What is a basic understanding of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)? At the root of TCM is the concept of qi, pronounced “chi”. Qi is translated as the energy, power or force that travels through the body to give vitality to every cell.

Qi travels through your body via pathways called channels or meridians that run vertically, bilaterally and symmetrically. There are 12 primary channels/meridians in the body. Each of the 12 primary channels/meridians corresponds to and connects internally with at least one organ or ZangFu.

The channels/meridians corresponding to the Zang organs are Yin channels/meridians which there are 6 of and the Fu organs are Yang channels/meridians which there are 6 of. There are 2 extra channels/meridians known as the Conception Vessel also known as the Ren channel/meridian and the Governing Vessel as known as Du channel/meridian.

Along each of these pathways throughout each channel/meridian are acupuncture points which are specific in their location and function. Each of the acupuncture points regardless of which channel/meridian it is located on produces different actions and has multiple indications for its use.

There are myriads of ways a practitioner decides on their acupuncture point selection methods and most often involve the combination of multiple acupuncture points for treatment. Among some of the most common methods for diagnosing in TCM which lead the practitioner to their acupuncture point selections for treatment involve reading the Patients Chinese Medicine pulses located on the right and left wrist areas, their observations of the Patient including tongue diagnostics, palpation of the body and most importantly what the Patient states about their previous health history and current signs, symptoms and conditions during their appointments.

Once the practitioner consults with their patient about their past and present health history, performs diagnostic assessments and gets consent for treatment, acupuncture point selections are needled to give treatment to the patient.

Please note this a very general description and brief introduction to TCM, I am more than happy to go deeper with patients as we work together towards your health and wellness goals if interested.