Holistic Curing - Acupuncture

Points | Channels

Channels Overview

Channels (also referred to as Meridians or Vessels), are three-dimensional pathways through which Qi and Blood flow through the body. These Channels exist at various levels of the body from the more superficial ones covering the skin and cutaneous layers, to the deeply lying visceral ones. The Channels (Meridians) are the main trunks. They run longitudinally and interiorly within the body to connect with the Internal Organs.

The Collaterals are the branches of the main Channels and they run transversely (sideways) and superficially from the Channels to join the skin, muscles, tissues and joints. Together the Channels and Collaterals form a comprehensive network linking the tissues and organs to form an organic whole.

There are 12 Organ-Channels directly connected with the 'twelve' Internal Organs. There are also eight Extraordinary Vessels which are additional channels not associated with any particular organ, and dozens of other types of channels diverging from the main channels and connecting with each other. These are called the Collaterals, Connecting Vessels and Divergent Channels. There are also channels that distribute superficially over the Cutaneous and Tendino-Muscular areas.

The 12 Organ-Channels provide connections between the Internal Organs and their respective 'openings' and sensory organs. In this way, the Channels can be thought of as defining the organs' spheres of influence in the body. These 12 Channels are actually 24 in number as they exist bilaterally on each side of the midline of the body.

There are no biomedical equivalents of Channels. Channels are not nerve pathways, although specific points along the channels may stimulate specific nerves, specific areas of the central and peripheral nervous systems, and Channels on the limbs often follow the nerve pathways. Channels are not blood vessels, although specific points may stimulate the blood and the vascular system. Channels are not lymph vessels although specific points may stimulate the lymph and lymphatic system. Channels are also not connective tissue routes although acupuncture stimulation may also exert an influence over the connective tissues.

Because of the lack of direct translation to Western physiology, Western science has, until recent years, questioned their legitimacy. With the advent of MRI technology, however, scientists not only have captured on film the acupuncture-induced neural activities of the brain, but have also captured some of the acupuncture Channels. With refinements in MRI technology we expect to see many more visual evidence of their existence in the near future.

The Channels

A. Twelve Primary Organ Channels

The 12 Organ Channels occur symmetrically on both sides of the midline of the body to make up a total of 24 Channels.
There are three Yin and three Yang Channels traversing the arm. There are also three Yin and three Yang Channels traversing the leg. These are mirrored on the opposite side of the body.
Each Channel has a specified number of acupoints occurring at fixed locations along the Channel.
These Channels have a direct connection with, and flow through, their relevant Yin or Yang organs.
A Yin-Organ Channel flows to its paired Yang-Organ Channel or the Yang-Organ Channel flows to its paired Yin-Organ Channel before moving on to the next pair.
There is a sequential and cyclical flow of Qi through the Channels. One of the dominant interpretations of the sequence is as follows:

Yin channel paired with Yang channel

Lung -	→ -	Large Intestine ↓
Spleen ↓	← -	Stomach -
Heart -	→ -	Small Intestine ↓
Kidney ↓	← -	Bladder -
Pericardium -	→ -	San Jiao ↓
Liver	←	Gall Bladder

(returns to Lung Channel to repeat the cycle)

An example of Channel flow between a Yin-Yang pair is provided:

Lung Channel: Lung Channel begins near the Stomach area, passes downward to connect with the Large Intestine Organ, and returns upward through the diaphragm to enter the Lung Organ. It emerges at its first point (Lung 1) at the lateral side of the chest near the fold of the armpit and proceeds downward along the anterior aspect of the arm to end at the radial side of the thumb. A branch splits from the main channel at the acupoint Lung 7 (near the wrist), to travel to the tip of the index finger where it joins the Large Intestine Channel.

Large Intestine Channel: Large Intestine Channel begins at the radial side of the tip of the index finger, proceeds upward along the index finger to the lateral aspect of arm, rises to the shoulder, crosses behind the shoulder, enters into the supraclavicular fossa to connect with its paired Lung Organ, and descends to the Large Intestine Organ. A Branch splits from the main channel at the supraclavicular fossa and moves up through the neck, crosses the cheek, enters the lower gums, curves around the lip to the opposite side of the face and ends at the side of the nose where it connects with the Stomach Channel, etc.

B. Eight Extraordinary Vessels

The Eight Extraordinary Vessels share the function of circulating Qi and Blood throughout the body. Unlike the 12 Primary Organ-Channels, these do not pertain to any Organ. Apart from the Du and Ren Vessels which have their own acupoints, the other six share points with the 12 Primary Organ Channels.
The Eight Extraordinary Vessels are:
1. Governing (Du) Vessel: Du Vessel governs all the Yang Channels of the body. All the Yang Channels converge with this channel. There are four pathways but mainly, they traverse the midline of the back of the body through the spinal column, up to the top of the head, and down the midline of the front of the face to end inside the mouth. The Du Vessel supplies the brain and spinal cord and has its own set of points.
2. Conception (Ren) Vessel: Ren Vessel governs all the Yin Channels of the body. All the Yin Channels converge with this channel. There are two pathways. One pathway arises from the lower abdomen and traverses the front midline of the body to the chin. The other pathway enters the spine and rises along the back with the Du Vessel. Its function is to receive and bear the Qi of the Yin Organs.
3. Chong Vessel: Chong Vessel arises from the pelvic cavity and runs parallel with the Kidney Channel from the lower abdomen to the eye area. This is called the Sea of Blood as it functions as a reservoir of Qi and Blood of the 12 Organ-Channels. The Chong Vessel is particularly implicated in gynecology and disorders of the reproductive organs.
4. Girdle Vessel: Girdle Vessel encircles the waist and its function is to 'bind up all the meridians'. This Vessel can be involved in disorders of the lower half of the body.
5. Yang Heel Vessel: Yang Heel Vessel starts at the outer ankles and rises upward on the outer (lateral) aspect of the body to meet the Yin Heel Vessel at the eyes.
6. Yin Heel Vessel: Yin Heel Vessel starts at the inner ankles and rises upward along the inner thigh to meet the Yang Heel Vessel at the eyes.
  
  Jointly, the Yang and Yin Heel Vessels regulate movement of the legs.
7. Yang Link Vessel: Yang Link Vessel starts at the outer (lateral) side of the foot to rise up along the lateral side of the body, lateral neck and head. It connects with all the Yang Channels and dominates the Exterior of the body.
8. Yin Link Vessel: Yin Link Vessel starts above the inner ankles and rises up along the inner thighs, abdomen, chest and ends near the throat. It connects with all the Yin meridians and dominates the interior of the body.
  
  Jointly, the Yang Link and Yin Link Vessels regulate the flow of Qi in the Yin and Yang Channels, and help maintain equilibrium and coordination between the Yin and Yang Channels.

C. Twelve Divergent and Fifteen Collaterals

The 12 Divergent and 15 Collaterals branch out from the 12 Primary Organ Channels.
The Divergents run deeper in the body and govern the inside while the Collaterals distribute over the body surface and control the surface.
They help connect and strengthen the relationship between the Exteriorly-Internally related Yin and Yang Channels.

D. Twelve Muscle Regions and Twelve Cutaneous Regions

These are regions where the Qi and Blood of the Channels nourish the muscles, tendons and skin.
Muscle Regions are distributed under the skin while the Cutaneous Regions are located in the outermost layers of the skin.

Qi Circulation in the Channels

The behavior, distribution, and flow of Qi in the body vary with the type of Qi as follows:

A. Nutritive Qi (Ying Qi)

Nutritive Qi is derived from the food nutrients in the Stomach and Spleen.
Nutritive Qi is related to Blood in that the transformation of Nutritive Qi contributes to the formation of Blood. Nutritive Qi and Blood are inseparable as the two flow together in the blood vessels and Channels to nourish and warm the internal organs and the entire body. Its importance is related to its function of regulating the 5 Yin organs (Liver, Heart, Spleen, Lungs and Kidneys) while moistening the 6 Yang organs (Gallbladder, Small Intestines, Stomach, Large Intestine, San Jiao and Urinary Bladder)
There are more than one interpretation of the sequential and cyclical flow of Nutritive Qi in the Channels. One of the more popular views was provided above under 12 Primary Organ Channels.

B. Defensive Qi (Wei Qi)

Defensive Qi is also formed from the nutrients in food but it is characteristically more 'lubricating' and 'slippery' than Nutritive Qi. Its characteristics enable it to slip in and out of the Channels and tissues.
During the day, Defensive Qi flows on the Exterior (outside the channels) between the skin and muscles. It is able to move both inside and outside the Channels to spread to and penetrate the surrounding tissues. Whereas, Nutritive Qi is retained within the walls of the Channels.
Its function is to protect the body from exterior pathogenic factors such bacterial and viral infections; to warm the muscles; and to open and close the pores of the skin.
Although Defensive Qi flows on the exterior (between skin and muscles) and is responsible for protecting the exterior while the Nutritive Qi nourishes the interior, Defensive Qi also affects the interior as well. This is because in the evening, Defensive Qi flows inward to warm the Yin organs.
In a 24-hour period Defensive Qi circulates throughout the body 50 times: 25 times on the Exterior during the day, and 25 times in the Interior during the night.

C. Original Qi (Yuan Qi)

Yuan Qi is Essence transformed and manifested as Qi. Original Qi is the foundation of all the Yin and Yang energies of the body. It is the basal energy and the basis for all the functional activities of the Channels.
The Nutritive and Defensive Qi's circulate through the body motivated by the Original Qi.
As such, Original Qi may circulate with the Nutritive Qi in the channels and also spread to and penetrate the tissues along with Defensive Qi. Additionally, Original Qi utilizes a special envoy, the San Jiao, as its main vehicle of transport within the trunk of the body.

For additional information on Qi, please see Vital Substances under Asian Medical Theory.

Functions of Channels and Collaterals

Because the network of Channels and Collaterals connect with all the organic components of the body including skin, muscles, tissues, bones and organs, they assume a vital role in human physiology, pathology, treatment and prevention. The main functions of Channels and Collaterals are:

A. Transport Qi and Blood, moisten and nourish the body, and regulate Yin and Yang

Channels and Collaterals transport Qi and Blood to adjust Yin and Yang, and nourish all the organic components of the body.
Qi reflects the Yang aspect of substances and Blood reflects the Yin aspect.
It is by means of the Channels that Qi and Blood spread throughout the body to provide the functional force (Qi) and nourishment (Blood, Yin and Body Fluids).

B. Resisting Pathogens and responding to the dysfunctions of the body

When the normal functioning of the body is interrupted, imbalance and illness occurs.
Channels respond to the presence of imbalance (disease) by reflecting symptoms and signs.
Symptoms and signs may be manifested on certain acupoints or Pain Points (Ashi) by way of spontaneous tenderness or tenderness on palpation.

C. Transmitting disease

External diseases invading the body can travel interiorly to the Internal Organs via the Channels and Collaterals.
Conversely, internal diseases originating from the Organs can travel exteriorly to the Skin and Muscles via the same Channels and Collaterals.

D. Transmitting acupuncture stimulation

Acupuncture utilizes the Channels and Collaterals to send its Qi and Blood regulating effects to local and distant targets.
The 'arrival of Qi' or 'De Qi' is a sensation of heaviness, fullness, warmth, soreness, etc., that is felt at the puncture site upon successful needling of an acupoint. This is considered the functional manifestation of the Channels and Collaterals after successful transmission of the needling stimulation.

Channel vs. Organ Pathologies

In one respect, the Organs and their relevant Channels form an inseparable energetic unit. Yet there is also individualism between them. Their unity is reflected in the fact that disorders of the Internal Organs can affect their relevant Channels, and disorders that start in the Channels can move inward to affect their relevant Internal Organs. On the other hand, their individual identities are reflected by the fact that Channels pertain to the superficial Exterior energetic layers of the body, while the Organs pertain to the Interior of the body.

The superficial layers of the body include the skin, muscles and Channels. The internal layers include the Organs and bones. A disease that starts in a Channel can move to its relevant Organ, and vice versa, revealing their energetic unity. Conversely, a disease may occur in one layer without affecting the other layer, confirming their energetic separateness.

For example, a sciatic-like leg pain that travels along the Bladder Channel at the back of the legs without any other Bladder-Organ symptoms, such as urinary problems, reflects a disorder of the Bladder Channel that has not affected the Bladder Organ. Conversely, urinary disorders without any Channel related muscular symptoms may reflect a disorder of the Bladder Organ that has not affected the Bladder Channel. However, if a person who has endured chronic urinary problems, long-term, later starts to manifest muscular and other Channel related symptoms, then the Internal Bladder Organ disorder is said to have moved to the External layer to affect its Channel.

Each of the 12 Primary Organ Channels and their Connecting and Muscle Channels, as well as the Eight Extraordinary Vessels have a set of pathology specific to those Channels which are distinct and separate from the pathologies of their relevant Organs. In the treatment of any disorder, the practitioner must first deduce whether the disorder involves a problem related to the Channel or Organ or both. The Treatment Principles will vary according to the findings and diagnoses.