The meridians

According to traditional Chinese medicine, the meridians (Jing) are part of the complex network through which energy (Qi) flows in the human body. The meridians and their power points are the basis of acupuncture healing techniques. They can be used directly to influence the balance and flow of vital human energies. There are twelve regular meridians, and eight extraordinary meridians. The twelve standard meridians, also called Principal Meridians, are divided into Yin and Yang groups. The Yin meridians of the arm are Lung, Heart, and Pericardium. The Yang meridians of the arm are Large Intestine, Small Intestine, and Triple Warmer. The Yin Meridians of the leg are Spleen, Kidney, and Liver. The Yang meridians of the leg are Stomach, Bladder, and Gall Bladder. The eight extra meridians are different to the standard twelve organ meridians in that they are considered to be storage vessels or reservoirs of energy and are not associated directly with the Zang Fu or internal organs.

Along the meridians, there exist acupuncture points. In Chinese literature there are descriptions of about a thousand acupuncture points, though there may well be even more than this. Acupuncture works by stimulation of these points, which has an effect on the flow of Qi along the meridians, thus achieving the desired effect in relation to healing the body of the ailment(s) it may be experiencing. In TCM theory, such ailments may occur when the flow of Qi along the meridians becomes stagnant; stimulation of acupuncture points works by resolving the stagnant flow of Qi, and thus healing the body of its disorder. In essence, the acupuncture points are connected by the paths of energy, the meridians.

Principles of Acupuncture

Acupuncture is an element that is practised within the Traditional Chinese Medicine health system. It can be used to treat illnesses ranging from drug addiction to asthma and hay fever. It uses the insertion of very fine needles to either help stimulate or regulate the flow of qi in the body’s system. Qi is an invisible “life energy” that flows through the meridians around the body. It is affected by the interaction of yin (which signifies coldness, damp, darkness, and contraction) and yang (which signifies heat, dryness, light and expansion).

There are twelve regular meridians in which the qi flows through. They run down the body with six located on the right and six located on the left. Also, six of them are yin channels and six of them are yang channels which creates a harmonious balance. Most of these meridians are named after the main internal organs through which they link. Two further meridians known as the Conception and the Governing vessels provide control of the 12 regular meridians.

Acupuncture needles are used to either regulate or stimulate the flow of qi to help adjust the flow of qi that reaches the different meridians. The disorder of any meridian can create illness at any point. For example, a disorder in the stomach meridian (which passes through the upper gums) could result in a toothache. Acupuncture has been proven very effective and is now one of the most well-known natural therapies. Acupuncture is also become increasingly practised in a simplified form by Western doctors.