Classical texts describe most discuss of the main acupuncture points as existing on the twelve main and two of eight extra meridians (also referred to as mai) for a total of fourteen "channels" through which qi and Blood flow. Other points not on the fourteen channels are also needled. Local pain is treated by needling the tender "ashi" points where qi or Blood is believed to have stagnated. The zang-fu of the twelve main channels are Lung, Large Intestine, Stomach, Spleen, Heart, Small Intestine, Bladder, Kidney, Pericardium, Gall Bladder, Liver and the intangible SanJiao.
The eight other pathways, referred to collectively as the qi jing ba mai, include the Luo Vessels, Divergents, Sinew Channels, ren mai and du mai though only the latter two (corresponding to the anterior and posterior sagittal plane of the torso respectively) are needled. The remaining six qi jing ba mai are manipulated by needling points on the twelve main meridians.
Normally qi is described as flowing through each channel in a continuous circuit. In addition, each channel has a specific aspect and occupies two hours of the "Chinese clock".
Flow of qi through the meridians
| Flow of qi through the meridians | ||
| Zang-fu | Aspect | Hours |
| Lung | taiyin | 0300-0500 |
| Large Intestine | yangming | 0500-0700 |
| Stomach | yangming | 0700-0900 |
| Spleen | taiyin | 0900-1100 |
| Heart | shaoyin | 1100-1300 |
| Small Intestine | taiyang | 1300-1500 |
| Bladder | taiyang | 1500-1700 |
| Kidney | aoyin | 1700-1900 |
| Pericardium | jueyin | 1900-2100 |
| San Jiao | shaoyang | 2100-2300 |
| Gallbladder | shaoyang | 2300-0100 |
| Liver | jueyin | 0100-0300 |
| Lung (repeats cycle) | ||
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