History Acupuncture and moxibustion are an important invention of the Chinese nation that originated as early as in the clan commune period of the primitive society   Yin - Yang The theory of yin - yang is a conceptual framework, which was used for observing and analyzing the material world in ancient China. Yin and yang are a philosophical conceptualization, a means to generalize the two opposite principles, which may be observed in all related phenomena within the natural world. They may represent two separate phenomena with opposing natures, as well as different and opposite aspects within the same phenomenon   Five elements The five elements refer to five categories in the natural world, namely wood, fire, earth, metal and water. The theory of the five elements holds that all phenomena in the universe correspond in nature either to wood, fire, earth, metal or water, and that these are in a state of constant motion and change. The law of movement of the five elements mainly manifests in the following ways : interpromoting, interacting, overacting, counteracting, and mutual interaction between mother and son   Zang - Fu organs Zang - fu is the general term for the organs of the human body, and includes the six zang organs, the six fu organs and the extraordinary fu organs. The heart, lung, spleen, liver, kidney and pericardium are known as the six zang organs. The gallbladder, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, bladder and sanjiao are known as the six fu organs. The brain, marrow, bones, vessels, gallbladder and uterus are known as the " extraordinary fu " organs   Meridians & Collaterals The meridians and collaterals are pathways in which the qi and blood of the human body are circulated. They pertain to the zang - fu organs interiorly and extend over the body exteriorly, forming a network and linking the tissues and organs into an organic whole. The meridians, which constitute the main trunks, run longitude and interiorly within the body ; while the collaterals, which represent branches of the meridians, run transversely and superficially from the meridians. This system of meridians and collaterals includes the twelve regular meridians, eight extra meridians, fifteen collaterals, twelve divergent meridians, twelve muscle regions and twelve cutaneous regions   Acupoints Acupoints are the specific sites through which the qi of the zang - fu organs and meridians is transported to the body surface. The Chinese characters for an acupoint mean respectively " transportation " and " hole. " Acupoints fall into the following three categories in terms of their evolution : Acupoints of the fourteen meridians, Extraordinary Points, Ashi Points Specific points have special theraputic properties : Five Shu Points, Lower He Sea Points of the Six Fu Organs, Back Shu Points, Front Mu Points, Yuan, Luo Points, Eight Confluent Points of the Extra Meridians, Eight Influential Points of the Eight Tissues, Crossing Points etc.   Qi According to ancient Chinese thought qi did the fundamental substance constitute the universe, and the changes and movement of qi produced all phenomena. This viewpoint greatly influenced the theory of traditional Chinese medicine. Generally speaking, the word " qi " in traditional Chinese medicine denotes both the essential substances of the human body, which maintain its vital activities, and the functional activities of the zang - fu organs and tissues   Blood As the fundamental substances required in blood formation originate from food essence produced by the spleen and stomach, these two organs are regarded as the source of qi and blood. After being formed, blood normally circulates in the vessels throughout the body, and is acted upon jointly by the heart, liver and spleen. The heart dominates the blood and vessels, and the propelling force of heart qi is the basis of blood circulation. The spleen qi controls blood and prevent extravasation. The liver promotes the free flow of qi, stores blood and regulates its volume   Body Fluid Body fluid is a collective term for all the normal fluids of the body. These are saliva, gastric juice, intestinal juice and the liquids in the joint cavities, as well as tears, nasal discharge, sweat and urine