HSC3521 2: WEEK 2 Lecture 2
Lecture 2 Meridians – The Invisible Pathways of Qi The meridians were named for the life function associated with them. Through these meridians passes the Qi that enters the body through specific acupuncture points and then flows deeper to the organ structure. The acupuncture points that exist along the meridians can be located by using your hand, micro current or muscle testing. It is said that yang energy flows from the sun and will run from the fingers to the face and from the face to the feet. Yin energy will flow from the earth to the feet then to the torso and from the torso along the inside of the arms to the finger tips. Qi flows in one definite direction and from one meridian to another in a well determined order. When Qi flows freely through the meridians the body is balanced and healthy. But if the energy becomes blocked, stagnated or weakened, it can result in physical, mental or emotional ill health. An acupuncturist will restore the balance by stimulating the acupuncture points to counteract that imbalance. If the Qi is too cold for example, points will be chosen to warm it. If too weak, points will be used to strength it. Unblocking this energy will result in rebalancing the energy system, restoring health and prevent development of disease. Please refer the following site to view the meridians and their pathways. http://www.yinyanghouse.com/acupuncturepoints/locations_theory
_and_clinical_applications The Horary Cycle In Chinese medicine, the body is believed to go through a 24 hour energy cycle where each energy center peaks during a particular period of time. In 24 hours, you will spend two hours in each of the twelve meridians and end up where you started. The end of one is connected to the beginning of the next, forming ONE complete loop. So each meridian has a two hour peak time and twelve hours later a two hour low point. This is called the Horary Cycle or more familiarly circadian rhythm. The 12 different meridians are named after organs (liver, lung, etc.). The ancient Chinese calculated which was at its peak during the 24-hour period. If we start at 3:00 a.m., the lung meridian is at its horary period for two hours. Two hours later, the large intestine meridian takes over as the most energized, and holds that position for another two hours. Others follow suit and continue around the circuit. The last in the cycle is the liver meridian, which is at its energetic zenith from 1:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m. Then the cycle begins again. This horary period is in relation to the position of the sun.
The Horary Cycle begins with the Lung and end switch the Liver.
Let's Review: There are 12 main meridians 8 extra Meridians, 2 of which have their own points, 6 are "opened" using point combinations from other channels.
2 extra meridians with points are the midline channels up the front and back, DU/Governing and Ren/Conception. Yin Channels are on the front of the body or the medial/inside of the limbs. Yin energy is said to be from the earth and flows from the feet to the torso and from the torso along the inside of the arms to the fingertips. Yang Channels flow on the back of the body, and the lateral/outside of the limbs. Yang energy is said to flow from the sun and run from the fingers to the face or from the face to the feet. The Stomach channel is the exception: on front of face, torso, outside of lower legs. Also understand that the energy flows in one definite direction and from one meridian to another in a well determined order. There are 3 Yin Channels of the hand, the flow is chest to hand: Lung, Heart, Pericardium There are 3 yin Channels of the foot, the flow is foot to abdomen Liver, Kidney, Spleen There are 3 yang channels of the hand, the flow is hand to head Large Intestine, San Jiao, Small Intestine There are 3 yang channels of the foot, he flow is head to foot Gallbladder, Urinary Bladder, Stomach***only yang channel on front of body Exterior channel flow:
The channels have exterior and interior pathways, the following concerns where the channels flow on the exterior, where we access the points. Functions of Meridians/Collaterals 1) Transport Qi and blood and regulates yin and yang 2) Resist pathogens and reflect symptoms and signs (may transmit pathogens deeper) Internal diseases may also "show" along meridians/collaterals. 3) Transmits needle sensation and regulates deficient and excess conditions. The key to an Acupuncture treatment is to regulate yin and yang Arrival of Qi is essential to obtaining therapeutic effects. Both patient and physician should feel Qi come to needle. As a patient you will know if Qi has been grasped by the needle. The sensations you may feel may be a tingling, heaviness, dull ache or even similar to an electric shock. <> Points and such: There are over 350 points along the main meridian pathways. You can locate these small palpable spots by hand, micro current or muscle testing. There are many "extra" points that are not associated with any meridian, but are known to have clinical effects. "Ashi" points are points that hurt "Ashi!" put a needle where it hurts is what MDs, and other amateurs learn, but it does have
clinical value. A true prescription of points would include local, distal and ashi points if applicable. Ashi alone will have minor effects, and usually not long term. As we have been discussing in week 1, we know that when Qi flows freely through the body, or in this case, the meridians, the body is balanced and healthy. If the energy becomes blocked, weakened or stagnated, it can become physical, mental or emotionally ill health. As we move into our chapter on acupuncture, we see that acupuncturists will restore the balance by stimulating the points on the meridians to counteract that imbalance. Sometimes it can be as simple as choosing points to warm if the Qi is too cold. Or strengthening points if the Qi is too weak.