Acupuncture is an alternative medicine technique that involves inserting thin needles into the body at specific points. It originated in ancient China over 2000 years ago and is based on traditional Chinese medicine theories of balancing qi or energy flow. While some research has found acupuncture activates certain brain areas, the exact definition and location of acupuncture points remains controversial as the anatomy and physiology of these points is not well understood. One acupuncture point is LI-4, located on the hand between the thumb and index finger, which is believed to help release grief and promote calmness when pressed.

1. Acupuncture

2. What is it? Acupuncture is an alternative medicine that treats patients by insertion and manipulation of needles in the body. Its proponents variously claim that it relieves pain, treats infertility, treats disease, prevents disease, promotes general health, or can be used for therapeutic purposes. Acupuncture typically incorporates traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) as an integral part of its practice and theory.

3. Where did acupuncture come? It is being claimed that Chinese acupuncture has been around for at least four millennia. There is evidence that in the Stone Age, Chinese treated painful abscesses by using sharp knives of stone, a practice called 'Bian' in Chinese. Historical records attest that the practice is at least 2000 years old.

4. Acupuncture points Acupuncture points are locations on the body; several hundred acupuncture points are considered to be located along meridians (connected points across the anatomy which affect a specific organ or other part of the body). There are also numerous "extra points" not associated with a particular meridian. Despite considerable efforts to understand the anatomy and physiology of the "acupuncture points", the definition and characterization of these points remains controversial. Research has been published suggesting acupuncture points may be associated activation of specific brain areas using functional magnetic resonance imaging or areas of low electrical impedance in the body but overall evidence for the existence of acupuncture points is not compelling.

5. Points

6. You can try if you want!! Acupressure point LI-4 -Name: Joining of the Valleys (Large Intestine 4)-Location: On the top side of the hand, on the web between thumb and index finger. To locate, squeeze the thumb against the base of the index finger. The point is located on the highest point of the bulge of the muscle, level with the end of the crease.-Use: Press. -Warning: Don't use this point during pregnancy.-Effects: Letting go of grief. Calms.