The conception and the history of ashi point, tender point and myofascial trigger point are described in the paper. All of three kinds of point are the reaction of musculoskeletal pain and visceral diseases. Theoretically, ashi point originates from the theory of muscle region of meridian, tender point from the theory of soft tissue and muscles and myofascial trigger point from the theory of muscular fasciae. Anatomically, ashi point is localized in the muscle region of meridian, on the boundary between muscles, tender point is on the muscular attachment to skeleton (the starting and ending points) and myofascial trigger point is on the motor point of neuromuscles. Pathologically, ashi point reflects the disorders of soft tissue and internal organ, tender point reflects the disorders of soft tissue and myofascial trigger point reflects the disorders of soft tissue and few disorders of internal organ. To identify the relationship among them is very significant in the target treatment with acupuncture.
Keywords: ashi point; myofascial trigger point; tender point.