What foundational concept is acupuncture based on?

The foundational concept of acupuncture is based on meridian lines. In traditional Chinese medicine, these meridians are thought to be pathways through which vital energy or "qi" flows. The belief is that disruptions or imbalances in the flow of qi along these meridians can lead to various health issues. Therefore, acupuncture aims to restore balance and promote healing by inserting needles at specific points along these meridians to influence the flow of qi and restore health.

While trigger points and referral patterns, muscle tissue, and oral and aural diagnosis play important roles in other therapeutic practices, they are not the primary basis for acupuncture. Trigger points, for example, are more associated with myofascial pain syndromes and dry needling techniques rather than the traditional concepts of acupuncture. Muscle tissue may be a focus in other manual therapies or treatments, but it does not capture the essence of the meridian system that underlies acupuncture. Oral and aural diagnosis relates to assessment methods rather than the foundational philosophy that acupuncture is built upon.