As qi travels through the meridians, it invariably passes through joints as well. For example, the qi of the lung meridian passes through the wrist, elbow and shoulder. While there is normally a free flow of energy through the joints, either articular or meridian dysfunction may result in a particular joint becoming a point of blockage for the flow of qi. When this occurs, pain results, and acupuncture may be used to clear the blockage. These points are termed barrier points.
Effective treatment depends on the their use to free the qi obstruction.
It should be clear from the above paragraph that this is a complex treatment system that requires a different orientation than most acupuncturists have regarding the meridian system and the diagnosis of qi obstruction in the joints. Indeed, it is too complex to summarize in a short article. In clinical practice, however, it is not necessary to fully understand this system in order to put it to practical and effective use. In other words, for most acupuncturists the usefulness of the barrier point system will be in suggesting a series of points they have not considered in their previous treatments that might prove effective in relieving pain and decreasing joint dysfunction. With the exception of large intestine 9, all of these points are xi-cleft points and as such would make theoretical sense in most acupuncture treatments if diagnosis indicated involvement of their particular meridian.