may be further
divided into smaller sets that show the acupoints on the whole
body surface (i.e. the back, neck, front, back and lateral sides
of the human body, as well as the trunk of the body and other
parts of the anatomy contained in different layers). There are
also charts that show the upper limbs. Other charts
will show the entire human anatomy while others simply show
regions of the human anatomy.

The chart first became prevalent during the Ming
Dynasty (1368 - 1644) when the Chinese first printed vernacular
literature in great numbers. However, over the ensuing hundreds
of years they have become increasingly well known. Acupuncture
charts appeared in manuals dealing with Chinese medicine and the
purpose was both to instruct and identify the proper location of
the acupoints. In addition to the reasons just given acupuncture
charts were maintained for Chinese medicine which included
reflexology, moxibution, massage and a number of other
specialties.

Illustrations Aid in Understanding

Acupuncture charts don't explain how to needle the body but
rather are diagrams that show the path of channels or meridian
conduits as well as the location of points. Because
there are a great deal of points, the acupuncture
charts can only display a fraction of the channels and
acupuncture points which are being discussed in the text of the
chart. As a result, many charts correspond with the
specific body part, body function or disorder that needs to be
treated.

A few common charts are for the ear, foot, head and
stomach. Other charts also describe healing methods of hot and
cold diseases as well as other ailments.

The bottom line with charts is that their primary
function is to serve as a visual enhancement to the text and
they are not intended to stand alone.

Tip - For more information on and Chinese Medicine,
check out the links below.

About the Author: Visit http://www.acupuncture-gateway.com or
http://www.acupuncture-gateway.com/links.html or
http://www.acupuncture-gateway.com/sitemap1.html for more
information on and Chinese medicine.

Source: http://www.isnare.com

Permanent Link:
http://www.isnare.com/?aid=127494&ca=Medicines+and+Remedies