TCM & Acupuncture Glossary

Reviewed by · Licensed Acupuncturist & TCM Physician · Last reviewed June 2026

Plain-language definitions of 277 Traditional Chinese Medicine and acupuncture terms — from Qi, Yin-Yang and the Five Phases to pulse qualities, patterns and point categories.

Acupuncture Technique

AcupressureAcupunctureBleeding TechniqueCuppingDe QiDirect MoxibustionElectroacupunctureFiliform NeedleGuashaIndirect MoxibustionIntradermal NeedleMoving CuppingMoxibustionNeedle AngleNeedle DepthNeedle ManipulationNeedlingPlum Blossom NeedleReducing MethodReinforcing MethodRetaining NeedlesSeven-Star NeedleThread EmbeddingWarm Needling

Channels & Vessels

Bladder Channel of Foot TaiyangChong Mai (Penetrating Vessel)Dai Mai (Belt Vessel)Du Mai (Governing Vessel)Eight Extraordinary VesselsGallbladder Channel of Foot ShaoyangHeart Channel of Hand ShaoyinKidney Channel of Foot ShaoyinLarge Intestine Channel of Hand YangmingLiver Channel of Foot JueyinLung Channel of Hand TaiyinLuo Mai (Collaterals)Pericardium Channel of Hand JueyinRen Mai (Conception Vessel)San Jiao Channel of Hand ShaoyangSmall Intestine Channel of Hand TaiyangSpleen Channel of Foot TaiyinStomach Channel of Foot YangmingSuperficial CollateralsTwelve Primary ChannelsTwelve Primary CollateralsYang Qiao Mai (Yang Motility Vessel)Yang Wei Mai (Yang Linking Vessel)Yin Qiao Mai (Yin Motility Vessel)Yin Wei Mai (Yin Linking Vessel)

Diagnostic Methods

Abdominal PalpationAuscultation and OlfactionBody OdorsChief ComplaintChills and FeverComplexionDiet and TasteFour ExaminationsInquiryInspectionMedical HistoryPainPalpationPulse DiagnosisPulse PositionsPulse QualitiesSleepSweatingTen QuestionsTongue BodyTongue DiagnosisUrination and DefecationVoice Quality

Etiology / Pathogenic Factors

AngerColdConstitutional FactorsDampnessDeficiency of Qi, Blood, Yin, or YangDrynessEpidemic PathogensFearImproper DietJoy / Over-excitementOverwork / Excessive RestParasites / PoisonsPhlegmSadness / GriefShockStagnation of Qi and BloodSummer-HeatTrauma / InjuryWindWorry / Pensiveness

Fundamental Theory

BloodBody Fluids (Jin-Ye)Controlling Cycle (Ke Cycle)EarthFireFive Phases TheoryGenerating Cycle (Sheng Cycle)HolismInsulting Cycle (Wu Cycle)Interdependence of Yin and YangJing (Essence)Meridians (Jing-Luo)MetalMutual Opposition of Yin and YangMutual Transformation of Yin and YangOveracting Cycle (Cheng Cycle)QiRelative Balance of Yin and YangShen (Spirit)WaterWoodYangYinYin-Yang TheoryZang-Fu Organs

Pattern Differentiation

Cold PatternDeficiency PatternEight PrinciplesExcess PatternExterior PatternHeart Blood DeficiencyHeat PatternInterior PatternKidney Yin DeficiencyLiver Qi StagnationLung Qi DeficiencySpleen Qi DeficiencyStomach FireWind-ColdWind-HeatYang DeficiencyYang PatternYin DeficiencyYin Pattern

Point Categories

Back-Shu PointsCommand PointsCrossing PointsEight Confluent PointsEntry and Exit PointsFive Shu PointsFour Seas PointsFront-Mu PointsGathering PointsGhost PointsHe-Sea PointsHeavenly Star PointsJing-River PointsJing-Well PointsLower He-Sea PointsLuo-Connecting PointsRoot and Branch PointsShu-Stream PointsSun Si Miao's 13 Ghost PointsWindow of Heaven PointsXi-Cleft PointsYing-Spring PointsYuan-Source Points

Pulse Diagnosis

Big PulseChoppy PulseDeep PulseDrumskin PulseEmpty PulseFaint PulseFloating PulseFull PulseHidden PulseHollow PulseHurried PulseIntermittent PulseLong PulseLooose PulseModerate PulseMoving PulseRapid PulseScattered PulseShort PulseSlippery PulseSlow PulseThready PulseTight PulseWiry Pulse

Tongue Diagnosis

Black CoatingCracked TongueDeep Red TongueDry CoatingFlaccid TongueGeographic TongueGreasy CoatingPale TonguePeeled CoatingPurple TongueRed TongueRooted CoatingRootless CoatingStiff TongueSwollen TongueTeeth MarksThick CoatingThin TongueThin White CoatingTongue Body ColorTongue Body ShapeTongue CoatingTrembling TongueWhite CoatingYellow Coating

Treatment Principles

AstringeCalm the SpiritClear HeatDispel ColdDispel Food StagnationDispel WindDrainExtinguish WindHarmonizeInduce VomitingInvigorate BloodMoisten DrynessOpen OrificesOpen the ChannelsPromote UrinationPurgeRegulate QiRelease the ExteriorResolve DampnessResolve PhlegmStop BleedingSubdue Liver YangTonifyWarm

Vital Substances

Blood DeficiencyBlood HeatBlood StasisBody FluidsDefensive QiDisturbed SpiritEssenceEssence DeficiencyFluid DeficiencyGathering QiKidney EssenceNutritive QiOrgan QiOriginal QiPost-natal EssencePre-natal EssenceQi CollapseQi DeficiencyQi StagnationSpiritSpirit DeficiencyThick FluidsThin Fluids

Zang-Fu Organs

Blood VesselsBrainExtraordinary Fu OrgansFu OrgansGallbladderHeartKidneyLarge IntestineLiverLower JiaoLungMarrowMiddle JiaoPericardiumSan Jiao (Triple Burner)Small IntestineSpleenStomachUpper JiaoUrinary BladderUterusZang Organs
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⚠️ This page is for general education and is not medical advice. Acupuncture is a traditional practice; evidence varies by condition and study quality, and individual results differ. It does not replace diagnosis or treatment by a licensed professional. Always consult a qualified acupuncturist or physician.