pathway of Qi

*electrical resistance lower on meridian lines

Luo Channels

How many and how named and what direction

• branch of Jing (collateral)
• 12 collaterals named after starting point only one way, do not go back to starting point

Regular Channels

How many, Names and Characteristics

12 regular meridians

Deepest to surface:

-Primary Channels: most important, main passage, fixed distribution, direct connection with specific organ, deepest

-Divergent channel: more connection inside organs

-Sinew channel: cover muscle system

-Luo connecting channels: branches of primary meridians, strengthen connection btwn internally-externally paired channels/organs

-Cutaneous: most surface, on skin

-unorganized, no fixed distribution

-can attach to different organs

-no acupoints

-8 extraordinary meridians

-EXAMPLES:

• Du- from lower abdomen to anus up spine to vortex to upper lip, controls Yang channels
• Ren- controls Yin channels

*These extraordinary channels have points*

• -Four Seas
• -Root and Merge/Branch
• -Biao and Ben
• -Lane of Qi (Qi Jie)

Areas that are collection of Qi

1)Sea of Blood (lower abdomen)

2)Sea of Qi (chest)

3)Sea of Food and Fluid (abdomen)

4)Sea of Marrow (brain)

• root: distal area of extremities
• merge: trunk

• Ben: (root) distal area of extremities

• biao: brown of tree

• Lane of Qi

• certain important parts of body where Qi passes through

• EXAMPLES: neck, groin, armpit

-Longitudinal Structure

-Horizontal Structure

-Tridimensional Structure

-from internal organs to peripheral limbs

-internal organs sit interior

-sinew and cutaneous sit exterior

-divergent channels and connecting channels link exterior to interior

-flowing circles of meridians (time tables)

-Lets Learn Some Splendid Holistic Stuff, U Kids Play The Guitar Later

-Lung, LI, Stomach, Spleen, Heart, SI, UI, Kidney, Pericardium, San Jiao (Triple warmer), GB, Liver

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General Meridian Laws

Zang Organs

Fu Organs

Zang organs

• channels flow on medial limbs
• Yin
• organs are solid, have static funtions (i.e. storage)
• PC, heart, lung, spleen, liver, kidney

Fu organs

• channels flow on lateral limbs
• Yang
• organs are hollow, active, and transport
• stomach, LI, UB, GB, San Jiao, SI
  

Organ above diaphragm, meridian runs on arm

Organ below diaphragm, meridian run on leg

• 3 hand Yins (Lu, PC and H) start in chest, along medial arm, end in hand
• 3 hand Yangs (LI, SJ, SI) start in hand, along along lateral arm, end on head
• 3 foot Yins (Sp, Liv, K) start on foot, along medial leg, end in chest
• 3 foot Yangs (St, GB, UB) start on face, along lateral leg, end in foot

**Head is Sea of Yang**

Order of Yang and Yin Channels

• Yang Ming, Shao Yang, Tai Yang

• Tai Yin, Jue Yin, Shao Yin

Extraordinary Meridians

How Many, Definitions, Functions, Names

• 8 all together
• Def: no distinct organs pertaining to each, no acupoints (expect Du and Ren), and no regular locations
• Functions: governent, storage of Qi, regulating/balance/coordination
• Chong (Sea of Blood), Ren, Du, Dai, Yin Wei, Yang Wei, Yin Qiao, Yang Qiao

Yin Qiao

Yang Qiao

Yin (medial)

Yang (lateral)

maintain balance btwn medial and lateral

1. Sea of Marrow- head
2. Sea of Qi- chest
3. Sea of Food and Fluid- stomach
4. Sea of Blood- lower abdomen

Biao Ben

Gen Jie

Ben - extremities - beginning of the channels

Biao - trunk

4 Gen- beginning (2 legs, 2 arms)

3 Jie- ending (head, chest, naval)

• "Qi Xue"- Qi Points
• Shen Qi- joints on meridians with abundant Qi
• points used for treatment
• are moveable
• has its own depth

• each point has its own meaning (usually from ancient people)
• named after geography, architecture, Myth, celestial body, anatomical structure/positioning, function/importance

Measurement of Acupoints

(Techniques)

1. Anatomical Landmark
2. Proportional Measurement
3. Finger Measurement
4. Folk Methods

• locates point according to anatomical landmark such as bone or muscle
• usually most accurate

• Assumes body distance in definite terms (cun)
• points located by distance

   

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• Using fingers to find propotioned distance btwn points
• One Fu- 3 cun

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• Qi of these meridians merge below the elbow and the knee joints
• points treat disease along meridian of affected organ
• distal points are stronger than localized points
• best if problem only pertains to one organs and its meridian

• Qi of ZangFu organs that merge on extremities
• moniter functions and status of organs
• specifically works for organ problems/disfunctions

Luo Connecting Points

How many, function, where

• treats both the interior and exterior organs that are affected by the problem
• 15 or 16 points
• branch from primary meridian on extremities

• 12 points
• Points very close to organs
• work very well for structural organ issues such as tumors, phlem, inflammation, discharge, etc.
• treat chronic conditions
• Qi response of Zang and Fu organs on back

• 12 points
• responding points to Fu/internal organs on front (very close relationship with corresponding organ)
• discomfort, discoloration, pain, etc. at point indicates dysfuncion with organ
• works for diagnosis and treatment of organs

• Used when there is problem with certian type of tissue, organ, substance, etc. (Zang, Fu, Qi, Blood, Bone, Sinew, Vessel, Marrow)
• Points focus on specific areas/tissue where problem exists.

• 8 points
• correspond to the extraordinary meridians- control and balance body
• Divided into pairs- always used together

1. Chong-Yin Wei
2. Dai-Yang Wei
3. Du-Yang Qiao
4. Ren-Yin Qiao

• discovered by Ma Dan Yang (monk)
• most commonly used in clinic
• 12 points responding to heaven stars

Focus on area of problem.

Example: Runny nose, use face point Li4

1. Head and Nape- Lu7
2. Abdomen- St36
3. Back- Ub40
4. Face- Li4
5. Chest- Pc6
6. Hypochondriac- Sj6

• 10 points
• Rediscovered in New England TCM school
• skylight of our body
• points around neck that control relevent meridian problems
• all Yang, no Yin (Yin stop at chest)
• 6 Yang channels, 1 Du, 1 Ren, other 2 not on neck (not commonly used)

• Treat mental disease
• "drive ghosts out"
• 13 areas where ghosts hide
• ghosts are mostly Yin so hide in Yin areas

• where meridians cross, inter-junctions of channels
• more than 101 cross points on body's surface
• used to treat diseases that associate with more than one channel
• VERY STRONG points (ex. Sp6- 3 meridian cross point, can cause miscarriage)