The back transport points are located in the back region, and the alarm points are in the front of the body. They are closely related to the internal organs, because qi from the organs can easily infuse or gather in these points. Clinically, the points help to evaluate the functional state of organs, as any change in them reflect dysfunction of the corresponding organs. For example, when experiencing stomach pain, zhong wan (Cv 12) may appear tenderness or other sensitive reactions, in which is the location of the back transport point for the stomach.

All of the back transport points are located on the bladder meridian (section along the sides of the spine), and they are named according to their corresponding organs in Chinese. Stimulating them can directly regulate the functions of their corresponding organs; therefore they are frequently used in the treatment of five zang organ diseases. Moreover, they are also used to treat tissue or structural problems that correspond to these organs. For example, the liver's point gan shu (Bl 18) can be selected for vision problems and cramps (as the liver opens into eyes, and rules tendons) ; the kidney's point shen shu (Bl 23) can be selected for ear ringing, poor hearing, impotence, and bone diseases (as all of these are related to kidney functions).

The alarm points are either on the Conception Vessel, or the sides of this meridian. They frequently used for diagnosing and treating problems of six fu organs or yang meridians (the stomach, gallbladder, bladder, large and small intestines). For example, zhong wan (Cv 12) will be selected for stomach pain; abdominal pain or diarrhea can select tian shu (St 25) for treatment; and zhong ji (Cv 3) will be selected for sciatica.