All acupuncture points treat disorders of local as well as adjacent tissues. It is a key principle in the therapeutics of acupuncture.  It is not certain that each and every point has a constant overflow effect, but it varies from different sites of body as well as from point to point.

   All meridian points treat disorders occurring on the pathway of the meridian, diseases of corresponding internal organ and related tissue. For e.g. the point Taiyuan (Lu-9) treats the disorders of wrist joint, lung disorders, nose disorders and skin disorders. The lung meridian is related to  the skin tissue and hence it treats the skin disorders, secondly the lung meridian is connected with its pertaining organ-lung through the meridian and therefore it treats  lung disorders.

  The acupuncture points have physiological and psychological effects. Modern research work confirmed that certain acupuncture points produce physiological and psychological effects when they are needled, evoking some complex neuronal mechanism. The following are the effects produced by needling:
 *  Analgesia
 *  Sedation
 *  Immunity improvement
 *  Motor recovery
 *  Toning
 *  Homeostasis
 *  Psychological

   Points situated distal to elbow and distal to knee joints treat the disorders of the proximal areas of the body. This principle is also very frequently used in the routine practice of acupuncture. The extreme areas of the body have more  innervations than the central areas and therefore the distal points have definite effect over the proximal areas of the body. The important distal points are listed below:

As-Shi Point

  The points which become tender during the diseased state are called ah-shi points. Some points become tender and discoloured particularly in locomotors disorders, rheumatic group of disorders, degenerative diseases and neuralgic conditions. In acupuncture they are known as “Ah-shi” points or trigger spots. 

According to modern concept these points show lowered electrical resistance than the surrounding tissue. By needling, it can be increased, and thereby the pain will be relieved. Many therapists have experienced that the “Ah-shi” points can be pricked to obtain better therapeutic effect. It should be taken into account that ”Ah-shi” points are not the acupuncture points.

Alarm Point

Jing-well Points

  The end or starting points of the meridians which treat acute emergencies like shock, cardiac arrest, fainting etc. are called Jing-well Points. There are twenty-five Jing-well points situated on the finger  and toe tips for the paired meridians of the body, including Renzhong (GV-26), which is situated on the face over the governing vessel meridian.

Out of these Jing-well points, Renzhong (GV-26) and Yongquan (K-1) are the most effective and important. In acupuncture practice vaso-vagal attack (fainting) is very common with needling. It can be relieved by applying acupressure over Renzhong (GV-26) and needling on Yongquam (K-1). The result is quite dramatic.

Xi-cleft Points 

  The points which treat acute disorders of internal organs are called Xi-cleft points. There are twelve paired Xi-cleft points in the body. They are situated on the twelve-paired meridians and each pair is for the each corresponding internal organ. It should be borne in mind that these Xi-cleft points are used for acute disorders of corresponding organs and their related tissues. Strong stimulation over these points is very effective.
 

Yuan-source Points 

  The points which treat sub-acute and chronic disorders of pertaining organs are called Yuan-source points. According to the Chinese concept, these points possess maximum amount of vital energy (Qi). At the Yuan-source points the vital energy is converted from Yin to Yang or vice-versa. It should be remembered that a collateral branch with Luo-connecting points of couple meridian connects each Yuan source point. Needling on Yuan-source points restores  the imbalance of vital energy.

Luo-connecting Points

  The points which connect couple meridians by collateral branches are called Luo-connecting points. According to traditional Chinese concept the Luo-connecting points are communicated with the Yuan-source points of couple meridians by collateral branches. 

The vital energy (Qi) flows from one meridian to another meridian through these branches. It is believed that the imbalance of vital energy (Qi) can be restored to normal state in couple meridians by needling on Luo-connecting points. Hence Luo-connecting points treat disorders of pertaining and couple organs . For e.g. Lieque (Lu-7) is useful for bronchial asthma and constipation. Combination of Luo-connecting points and Yuan-source points are a very effective form of treatment.

The  paired meridian points are used  to treat the disorders of opposite side when the meridian of same side is contraindicated for some reason. The twelve-paired meridians are connected with the  governing vessel, conceptional vessel and the  remaining six extra-ordinary meridians. It is a neurological concept that both sides of the body are coordinated by corpus callosum, below the brain stem. 

Segmental connection exist in-between spinal cord and body. This neurological explanation signifies bilateral effects of acupuncture. Secondly according to the modern research of endorphin theory, if the effect of acupuncture is due to the release of endorphins, both sides of the body can be utilized for therapeutic affect of any disorders.

Influential Points

  Certain points treat disorders of specific tissues, these are called Influential points. According to traditional Chinese medicine certain points have influential effect over certain specific tissues such as blood, bone, cartilage etc. There are in all eight influential points.

   The modern research shows that all traditional acupuncture points have lowered electrical resistance. During disease process, the electrical resistance is dropped further. In the process of recovery, the resistance gradually returns to the normal level. 

Symptomatic Points

  A group of Symptomatic points have been used from ancient times  to treat some common disorders.