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Meridian Theory
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TCM notion of Meridian
A meridian is an ‘energy highway’ in the human body. Qi (energy) flows through this meridian or energy
highway, accessing all party of the body. Meridians can be mapped throughout the body; They flow within the body and not on the surface; Meridians exist in corresponding pairs and each
meridian has many acupuncture points along its path.
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TCM notion of Meridian
The term ‘meridian’ describes the overall energy distribution system of Chinese Medicine and
Helps us to understand how basic substances of the body (Qi, blood and body fluids) permeate the whole body.
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TCM notion of Meridian
The individual meridians themselves are often described as ‘channels’ or even ‘vessels’ which reflects the notion of carrying, holding, or transporting qi, blood and body fluids around the body.
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TCM notion of Meridian
It is tempting to think of the meridians of the human body the same way as we think of the circulatory system, but here is where the similarities end.
Conventional anatomy and physiology would not be able to identify these pathways in a physical sense in the way that blood vessels can be identified.
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TCM notion of Meridian
It is more useful to consider the meridian system as an energetic distribution network that in itself tends towards energetic manifestation.
Meridians can be best understood as a process rather than a structure.
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TCM notion of Meridian
There are twelve main meridians, or invisible channels, throughout the body with Qi or energy flows.
Each limb is traversed by six channels, three Yin channels on the inside, and three Yang channels on the outside.
Each of the twelve regular channels corresponds to the five Yin organs, the six Yang organs as well as the Pericardium and San Jiao or Triple Warmer.
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Composition of the Meridian System
Include 3 large groups of regular meridians 正经 , extra meridians 奇经 and meridian divergences 经别 .
There are twelve regular meridians, including three yin meridians of hand 手三阴经 , three yang meridians of hand 手三阳经 , three yin meridians of foot 足三阴经 and three yang meridians of foot 足三阳经 , which are collectively called “twelve meridians” or “twelve regular meridians” 十二正经 , and the major tracks for qi-blood circulation.
The twelve meridians have direct relationships of connection and affiliation with viscera within the body, and external-internal relationships among themselves.
The twelve meridians are the necessary passages for qi-blood circulation.
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Composition of the Meridian System
There are 8 extra meridians, namely Ren 任脉 , Du 督脉 , Chong, Dai 冲脉 , Yinwei 阴维脉 , Yangwei 阳维脉 , Yingqiao 阴跷脉 and Yangqiao 阳跷脉meridians, collectively called eight extra meridians 奇经八脉 .
They govern, communicate and regulate qi-blood within the twelve meridians, but they have no direct relationships with viscera, no external-internal relationships among themselves.
The twelve divergences are the meridians branching out from the twelve meridians.
They originate respectively from the four limbs and run through the deeper parts of the body cavity and reach up the superficial parts of the neck.
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Composition of the Meridian System
The meridian divergences 十二经别 of yang meridians branch out from their meridians and run through the body, still return to their original meridians; while the meridian divergences of yin meridians branch out from their meridians, after running through the body, they join their pairing yang meridians.
The functions of the twelve meridian divergences are mainly to strengthen the communication between the two externally-internally related meridians in the twelve meridians, they can also serve as the supplement for regular meridians by reaching some organs and components where the regular meridians do not reach.
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Functions of the meridians
The meridians and collaterals are the major body of the meridian system, undertaking the role to circulate qi-blood and communicate so as to connect all the viscera, organs, orifices , skin, muscles tendons, bones, etc to form an integral organic whole.
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Physiological Functions of the Meridian System
1. Communicate and connect all the parts of the body:- the human body’s organic coordination and mutual relationship is accomplished through communication and connection by the meridian system ；-the twelve meridians and their branches run criss-crossly, coming and going out, ascending and descending, mutual affiliation to and connection with a pair of viscera;
- the eight extra meridians connect and communicate with the twelve regular meridians;
- the twelve meridian musculatures and the twelve skin areas connect and communicate with the skin, muscles,- the twelve meridians link the peripheral tissues of tendons, muscles, skin, limbs and joins with the internal organs.
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Physiological Functions of the Meridian System
For example, the hand Yangming meridians “runs by the mouth”, the foot Yangming meridians”runs by the mouth, and curves around the lips”, the hand Yangming meridian “crosses the philtrum to the site beside the opposite wing of the nose”.
In this way, it makes the interior viscera communicate with the sense organs and orifices so as to form a whole.
Each of the twelve meridians affiliates to and connects with a Zang viscus and a Fu-viscus,.
For example, the lung meridian of hand Taiyin affiliates to the lung and connects with the large intestine; and the large intestine meridian of hand Yangming affiliates to the large intestine.
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Physiological Functions of the Meridian System
Some of the meridians, besides affiliate to and connect with special viscera, again communicate with several other viscera.
For example, the kidney meridian of foot Shaoyin not only affiliates to the kidney and connects with the bladder, but also passes through the liver, enters the lung, connects with the heart, and runs into the chest to join the pericardium.
In addition, there are also the meridian divergences that supplement the shortcomings of the regular meridians.
For example, the divergences of the foot Yangming, foot Shaoying and foot Taiyang all pass by the heart.
Thus forms multiple communications among the viscera.
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Physiological Functions of the Meridian System
2. Conveying Qi-Blood to Nourish the Whole body:- Every viscus and tissue of the human body needs warming, nourishing
and moistening by qi-blood so as to play their normal function.- Qi-blood are the material basis for life activity of the body and they must
depend upon the transportation and importation by the meridian so as to distribute over the whole body for warming, nourishing and moistening all the viscera and tissues, maintaining the normal functions of the body.
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Physiological Functions of the Meridian System
3. Reaction and Conduction- The body depends upon the meridian system to perform
transmission of life information and communicate among every part.
- When a part of the human body is stimulated, through the meridian system this stimulation will import into the relative viscera within the body so as to make them produce the relative changes physiologically or pathologically.
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Physiological Functions of the Meridian System
3. Regulating Functional Balance for the Body- Where there is disharmony of qi-blood and
superiority or inferiority of yin or yang in the body, the acupuncture and moxibustion therapies can be used to trigger the regulatory action of the meridian by reducing what is excessive, or reinforcing what is deficient to regulate the body and maintain the equilibrium.
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Physiological Functions of the Meridian System
For example, when the stomach is in hypofunction, a mild stimulation given may strengthen the gastric contraction and increase the concentration of the gastric juice.
As the stomach is in a hyperactive state, a strong stimulation given will cause inhibitory effect.
Puncturing Zusanli 足三里 (ST 36) point of the stomach meridian of foot Yangming can regulate the peristalic and secreting functions of the stomach.
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The twelve meridians have lateral and symmetrical distribution on the head, face, trunk and limbs.
The six yin Meridians are distributed on the inner side of the limbs and on the inner side of the chest and abdomen.
The six yang Meridians are distributed on the outer side of the limbs and on the head, face and trunk.
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The order and arrangement of the three yang meridians for both arms and legs are as follows;
- Yang Ming (meaning bright yang or sunlight yang) has an anterior position;
- Shao Yang (meaning middle yang) has a middle position;- Tai Yang (meaning greater yang) has an posterior position, The three names have described the variations of yang qi or
yang energy. They can also be interpreted as the variations of the sunlight
received.
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The order and arrangement of the three yin meridians are as follows:
- Tai Yin (meaning greater yin) has an anterior position;
- Shao Yin (meaning lesser yin) has an posterior position;
- Jue Yin (meaning absolute yin or terminal yin ) has a middle position
- The three names have described the variations of yin qi and the degree of darkness of that position.
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Each meridian is a Yin Yang pair, meaning each Yin organ is paired with its corresponding Yang Organ;
The Yin Lung organ, for example, corresponds with the Yang large intestine.
Yang Yin Lung Large Intestine Stomach Spleen Heart Small Intestine Bladder Kidneys Liver Gall Bladder Pericardium San Jiao
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The Lung Meridian of Hand Taiyin
Toward the thumb from the inside edge of the front of the shoulder.
Runs from a point on the breast just above clavicle, along the inside of the arm to the thumb.
Respiratory diseases, sore throat, cough, common cold, pain in the shoulder and along the meridian
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The Large Intestine Meridian of Hand Yangming
Runs from the tip of the index finger along the outer part of the arm, then along the shoulder to the throat, neck, and outside of the mouth, and then to the crease at the nostril.
Abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, sore throat, toothache in the lower gum, nasal discharge and bleeding, pain along the course of the meridian
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THE STOMACH MERIDIAN
The outer channel of the U runs from the scalp down along the ear and face (where men wear sideburns) to the chin, where it joins the other channel.
From here, the meridian runs along the neck to the clavicle and down directly across the nipple to the abdomen, across the groin, down along the thigh and calf, and on to the second toe.
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The Stomach Meridian of Foot Yangming Stomach problems, abdominal pain, distension, edema, vomiting, sore
throat, facial paralysis, upper gum toothache, nose bleeding, pain along the meridian
Forms a large U shape on each side of the face before it runs downward along the chest, thigh, and calf to a point at the top of the second toe.
The inner channel of the U runs just below the eye to the tip of the outer corner of the mouth, and then to the chinbone.
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The Spleen Meridian of Foot Taiyin
Runs from the outside of the big toe, up the inside of the foot, along the shinbone to the knee, up the inside of the thigh to the stomach area, and then runs on an angle to the outside of the armpit.
Here it loops under the arm and runs down along the outside of the back.
Problems of the spleen and pancreas, abdominal distension, jaundice, general weakness and sluggishness, tongue problems, vomiting, pain and swellings along the course of the meridian
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The Heart Meridian of Hand Shaoyin
Runs from the armpit, along the inside of the arm, to the inside of the wrist, to a point on the inside of the little finger just above the nail.
Heart problems, dryness of the throat, jaundice, pain along the course of the meridian.
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The Small Intestine Meridian of Hand Taiyang
Runs from the upper part of the little finger, just above the nail, up the outside of the arm, along the tricep, to a point in the center of the shoulder blade on the back, up the neck, to a point directly in front of the ear hole.
Pain in the lower abdomen, sore throat, swelling or paralysis of face, deafness, pain along the meridian
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The Bladder Meridian of Foot Taiyang
Runs from the inside corner of the eye, up the forehead, over the top of the head and down the centre of the back.
Here it divides to form two parallel lines on the right side of the back and two more on the left side, so that, in all, it comprises four meridian lines.
Runs from the inside corner of the eye, up the forehead, over the top of the head and down the centre of the back.
Here it divides to form two parallel lines on the right side of the back and two more on the left side, so that, in all, it comprises four meridian lines.
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THE BLADDER MERIDIAN Each set of two runs along the back, down the buttocks, and down the back
of each leg.
Each set of two meridian lines joins at the back of the knee, becoming one meridian line on each leg.
From the knee the bladder meridian runs along the calf, to the back of the ankle, along the outside of the foot, to the little toe.
Bladder problems, headache, eye diseases, neck and back problems, pain along the back of the leg
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The Kidney Meridian
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The Kidney Meridian of Foot Shaoyin
Runs from a point at the bottom of the foot, along the arch, to the heel, up the inside of the leg, to the sex organs, along the centre of the stomach, to a point just below where the clavicle joins the sternum.
Passing through the vertebral column, it enters the kidney and connects with the bladder.
The straight portion: Starting from the kidney, it ascends and passes through the liver and diaphragm;
Then it enters the lung, and runs along the throat up to the tongue, ending on the two sides of it.
The branch: Arising from the lung, it connects with the heart and enters the chest to link the pericardium meridian of hand Jueyin.
Kidney problems, lung problems, dry tongue, lumbago, edema, constipation, diarrhea, pain and weakness along the course of the meridian
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The Pericardium Meridian of Hand Jueyin
Runs from the armpit, down the middle of the inside of the arm, across the middle of the palm, to the tip of the middle finger.
This meridian assists the heartbeat, circulation, and assimilation of nutrition.
It also provides qi, assists in blood flow to the pericardium, and helps the heart function.
Poor circulation, angina, palpitation, diseases of the sexual glands and organs, irritability, pain along the course of the meridian
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The Tri-Jiao Meridian of Hand Shaoyang
Runs from the top of the fourth finger up the arm to the shoulder, up the neck, and around the top of the ear to the temple.
This meridian provides qi to the small-intestine meridian and the lymphatic system, and assists circulation to the extremities. Runs from the top of the fourth finger up the arm to the shoulder, up the neck, and around the top of the ear to the temple.
This meridian provides qi to the small-intestine meridian and the lymphatic system, and assists circulation to the extremities.
The Tri-Jiao meridian also coordinates the three heating systems, which maintain the body temperature.
One is above the solar plexus, the second is in between the solar plexus and the navel, and the third is below the navel.
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THE GALLBLADDER MERIDIAN Runs from the temple around the outside of the ear, down the back of the
head, then back up the side of the head, stopping just above the temple and then running back down to the neck.
This up-and-down motion along the side of the head creates a thin crescent-moon shape.
From here, the meridian runs over the front of the shoulder, down the side of the abdomen in a zigzag motion, to the hip, and then down the outside of the leg, to the fourth toe.
This meridian is concerned with the distribution of energy.
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THE GALLBLADDER MERIDIAN Runs from the temple around the outside of
the ear, down the back of the head, then back up the side of the head, stopping just above the temple and then running back down to the neck.
This up-and-down motion along the side of the head creates a thin crescent-moon shape.
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The Gallbladder Meridian of Foot Shaoyang
Coming out superficially at the anterior aspect of the external malleolus, finally it runs along the dorsum of the foot to the lateral aspect of the tip of the 4th toe(Foot Qiaoyin 足窍阴 ).
Branch 3: Branching out at the dorsum of the foot (Foot-Linqi, 足临泣 GB 41), it runs forward to the lateral aspect of the tip of the big toe.
Returning, it passes through the nail and arrives at the hairy region of the big toe (Dadun 大敦 , LV 1), where it links the liver meridian of foot Jueyin.
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THE GALLBLADDER MERIDIAN Runs from the temple around the outside of the ear, down the back of the
head, then back up the side of the head, stopping just above the temple and then running back down to the neck.
This up-and-down motion along the side of the head creates a thin crescent-moon shape.
From here, the meridian runs over the front of the shoulder, down the side of the abdomen in a zigzag motion, to the hip, and then down the outside of the leg, to the fourth toe.
Pain in shoulder, hand- and finger-joints, eye problems, illnesses of the hip joints, diseases of the external genital organs of men, knee and ankle problems and etc.
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THE GALLBLADDER MERIDIAN From here, the meridian runs over the front of the shoulder, down the side
of the abdomen in a zigzag motion, to the hip, and then down the outside of the leg, to the fourth toe.
This meridian is concerned with the distribution of energy.
Gall bladder problems, ear diseases, migraine, hip problems, dizziness, pain along the meridian
Gall bladder problems, ear diseases, migraine, hip problems, dizziness, pain along the meridian
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THE LIVER MERIDIAN Runs from the upper part of the big toe, up along the top of the
foot, along the inner parts of the calf, thigh, and groin, to the outer part of the abdomen, to a point at the bottom of the ribcage, to a point between the sixth and seventh ribs, directly under the nipple.
The liver meridian relates to the storage of nutrients and energy.
Liver problems, lumbago, vomiting, hernia, urination problems, pain in the lower abdomen, diseases of gallbladder and bile ducts, illnesses of the breasts and illnesses the external genital organ of men and women and any diseases along the course of the meridian.
Fever & chills w/chills predominating;
Body ache, stuffy nose w/clear runny mucus;
Sneezing, scratchy throat, lack of sweat.
Lung Meridian Disharmonies
Chize (LU 5) Lieque (LU 7) Yuji(LU 10)
The large intestine meridian is a yang meridian and is paired with the lung yin meridian.
Process waste and pass it through the body.
When there are blockages in the large intestine meridian, they often manifest as digestion and abdominal trouble.
Large Intestine Meridian
Hegu 合谷(LI4)
Yingxiang (LI20)
Quchi(LI11)
Constant hunger, painful, swollen a/or bleeding gums, regurgitation a/or vomiting likely after eating, burning sensation in the epigastrium (upper stomach), nausea, constipation .
Stomach Meridian Disharmonies
Tianshu (ST 25) Zusanli(ST 36)
Neiting (ST 44)
Poor appetite ； Distention after eating; Weakness of the four limbs; Fatigue; Loose stools
Spleen Meridian Disharmonies
Yinlingquan阴陵泉 (SP9)
Sanyinjiao三阴交 (SP 6)
Xuehai 血海(SP 10)
Palpitations, thirst, tongue/mouth ulcers, restlessness, red complexion, bitter taste in the mouth other heat signs
Disharmony of the Heart Meridian leads to pain at the heart position
Pain in the inner side of the forearm and heat in the palm may also indicate problems in this meridian.
Hand Shao Yin Heart Meridian
Swollen chin, stiff neck, sore throat, hearing problems, yellow eyes, and pain along the shoulder, upper arm, elbow and forearm.- Pain in the inferior abdomen, reduce auditory acuity, stiffness of the back or the neck, pain or stiffness in the shoulders.
Hand Tai Yang Small Intestine Meridian
Houxi 后溪 (SI 3)
Yanglao 养老 (SI 6)
Tinggong (SI 19)
It is the first meridian to be invaded if there is any external attack.
Painful eyes, runny nose, nose bleeding and nasal congestion.
Pain in the head, neck, back, groin and buttock areas
Urinary retention ； enuresis ； pain along the pathway of the meridian
Disharmony of the Bladder Meridian
Weizhong (BL 40) Chengshan (BL 57) Kunlun (BL 60)
Lumbar back pain and at the base of the back, cold feet, haemoptysis, dyspnoea, dry tongue, sore throat, lumbago, oedema, constipation, diarrhoea, motor paralysis and msucle atrophy of the lower limbs, hot plantar side of the foot and pain along the pathway of the meridian
Leg Shao Yin Kidney Meridian
Chest fullness, palpitation, irritabiity and agitation, spasm and contracture of the elbow and arm, hot palm and pain along the pathway of the meridian, stiff head and neck
Hand Jueyin Pericardium Meridian
Laogong (PC 8) Neiguan (PC 6)
Abdominal distention, swelling ， urinary incontinence, difficulty urinating, loss of hearing, and ringing in the ears (tinnitus).
Pain in the pharynx (throat), eyes, cheek, back of the ear, shoulder and the upper arm can occur as these structures are located along this meridian's pathway.
Disharmony of the Triple Heater Meridian
Hand Shao Yang Triple Heater MeridianZhigou (SJ 6)
支沟
Yifeng 翳风 (SJ 17)
Fengchi (GB 20) Yanglingquan (GB 34)
Jianjing (GB 21)
Jianjing (GB 21)
Disharmony of the Liver Meridian leads to groin pain, chest fullness, urinary incontinence, difficulty urinating, swelling of the lower abdomen and hernias.- Pulsatile headache, sneezing, blurred vision, tinnitus, lumbar back pain, vomiting, enuresis, urinary retention, hernia, pain in the lower abdomen
Disharmony of the Liver Meridian
Taichong 太冲 (LR 3) Xingjian 行间 (LR 2)
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Eight Extra Meridians
The eight extra meridians are the general term for Ren, Du, Dai, Yinwei, Yangwei, Yingqiao and Yangqiao meridians.
Their distributions are not regular like the twelve meridians.
They have no direct connection with and affiliation to the viscera, and also with no exterior-interior relations among themselves, therefore they are called extra meridians.
The eight extra meridians strengthening the communication among the twelve meridians
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Eight Extra Meridians
Except for Dai meridian, most of the meridians run from the lower to the upper, and no meridian distributes in the upper limb.
The eight meridians not directly connect with or affiliate to the viscera, but they have close relations with the brain and womb.
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Eight Extra Meridians
There is no exterior-interior relationship among the eight meridians;
The running routes of every meridian are not like the twelve meridians, with no definite symmetrical relation on both right and left.
Ren, Du and Dai meridians are of only one route running singly.
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Eight Extra Meridians
The eight extra meridians run vertically, transversely, and crosswise among the twelve meridians ;
They have the functions to strengthen the communication among the meridians, and regulate qi-blood in the regular meridians.
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Running Route of Du Meridian
- Du meridian 督脉 runs along the posterior mid-line
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Functions of Du Meridian
Du meridian has the function to command qi-blood of yang meridians in the whole body;
Du meridian runs along the midline of back and its meridian qi several times meets qi of the three yang meridians of both hand and foot, Dazhui GV 14 as their meeting point.
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Functions of Du Meridian
Dai meridian comes out from the 2nd lumbar vertibra and Yangwei meridian meets at Fengfu (GV 16) and Yamen (GV 15).
Du meridian communicates with qi of all the yang meridians.
Du meridian runs along the inside of the spinal column and is closely related with the brain and spinal marrow.
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Functions of Du Meridian
The viscera in the body cavities are controlled by the Du meridian qi through the Back-Shu 背俞穴 points of the bladder meridian.
Du meridian branches out to join the kidney.
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Running Route of the Ren Meridian
Ren meridian 任脉 runs along the anterior mid-line
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Function of Ren Meridian
Chong meridian meets Ren meridian at Yinjiao (GV 28)
Links with all the yin meridians.
Responsible for the origination and development of the fetus.
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Running Route of Chong Meridian
Chong meridian 冲脉 runs in the abdomen, lower limb and front of the spinal column
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Function of Chong Meridian Chong meridian runs upward to the head, and downward to the foot,
posteriorly in the back and anteriorly in the abdomen and chest, running throughout the whole body.
It is the communication hub to the circulation of qi and blood, and can regulate qi and blood of the twelve meridians.
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Function of Chong Meridian
The descending part of it runs in the lower limb, opening into yin meridians;
The descending part of it runs in the lower limb, opening into yin meridians.
It can receive and regulate qi-blood of the twelve meridians and the five Zang-viscera and six Fu-viscera
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Function of Chong Meridian
It serves as “the sea of blood” and closely associated with the menstruation and pregnancy of women.
Only when Chong and Ren meridians keep smooth and qi-blood are abundant.
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Running Route of Dai Meridian
Dai meridian 带脉 runs transversely around the waist.
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Functions of Dai Meridian
Only Dai meridian runs around the waist thus it has the function of binding the meridians run vertically.
It binds and controls the relative meridians to regulate qi of the meridians
Malfunction of the dai meridian will lead to fullness of the abdomen, weakness of the lumbar region and coldness to the pelvic region
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Running Route of Yinqiao Meridians
Yinqiao meridian 阴跷脉 runs in the medial aspect of the lower limb, abdomen, chest, head and eye.
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Running Route of Yangqiao Meridians
Yangqiao meridian 阳跷脉 runs in the lateral aspect of the lower limb, abdomen, posteriorlateral aspect of the chest, should and head
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Functions of Yangqiao & Yinqiao Meridians
Qiao here means heel and,forceful and nimble.
To communicate yin and yang qi of the whole bdoy, and regulate the motion of the limbs and muscles.
Moisten the eyes, control the closing-opening of the eyelids and the motion of the lower limb.
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Running Route of Yinwei Meridians
Yinwei meridian 阴维脉 runs in the medial aspect of the lower limb, abdomen and neck.
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Running Route of Yangwei Meridian
Yangwei meridian阳维脉 runs in the lateral aspect of the lower limb, shoulder and nape.
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Functions of Yinwei & Yangwei Meridians
Wei means regulating and connecting with. The major functions of Wei meridians are to
regulate all the meridians of the body. Yin meridian in its course meets three yin
meridians of foot and finally joins Ren meridian, so it regulates and connects with yin meridians of the whole body.
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Functions of Yinwei & Yangwei Meridians
Yangwei meridian meets three yin meridians of foot and finally joins Du meridian, it regulates and connects with yang meridians of the whole body.
Both Yinwei and Yangwei meridians regulate commonly to play the role of importing and exporting qi-blood, but not participate their circulation.
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Running Route of Yinqiao Meridians
Yinqiao meridian 阴跷脉 runs in the medial aspect of the lower limb, abdomen, chest, head and eye.
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Running Route of Yangqiao Meridians
Yangqiao meridian 阳跷脉 runs in the lateral aspect of the lower limb, abdomen, posteriorlateral aspect of the chest, should and head
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Functions of Yangqiao & Yinqiao Meridians
Qiao here means heel and,forceful and nimble.
To communicate yin and yang qi of the whole bdoy, and regulate the motion of the limbs and muscles.
Moisten the eyes, control the closing-opening of the eyelids and the motion of the lower limb.
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Running Route of Yinwei Meridians
Yinwei meridian 阴维脉 runs in the medial aspect of the lower limb, abdomen and neck.
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Running Route of Yangwei Meridian
Yangwei meridian阳维脉 runs in the lateral aspect of the lower limb, shoulder and nape.
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Functions of Yinwei & Yangwei Meridians
Wei means regulating and connecting with.
The major functions of Wei meridians are to regulate all the meridians of the body.
Yin meridian in its course meets three yin meridians of foot and finally joins Ren meridian, so it regulates and connects with yin meridians of the whole body.
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Functions of Yinwei & Yangwei Meridians
Yangwei meridian meets three yin meridians of foot and finally joins Du meridian, it regulates and connects with yang meridians of the whole body.
Both Yinwei and Yangwei meridians regulate commonly to play the role of importing and exporting qi-blood, but not participate their circulation.
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Guiding Meridian Syndrome Differentiation
• For instance, in urinary retention and stress urinary incontinence resulting from diabetic cystipathy may both cause disorder of coordinative function between the detrusor urinae of bladder and spincter urethrae.
• The former is caused by hyperglycemia results in injury of parasympthetic nerve dominating the detrusor urinae of bladder, leading to weak contractility of the detrusor urinae of bladder, with relative hyperactive function of sphincter urethrae; while the latter is due to laxation of pelvic floor muscles and decrease of contraction of sphincter urithrae caused by various factors, thus the function of the detrusor urinae of bladder becomes relatively hyperactive.
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Application of the
Meridian Theory in TCM
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Expounding Pathological Changes
• The meridians affiliate internally to the viscera, distribute externally in the body surface.
• So when the body surface is invaded by the pathogens, the pathogens may go through the meridian system to go from the exterior into the interior, from the shallow to the deep, gradually transmit inward to the viscera.
• Hence, the meridian system is the route for transmission of the exogenous pathogens from the skin and body surface into the viscera.
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Expounding Pathological Changes• As an example, when cold pathogen invades the body surface,
fever and aversion to cold, pain of the head and body manifested.
• It is because the lung is associated with the skin and if the pathogen in the exterior cannot be expelled, it will transmit inward in to the lung and manifested cough, chest distress, chest pain and etc.
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Expounding Pathological Changes
• The lung meridian and the large intestine meridian connect with each other, so there may appear accompanying disorder of the large intestine such as abdominal pain, diarrhea or constipation.
• Clinically, the meridian may be used to expound the symptoms and signs of the special sites or the corresponding sense organs and orifices in the body surface that the disorders of the five Zang-viscera and six Fu-viscera show.
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Expounding Pathological Changes• For example, the liver meridian of foot jueyin curves round the external
genitalia, descends to the lower abdomen, spreads its branches over the costal and hypochondriac region, and runs up to connect the eye connector;
• So stagnation of liver qi may show pains in the hypochondria and lower abdomen;
• Up-flaming of liver fire may show redness of the eyes;
• Dampness-heat in the liver meridian may show scrotal wetness.
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Expounding Pathological Changes• Mutual transmission of the visceral disorders may also be
explained by the meridian theory.
• The disorder of a viscus may affect the other viscus through the meridians.
• For example, the liver meridian of foot Jueyin affiliates to the liver, runs by the stomach and enters the lung.
• So the disorder of the liver may affect the stomach, and the fire of liver may affect the lung.
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Expounding Pathological Changes• The kidney meridian of foot Shaoyin enters the lung and
connects with the heart;
• So edema due to kidney deficiency may “invade the heart” and “affect the lung”.
• The spleen meridian of foot Taiyin enters the heart;
• So failure of the spleen in transformation and transportation may cause deficiency of heart blood.
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Guiding Meridian Syndrome Differentiation • Clinically one can analyze the symptoms of a disease combining
with the running route and the connected viscera of a meridian so as to diagnose what meridian the syndrome associates with.
• For example, a pain in the hypochondria often indicates disease of the liver and gallbladder;
• A pain in the Quepen usually means disorder of the lung.
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Guiding Meridian Syndrome Differentiation
• For headache, forehead headache relates generally to Yangming meridian; lateral headache to Jueyin meridian; occipital headache and nape pain to Taiyin meridian; vertical headache toJueyin meridian.
• In addition, when some disease is developing in some meridian and the meridian qi stagnates, there often appear obvious tenderness, nodule or streak reaction; or morphologic or temperature or electric resistant changes, which are all indication to diagnosis of disease.
• For patients with abdominal carbuncle there appears sometime tenderness in Shangjuxu (ST 37) point of the stomach meridian of foot Yangming.
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Guiding Meridian Syndrome Differentiation
• In genuine heart pain there is often pain at the left inframammary area in anterior pectoral region, even radiating to the left arm and little finger.
• In disorders of the spleen and stomach there usually abnormal changes at Pishu (BL 20) point.
• In irregular menstruation or nocturnal spermarrhea there is often tenderness at Henggu (KI 11) point.
• For patients with a prolonged indigestion there appear sometimes abnormal changes at Pishu (BL 20) point.
• Examination of the meridian is also helpful to judge the cold, heat, deficiency and excess nature of disease.
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Guiding clinical treatment• Points are the sites where qi-blood in circulation of the body gathers, and
also the sites from where pathogens invade the body.
• Stimulating the points may treat the diseases of the viscera and the meridians.
• The meridian system is thus the passageway for medicine to play its property, and for the body to sense the stimulations from mechanical, acoustic, optic, electric and magnetic agents.
• Treatment of disease by acupuncture and moxibustion is through puncturing the point or applying burning moxa over the point to smooth meridian qi so as to restore the function of the meridian in regulating visceral qi-blood of the body.
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Guiding Meridian Syndrome Differentiation
• Acumoxibustion at the point may at the same time and at different levels act on normal or abnormal functions of several organs and systems.
• For example, during the process of a operation under the acupuncture anesthesia, acupuncture produces analgesic effect, at the same time it can regulate the functions of the relative systems in multiple aspects, so that during the operation the blood pressure and pulsation are kept stable, and the degree of post-operative pain in the incision becomes mild, complications like infection are reduced, and the post-operative recovery gets rapid.
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Guiding Meridian Syndrome Differentiation
• For instance, in urinary retention and stress urinary incontinence resulting from diabetic cystipathy may both cause disorder of coordinative function between the detrusor urinae of bladder and spincter urethrae.
• The former is caused by hyperglycemia results in injury of parasympthetic nerve dominating the detrusor urinae of bladder, leading to weak contractility of the detrusor urinae of bladder, with relative hyperactive function of sphincter urethrae; while the latter is due to laxation of pelvic floor muscles and decrease of contraction of sphincter urithrae caused by various factors, thus the function of the detrusor urinae of bladder becomes relatively hyperactive.
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Guiding Meridian Syndrome Differentiation
• Pharmacotherapy is also taking the meridian as the way.
• Only it is through the conduction and transportation by the meridian system, can the medicine get to the focus to cure disease, playing its therapeutic effect.
• Through long and repeated practice, medical scholars found the medicinal theories on for natures, five flavors, as well as ascending, descending, floating and sinking actions. This is closely related to the meridian theory.
• A particular herb has a selective therapeutic effect to the illness of a certain meridian and its affiliated viscus, accordingly they founded the theory of “meridian-tropism of medicinal”.
• It is a summarization of the law of medicinal treatment based on the clinical practice.
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Meridian massage• Tui Na describes the various hand forms used to stimulate
related acupuncture points, channels and muscles. Chinese massage can be used alone to improve circulation and strengthen the body, or in synergy with acupuncture and herbs for the treatment of many diseases.
• With the hand forms of pressing, pushing, pinching, rolling, tapping, grasping etc., it can:
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Meridian massage
• Stimulate the related points, channels and muscles of the body
• Improve blood circulation and metabolism
• Regulate the flow of the Qi
• Remove stagnation and toxins
• Balance internal organs
• Recover the functions of the tendons, bones and joints
• Eliminate tiredness and fatigue
• Cure diseases and strengthen the body
• Stop pain
