Extraordinary acupoints refer to the acupoints not included in the acupoints of the fourteen meridians. These acupoints have definite location and names and are effective in treating certain diseases.
The extraordinary acupoints are marked by definite location, fixed names and no pertaining to any meridians. However, the extraordinary acupoints and meridian acupoints are closely related to each other. Firstly, some extraordinary acupoints include meridian acupoints. For example, in Xiyan (EX-LE 5), Waixiyan is actually Dubi(ST 35); Bafeng (EX-LE 10) includes Ying-Spring acupoint of the foot meridian. Secondly, some extraordinary acupoints are in fact formed by several meridian acupoints. For example, Siguan is a combination of Hegu (LI4) and Taichong (LR 3), Sihua is a combination of Geshu (BL 17) and Danshu (BL 19). Thirdly, the distribution and indication of some extraordinary acupoints are similar to those of the acupoints on certain meridians.