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Acu-points
Simply explained, the meridians are a network of channels that transport Qi (energy), and acu-points are places along the meridians where the Qi is accessible -i.e. close to the surface of the skin. Although, there are numerous "extra points" that are found outside of the Meridian network. Stimulation of acu-points -like with finger pressure, needles or heat- influences the local area and various functions of related Organ Meridian(s).
The Chinese word for "acu-point" is "xue". B.C. acupuncturist Arnie Lade says, "The original character for xue contains the image of something precious buried in a small hole in the earth (most likely referring to the placement of the dead in auspiciously positioned burial holes or graves)."
Meridians, an Energetic System
The meridians are a network of channels that transport Qi. An Organ Meridian is a channel that transports Qi to the related internal organ, sense organ, and body parts-including, of course, the tissues along its route.
The Meridians are the pathways which distribute the energies of the organs to all parts of the body. These pathways occur externally on the skin and also pass deep inside the body through the organs.It is also believed that external cosmic energies communicate with the internal man via the meridians and that sickness is an imbalance or disorganization of energy within either a meridian or the organ or both.
Generally named for the related internal organ, the twelve Organ Meridians are: the Lung, Large Intestine, Stomach, Spleen, Heart, Small Intestine, Bladder, Kidney, Pericardium, Triple Warmer, Gall Bladder, and Liver Meridians.
Each Organ receives Qi (vital energy) through its meridian and its related functions can be influenced by stimulating points along its meridian. Thus, by influencing the Meridians we affect the Organs, and vice versa. In this fashion, a cu-points along a Meridian are gateways to influence the Meridians."
The word "Organ" is usually capitalized in books on acupuncture and acupressure, to indicate that the reference is to an energetic functional whole. An Organ includes an internal organ, a sense and sense organ, a body fluid, particular body parts, and certain emotions and/or defensive attitudes, all of which are related to a particular season and climatic condition.
Qi (life-energy) is derived from the air we breathe, the food and liquids we take in, and other subtle elements we absorb (as in through the skin or senses). The process whereby these elements are transformed into the true body energy (Zhen Qi) is analogous to, and yet different from, the digestive process.
It should noted that the Chinese healing arts essentially take an energetic functional approach. In acupuncture and acupressure theory, the emphasis is on energetic function, not on physical form. From this functional perspective, the Organs are their functions, so explanations of structural and physiological mechanisms are unnecessary.
Chi and Blood
Qi and Blood circulate throughout the body via a network of channels (meridians), allowing an intimate relationship between the internal Viscera and the periphery of the body to be maintained. This would point out to both a communicative function, as well as a defensive capacity of the Meridians."
While the meridians are said to carry Qi and Blood, the meridians are NOT the blood vessels, and cannot be seen. There is a saying in Chinese medicine that goes: 'Qi is the commander of Blood, and Blood is the mother of Qi,' pointing to an energetic relationship that implies that Qi is the motive force behind Blood while Blood nourishes Qi.
When chronic tension develops in the area of major acu-points, it disrupts the flow of Qi along the meridian and, hence, obstructs the nourishment of the related Organ. Release of tension in the area of an acu-point facilitates the smooth flow of Qi in the meridians that go through that area, and vice versa.
Research suggests that the meridians are located in interfascial spaces (spaces between the fibrous membranes which support and separate the muscles).
Meridians and Myofascial tracks
Webster's Dictionary defines fascia as "a thin layer of connective tissue covering, supporting or connecting muscles or inner organs."
Taber's Medical Dictionary says fascia is "a fibrous membrane covering, supporting, and separating muscles. It also unites the skin with underlying tissues. Fascia may be superficial, a nearly subcutaneous covering permitting free movement of the skin, or it may be deep, enveloping and binding muscles."
Research suggests that the meridians, which appear as functionally-related series of points, or pathways along which the vital energy flows, are located in interfascial spaces (spaces between the fibrous membranes which support and separate the muscles).
In fact, one of the reasons Acupressure is so effective for tension release, may be due to the fact that many of the basic acu-points correspond to key junctions where bone, muscle and fascia overlap, while other are in the path of myofascial 'tracks.'
To support this reasoning, we can point out that releasing an acu-point not only relaxes the local tension, but also releases other muscles - those that contribute to the tension through fascial connections. Is is as if, the release of a local point stimulates a spontaneous reorganization along the myofascial 'track. Or to use another metaphor, the local point acts like a tuning fork. It is as though all the fascia that relate to that local point organize themselves around its frequency.
Fascia is composed primarily of collagenous and elastic fibers within a colloidal or glue-like ground substance. Collagen fibers are highly pliable and tough, and form the bulk of the fascia, while elastic fibers are stretchable, giving fascia greater flexibility. The majority of fascial fibers in the body orient themselves in a longitudinal direction; as do the majority of the Meridians.
Fascia can be equated to the conduit for meridian Qi, the physical medium through which the meridians operate, for the following two main reasons:
1) The fascia is distributed throughout the body. It is a single, continuous, mobile sheet of connective tissue wrapping itself around virtually every structure inside the body.
2) Fascia is highly responsive to electrical and magnetic influences, and a sensitive biological amplifier of subtle external forces like changes in weather and seasonal changes.
3) Fascia allows for an amazing amount of responsiveness because of its mobility and elasticity, allowing pain, tension and stress to be easily diffused and rapidly communicated throughout the whole body.
It should be noted that although the fascia is a continuous network, three types of fascia are actually differentiated: superficial, deep, and visceral.
Superficial fascia, which lies beneath the skin, and helps to maintain body heat and protect against trauma. It corresponds to the meridian's exterior pathways and the deep and visceral fascial layers to its internal pathways.
Deep fascia, which covers and holds muscles, tendons and ligaments together, as well as separating them into functional units. It helps the meridians connect with the brain and spinal cord.
Visceral fascia, which envelops and supports the internal organs and stabilizes them structurally, by anchoring them. It helps the meridians to directly communicate with the organs
In this manner, all the fascial linings act as energetic envelopes which protect and maintain any particular structure's integrity.
In fact, even ancient acupuncture texts contain several references to fat, greasy membranes, fasciae and systems of connecting membranes through which qi is believed to flow.
A body of research provides support to this theory with ultrasound images showing connective tissue cleavage planes at acupuncture points in normal human subjects. The same research has found 80% correspondence between the sites of 24 acupuncture points on the human arm and the location of intermuscular or intramuscular connective tissue planes (in postmortem tissue sections).
Based on these finding, the researchers note that the same description fits both "meridians" and "interstitial connective tissue." Both "form a network throughout the body, connecting peripheral tissues to each other and to central viscera." Interstitial connective tissue "constitutes a continuous network enveloping all limb muscles, bones, and tendons, extending into connective tissue planes of pelvic and shoulder girdles, abdominal and chest walls, neck, and head." Therefore, "a form of signaling (mechanical, bioelectrical, and/or biochemical) transmitted through interstitial connective tissue . . . may have potentially powerful integrative functions. . ."
And Energetic Functional Approach
While the theory that Qi travels along the Organ Meridians via interfascial spaces is fascinating, from an energetic functional viewpoint, it does not matter exactly what the meridians are composed of, or through which structures their routes go, as long as one can find and compassionately hold the points, and can choose appropriate points, based on their traditional associations - which is to say, their energetic functions. |
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The Meridians
In Chinese medicine the channels that conduct energy throughout the body are called "meridians." These conduits form a network. If the network is disrupted, if blockages occur, the body will not function properly - Chi, Ching, and Shen do not flow as required, the organs will not perform their function, and imbalance arises. When the meridians are clear and open, energy flows freely and all is well once more.
Similarly, the highways within our subtle body from the yogic perspective, as discovered by the ancient yogis were made up of thousands upon thousands of individual passageways, which they called the nadis. Some text suggested there were seventy-two thousand nadis while other texts claimed there were three hundred thousand.
As in India, the Chinese mystics were finding out that not all channels are equally important. The Indian yogis described eleven nadis by name and further claimed that only three were really important for spiritual practice. In China, with a greater concern over physical well-being and longevity, seventy-one meridians were named and of these, fourteen were most important. Each of the ten major organs has its associated meridian, and the meridian may be yin or yang, depending upon the zang or fu nature of the organ it pertains to. Additionally, the pericardium and the San Jiao also have their associated meridians, which, along with the others, make up twelve major meridians, known as a group as Jing Mai. We can consider these twelve to be major channels.
Each of the major channels has one or more collateral channels, side roads leading to destinations other than the pertaining organ. Along the meridians are found special points that can be stimulated, through acupuncture, to mobilize energy or remove blockages. On the major meridians, there are three hundred and sixty-one regular points, although during an examination a Chinese doctor may discover even more. In more recent times, a branch of acupuncture focusing just on the ear has discovered fifty-four additional points on each ear.
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6 Lower Body Meridians
The six meridians that begin or end in the lower body are of most interest to Yin Yoga practitioners. These are the lines affected the most by the yin asanas. They are the Liver, Gall Bladder, Kidney, Urinary Bladder, Spleen, and Stomach meridians.
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The Gall Bladder Meridian
The Gall Bladder meridian begins at the outer corner of the eye (close to the Liver meridian, which passes through the center of the eye) and immediately branches into two lines. A main branch remains on the surface and winds back and forth across the side of the head and above the ear, before turning downward along the side of the neck. After following the top of the shoulder, it passes under the arm and zigzags along the side of the ribs to the hips. The other branch goes inside the cheek and descends to the liver and gall bladder. From there it descends farther and emerges in time to rejoin the first branch at the front of the hip. The single line then descends, running along the outside (lateral) thigh and knee until it reaches the ankle. It runs across the top of the foot until it reaches the fourth toe; however, another branch leaves at the ankle to run across the top of the foot and join the Liver meridian at the big toe.
Headache, blurred vision, and pains along the side of the body including the eyes, ears, and throat may be an indication of problems with the Gall Bladder meridian. |
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The Kidney Meridian
The Kidney meridian begins at the outside of the little toe and immediately goes under the sole of the foot. It follows the arch, makes a circle around the inner ankle and then it runs through the heel, and comes up the inmost (medial) side of the leg (just beneath the Liver meridian) and into the tailbone. It follows the spine to the kidney and then branches. One branch heads to the Urinary Bladder, where it comes back to the surface of the abdomen and up the chest, ending at the clavicle. The other branch touches the liver and diaphragm and moves up through the lungs and throat until it ends beside the root of the tongue.
Disharmony of the Kidney meridian is suggested by gynecological problems, genital disorders, and problems in the kidneys, lungs, and throat. Examples may include impotence, frequent urination, and weakness in the lower limbs. Emotional problems may also occur related to anxiety and fear. |
The Urinary Bladder Meridian
Like the Gall Bladder meridian, the Urinary Bladder meridian also begins at the eye. The Urinary Bladder line starts at the inner eye and then goes up, across the forehead, to the crown. One branch splits here, enters the brain, and then reemerges at the scapula and runs just inside the line of the scapula down the spine to the buttocks, where it reenters the body and runs to the urinary bladder and the kidney. The second branch from the crown flows down the back of the neck and shoulder and runs just outside and parallel to the first branch. This branch continues down the back of the buttocks and legs, circles the outer ankle, runs along the outer edge of the foot, and ends in the small toe where the Kidney meridian begins. Dr. Motoyama believes that the ida and pingala nadis correspond to the Urinary Bladder meridians, because they run along either side of the spine.
Signs of disharmony in the Urinary Bladder may include backaches, headaches, an inability to urinate, mental problems, and disease of the lower limbs. |
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The Spleen Meridian
Starting at the inside of the big toe, the Spleen meridian runs along the inside of the foot, then turns and runs up the inside of the ankle and the shin. It runs just in front of the Liver meridian and enters the abdominal cavity, just above the pubic bone. It connects to the spleen and then the stomach, where it branches. The main branch comes to the surface and runs up the chest to the throat where it again enters the body, going to the root of the tongue, where it spreads out. The second branch remains internal and reaches the heart, connecting to the Heart meridian.
Indications of Spleen disharmony include stomach problems, flatulence, vomiting, and bloating. Unreasonable worry may also arise. |
The Stomach
Beginning at the side of the nose, the Stomach meridian rises to the corner of the eye (where it connects to the Urinary Bladder meridian) before descending along the side of the nose, to enter the upper gum, and follow the outer lips to the lower jaw, toward the joint of the jaw. It branches here with one branch ascending along the front of the ear to the forehead. The other branch descends through the body to the diaphragm, and runs to the stomach and spleen. A third branch emerges from the lower jaw and runs across the outside of the body, crossing the chest and belly, until it terminates in the groin.
The line that runs through the stomach reconnects with this third branch and runs downward along the front of the leg, reaching the top of the foot. Here it splits again, with the main branch ending in the outside (lateral) tip of the second toe. The other branch reaches the inner (medial) side of the big toe where it meets the Spleen meridian. Just below the knee an additional branch splits off and runs to the lateral side of the third toe.
Like the Spleen meridian, problems with the Stomach meridian may be indicated by abdominal problems such as bloating, vomiting, pain in any of the areas the meridian passes through (mouth, nose, teeth, etc.), as well as mental problems. |
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There are six meridians that begin or end in the fingers of the hands. They all pass through the shoulder or armpit. The Yin Yoga practice does not often target these lines.
The six upper body meridians are the Heart, Small Intestine, Large Intestine, Lung, Pericardium, and San Jiao. |
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The Heart Meridian
The three branches of the Heart meridian begin in the heart. One branch flows downward through the diaphragm to meet the small intestines. Another rises up alongside the throat and ends in the lower eye. The third runs across the chest, through the lungs, and comes out through the armpit. It flows along the midline of the inside upper arm, through the inner elbow, along the midline of the inner lower arm, until it crosses the wrist and palm, before ending in the inside tip of the little finger where it connects to the Small Intestine meridian.
Disorders of the heart and chest such as palpitations, pain, insomnia, night sweats, and mental problems may signal problems with the Heart meridian. |
The Small Intestine Meridian
Starting where the Heart meridian ends, the Small Intestine meridian begins at the outer tip of the little finger. It runs along the back edge of the hand, through the wrist, upward along the outer forearm and upper arm, to the shoulder. After circling the back of the shoulder, it meets the Governor Vessel meridian. Here it branches, with one branch going inside the body and descending through the heart, diaphragm, and stomach before ending in the small intestine. Another branch ascends along the side of the neck to the cheek and outer corner of the eye from where it then goes to the ear. Another small branch leaves the cheek to run to the inner eye where it meets the Urinary Bladder meridian.
Disharmony in the Small Intestine meridian may be indicated by ear, eye, or stomach problems such as deafness, pain in the lower abdomen, or pain in the shoulders or neck. |
The Lung Meridian
The Lung meridian begins inside the belly just above the navel, and drops down to the large intestines. From here it comes back up through the diaphragm and connects to the stomach. It ascends through the lungs and follows the throat before coming to the front surface of the shoulder from under the clavicle. From here it runs along the outer, thumb side (medial/radial) of the upper arm and the front (anterior) of the lower arm. It crosses the wrist and ends at the outer tip of the thumb. A small branch goes from the wrist to the tip of the index finger, where it connects to the Large Intestine meridian.
Respiratory problems like coughs, asthma, and chest pains may signify Lung meridian dysfunction. Extreme and persistent sadness and grief may also indicate problems here. |
The Large Intestine Meridian
Beginning at the tip of the index finger, the Large Intestine meridian runs between the thumb and forefinger and along the outside (lateral side) of the arm. It comes over the outside top of the shoulder and along the back of the shoulder blades to the spine. Here it branches, with one branch descending through the lungs, diaphragm, and the large intestines. The second branch ascends along the neck and the lower cheek, and enters the lower gum, circling the lower teeth. On the outside, this line also circles the upper lips, crosses under the nose and rises up to join the Stomach meridian.
Problems in the mouth, teeth, nose, and throat such as toothaches and sore throats, as well as problems with the neck and shoulders, may indicate disharmony of the Large Intestine meridian. |
The Pericardium Meridian
The pericardium covers the heart and is considered in Chinese medicine to be an organ function of its own. The Pericardium meridian begins in the chest and connects to the pericardium. From here it moves down the chest, connecting the three sections of the San Jiao meridian. Another branch moves horizontally across the chest, coming to the surface of the ribs, moves up and around the armpit and down the front of the bicep and forearm to the palm, and ends at the tip of the middle finger. A small branch leads from the palm to the tip of the ring finger where it connects to the San Jiao meridian.
Pain in the heart area, poor circulation, some stomach problems, and mental problems may indicate disharmony of the Pericardium meridian. |
The San Jiao Meridian
The San Jiao meridian is often called the "Triple Burner" or "Triple Energizer." It begins in the ring finger where the Pericardium meridian ends. It runs over the back of the hand, the wrist, and lower arm. It passes the outer point of the elbow and the back (lateral) of the upper arm to the back (posterior) shoulder. From here it comes over the shoulder to the front of the body and enters the chest beneath the sternum. Here it branches, with the main branch running to the pericardium and continuing down through the diaphragm to the three burners: upper, middle and lower. The second branch ascends along the side of the neck, circles the back of the ear and then circles the side of the face. Another small branch emerges from the back of the ear and connects to the Gall Bladder meridian at the outer corner of the eye.
Problems associated with the San Jiao meridian may occur in the side of the face, neck, or throat, or in the abdomen. Examples could include deafness, ringing in the ears, bloating, and urinary difficulties. |
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Governor and Conception Vessels
As we have just seen, the meridian system is made up of the lines connecting the five yin and six yang organs plus the pericardium. Beyond these twelve, there are eight additional meridians that a Chinese doctor must know. These remaining eight are beyond our scope; however, we will visit the two most important: the Governor Vessel and the Conception Vessel meridians. These two are considered important because they have acupuncture points separate from those on any of the other twelve main meridians. All the other extra meridians share points with the main meridians. |
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The Governor Vessel
Dr. Motoyama associates the Governor Vessel with the sushumna nadi. It begins within the lower belly and splits in three. Two smaller branches ascend to connect to each kidney. The third, and main branch descends to the perineum where it enters the tip of the spinal chord and then rises up the spine to the brain. This branch comes over the top of the skull, down the middle of the forehead and nose, and terminates in the upper gum. Dr. Motoyama recommends the practice of nadi shodana to purify this meridian.
The Governor Vessel run along the front and back of the torso. its lines also contain the front and back of each chakra.
Also, when we breathe and draw energy up the Governor Vessel and down the Conception Vessel, we are completing the Microcosmic Orbit. |
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