What Are Meridians?

chinese medicine, acupuncture, yin and yang, meridians, acupuncture points

The Meridian System (Jing Luo) is a network of channels that connects internally with organs and tissues. This invisible roadmap courses throughout the body superficially and contains access points through which qi and blood may be manipulated. These portals are used as acupuncture points. There are 12 channels that link with major organs and for which they are named (e.g., The Lung Meridian physically attaches to the lungs). There are also 8extra routes that join these main thoroughfares, although only two of them have acupuncture points of their own.

 

The meridians are classified as Yin or Yang, depending upon their associated organ. Running (mostly) longitudinally, they appear symmetrically from the midline, on the left and right sides. 6 are on the upper limbs, 6 on the lower limbs. Yin pathways connect with Yin (Zang) organs and are on the inner aspects of the body (on the abdomen, and the inner arms and legs); whereas Yang pathways connect with Yang (Fu) organs and are on the outer aspects of the body (the backside and outer arms and legs). The WHO recognizes about 400 points, but many practitioners believe in about 2,000 points.

 

Since the meridians transport qi and blood, the acupuncture points may be needled and then manipulated to elicit specific effects aimed at balancing yin and yang energies and regulating the flow of qi and blood. All the points have different therapeutic influences and may be useful for resisting pathogens and reflecting signs and symptoms of disease. For example, a point might be tender if a patient has an ailment within that channel, or with that channel’s corresponding organ.

 

If there is congestion within a pathway, symptoms might arise along its course. For example, a toothache might result if there is heat within the Stomach Meridian, since it travels up to the face, through the gums and the upper teeth. On the other hand, an internal organ’s ailment might be remedied by needling its corresponding channel. For instance, a low sex drive manifesting from kidney yang deficiency might be helped by reinforcing specific points along the Kidney Meridian. A needle sensation is felt when the qi arrives at the area after insertion or manipulation. In this way, the acupuncture points and meridians regulate a deficiency or excess condition and balance the body.

 

Before modern medicine, acupuncture points were defined by anatomical landmarks and through proportional measurements. In today’s textbooks, they are described with scientific terms. There are many theories about how this esoteric system of healing may work, but nothing is definitive thus far. Some of these concepts include the blocking of nerve sensations to the central nervous system, the release of endorphins (the body’s natural painkillers), or conduction through the fascial system (connective tissue that encases organs and tissues).More research is needed to explore these theories, but in the meantime, one thing is clear: you don’t have to believe in meridians or acupuncture points for the treatment to work!

 

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