The treatment of disorders by inserting needles into the skin at points where the flow of energy in the body is thought to be blocked along its "Meridians", also known as "Channels", which are 14 pathways that define the body’s outer energetic system or defensive energy. To strengthen the flow of qi (the Chinese term for vital energy or life force) or to remove blockages in the meridians, an acupuncturist inserts a number of tiny, sterile, flexible needles just under the skin at certain specific points (called "acupoints”) along these channels. The word "Acupuncture" comes from the Latin word “acus”: needle, and “pungere”: puncture.