Ouch point

Also a-shi point. Points that are sensitive to palpation and chosen as sites for acupuncture treatment. These points are most often used to treat disorders in their immediate vicinity but also treat disorders distant from the point. Ouch points are not necessarily located on the channels. Because their locations vary and reflect the disease and its relationship to the patient, these points are inherently unchartable.

See also point selection.

Etymology

Chin 阿 ā, oh!; 是 shì, to be. The character combination literally means ah, that’s it!, but is probably influenced by the ahing and hissing that pressure on a tender spot often elicits.