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How are acupuncture points related to meridians in traditional Chinese medicine?

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Moxibustion — traditional Chinese medicine In moxibustion, or moxa treatment, small cones of an herb (typically *Artemisia moxa*) are burned on top of needles placed in designated points of the body, generally the same points as those used in acupuncture.

In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), acupuncture points are specific locations situated along invisible pathways known as meridians. These meridians serve as the network through which qi—the body's vital life force—flows.12

The relationship between these points and meridians is functional:
* Stimulation: Acupuncture involves inserting thin needles into these precise points to stimulate the meridians. This process is intended to readjust the flow of qi, helping to balance the body's yin and yang and restore health.12
* Network Connectivity: There are 12 major meridians, each associated with a specific visceral organ. Because these meridians form an interconnected network, practitioners can insert needles at points distant from the area being treated to influence specific organs or conditions.12
* Alternative Methods: In addition to needles, these points can be stimulated through acupressure or moxibustion, which involves burning herbs at the site of the point to affect the meridian's energy flow.1