What are meridians (channels)?
Acupuncture points are not randomly located on the body. A majority of them lie on what are traditionally known as meridians or channels. These meridians are traditionally viewed as pathways of Qi (energy) in the body. Just like the nervous and vascular systems, they connect different parts of the body with one another. In this way, meridians help explain how placing a needle in one point on the body can influence an area on a different part of the body. For example, there are points in the hands and feet that are commonly used to treat headaches.
