Being dated back to at least 3000 BC, acupuncture ranks among the oldest forms of health care known to man. It may even date back as far as the Stone Age, according to expert theories. Many people have heard of this form of medicine, but what exactly does it all mean? How does this form of treatment actually contribute to our health with such things as meridians? It’s time to look deeper into the subject of how different meridians affect your body.

The Meaning of Acupuncture

Acupuncture is used to balance energy levels and eliminate blockages, which may be preventing your health from achieving its optimum state. The energy system of the body can be manipulated with the use of very fine acupuncture needles. This energy system flows through the body, and can be accessed via a variety of 500 specific acupuncture points found along what is called the acupuncture meridians. These points are related to every system and function of the body, housing both positive and negative energy.

The Meridians

Consider the Yin and Yang to be opposite sides of the same coin. When in balance, your health and happiness are at their optimum point. When unbalanced however, so is life and health. The 500 acupuncture points are found in what are called meridians, which run along your arms and legs.

All aspects of life which are negative and dark, passive and cold or wet and feminine fall amongst the ranks of the Yin. All aspects positive and bright, active and dry or hot and masculine fall within Yang. The Yin and Yang are also found within the 12 main meridians.

These twelve meridians are located:

Along the inside of your arms from your body to your fingertips – Yin

At the outside of your arms, fingertips to face – Yang

The outside of your leg from face to feet – also Yang points

At the inside of your leg, from feet to body – Yin

These 12 main meridians affect the following organs:

1. Lungs

2. Large Intestine

3. Stomach

4. Spleen

5. Heart

6. Small Intestine

7. Urinary Bladder

8. Kidney

9. Pericardium

10. Triple Warmer – This meridian affects the thyroid and the adrenal glands which regulate your metabolism and affect your immune system and has a profound affect on your stress reaction.

11. Gall Bladder

12. Liver

Yin Arm meridians include your lung, heart, and pericardium and the Yang Arm include your large intestine, small intestine, and triple warmer. Your leg Yin Meridians are your spleen, kidney, and liver and your leg Yang Meridians are your stomach, bladder, and gall bladder.

Each of your organs, as you probably already know, play a valuable and essential function in the effectiveness of your overall health and the optimal functioning of your body. When one is out of balance, blocked, or not functioning optimally your entire body and even your emotional state can be significantly affected.

Acupuncture and the practice of balancing the body’s energy through accessing meridians is a long standing healing method for a reason – it works.