Ashi points have no fixed location or name.

• They are points that hurt when pressed.
• They appear and disappear.
• They may coincide with trigger points, contractures or meridian points. For example: if I press LI-10 and it hurts, it is an Ashi point.

When a meridian or an organ is diseased, its acupuncture points may become Ashi. We needle the one that hurts. If 10 points hurt, we don't needle all 10, we look for which one hurts the most.

In cases of contractures, the heated needle technique provides great relief.