The meridians of Chinese medicine and their multiple levels.

The meridians of Chinese medicine and their multiple levels.

A journey between science and tradition in a system

“multilayer”, beyond the main meridians.

by: Francesca Cassini

Chinese feminine medicine

www.benesseredonne.it

www.facebook.com/Tuinaperilbenessere

www.instagram.com/francescacassinimedicinacinese

Professional member of OTTO https://www.ottoitalia.org/scuole-riconosciute/

What are meridians?

• Nature and functions in Chinese medicine • Scientific research

The system of meridians and collaterals:

• Major

• Skin regions

• Tendon-muscular

• Divergent

• Extraordinary

• Collaterals

What are meridians?

Preferential flow paths of Qi (“energy”) and Blood.

– A network of pathways that extends throughout the body (surface and depth);

– A system invisible to the eyes and to “classical” exams;

– A Qi and Blood distribution system;

– A communication interface between organs/viscera and connected areas;

– A network that unites the internal (Zangfu) and the external (body structures);

– A defensive shield against the penetration of pathogenic factors; – A communication system between the microcosm and the macrocosm;

– an interface between operator/operator and recipient;

– An energetic/functional network, intertwined with the physical/material.

What are meridians?

So they “really” don’t exist?

Many studies have been devoted to this topic, most of which have led to the conclusion that points and meridians are structurally and functionally slightly different from the rest of neighboring tissues.

(-Giovanardi et al., 1999)

Injection of a radioactive tracer (technetium) at an acupuncture point and at a point where no meridian passes:

– in the first case, the tracer propagated linearly along the channel;

– in the second case, it stagnated locally without taking any direction.

[previous studies of the same type: Darras et al., 1992; Tiberiu et al., 1981

New study: Li et al., Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, vol. 2021]

-Journal of Electron Spectroscopy and Related Phenomena,2013:

Contrast imaging technique on both ST36 and ST37 and other parts of the body: a clear distinction was detected between the common points and the anatomical structures formed by the acupuncture points.

The latter have a higher density of “microvessels and contain a large number of involuted microvascular structures.”

-Langevin, H.M., Churchill, D.L., Wu, J., et al., Evidence of connective tissue involvement in acupuncture, FASEB Journal 16 (8) (April 2002), p. 872-874 :

The most common acupuncture points are found within high concentrations of connective tissue, where the different planes of this tissue meet and intersect.

According to recent studies, connective tissue is capable of transmitting electrical, mechanical and chemical signals throughout the body, from which constitutes the support structure. -Hong et al., Heterogeneity of Skin Surface Oxygen Level of Wrist in Relation to Acupuncture Point,” Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, vol. 2012 :

Use an amperometric microoxygen sensor to detect changes in oxygen pressure.

The partial pressure of oxygen is significantly higher at acupuncture points.

…but back to Chinese medicine!

The meridians are a SYSTEM divided into several levels.

The best known are the so-called main meridians, those that have their own points, which we usually refer to when we talk about meridians.

The meridian system

Main meridians (Jingmai – 12):

– high-low path;

– connected to organs and viscera;

– have their own points.

Skin regions (Pibu – 6):

– surface areas related to energy levels.

Tendon-muscular meridians (Jingjin – 12):

– not lines, but stripes;

– they do not have their own points;

– support function.

Divergent meridians (Jingbie – 12):

– They diverge towards distant areas.

Extraordinary meridians (Qijing Bamai – 8):

– special functions;

– they do not have their own points (except Renmai and Dumai)

Collateral meridians (Luomai – 12 + 15 + innumerable): – connect the main ones horizontally;

EITHER

– reach other areas starting with the main ones;

EITHER

– They branch into smaller and smaller sizes.

The main meridians (Jingmai):

The channel through which the energy (Qi) of the organ or intestine is mainly manifested.

– directly connected to organs/viscera;

– they carry Qi to different areas of the body;

– they are longitudinal (jing = meridian also in the geographical sense);

– have your own points;

– work on the connected organ/viscera;

– they act on Qi and other precious substances, on Yin and Yang;

– work in the crossed areas;

– work on specific target areas.

The main meridians:

ORGANS (yin) VISCERAS (yang):

Heart (top) Small intestine (top)

Spleen (bottom) Stomach (bottom)

Lung (top) Large intestine (top)

Kidney (bottom) Bladder (bottom)

Liver (bottom) Gallbladder (bottom)

Pericardium (top) Triple heater (top).

The skin regions (Pibu):

The manifestation of Qi of organs and viscera on the surface.

– areas of skin that widely cover the path of the main meridians;

– They are divided according to the six energy levels formed by the main ones;

– Disharmonies of organs and viscera can manifest on the surface.

The tendon-muscular meridians (Jingjin):

Jingjin = “tendons/muscles of the meridians”.

– structures of muscles, ligaments and tendons that cover and follow the main ones;

– how the main meridians distribute Qi and Blood to allow muscle movements;

– more external and reactive than the main ones;

– not directly connected with organs and viscera;

– everyone starts from the tips of the fingers;

– they branch towards the anterior/posterior face of the trunk or skull;

– they do not have their own points: their points are the painful points;

– are gathered in groups of three: 3 yang from above, 3 yin from above, 3 yang from below, 3 yin from below.

Divergent or different meridians (Jingbie):

They carry the Qi of organs and viscera to distant areas.

– have courses passing over the surface at depth, they submerge

for long stretches;

– the divergent organs and viscera coupled according to the five elements (for example, Lung and Large Intestine) have part of the journey in common;

– make contact with areas of the body not reached by the client;

– they all reach the head (Window of Heaven points).

The extraordinary meridians (Qijing Bamai):

The relationship with our origin.

– those of the first generation (4) originate at the time of embryo formation, the others (4) after birth;

– regulate the energetic structuring of the embryo and fetus;

– they are bearers of our “original project”;

– are connected with Jing (“essence”) and Yuanqi (original Qi);

– perform regulation, coordination, integration and harmonization functions;

– only Renmai (Concepción Vessel) and Dumai (Governor Vessel) have their own points, the others cross the course and points of the main meridians;

– Renmai, Dumai, Daimai (the only transverse meridian) have a only central canal, the others are bilateral like the main ones.

The collateral meridians (Luomai):

Connection, relationship, diffusion (luo 络“small network”).

They are divided into three different types:

– Longitudinal Luo: they start from the luo point of the meridian and go to the chest/head (except Lung and Gallbladder). There are 3 (+1) extra. They are related to the psychological/mental/emotional aspects (Shen), because they are particularly linked to the Blood.

– Transverse Luo: joins the meridian to the paired one according to the five elements (e.g. Lung and Large Intestine).

Lesser Luo: tiny “energy capillaries” that branch to bring Qi and Blood to the skin, muscles and intermediate layers.

Useful resources:

• Meridians in general, with links to scientific articles:

https://www.benesseredonne.it/2017/06/18/i-meridiani-rete-dicomunicazione-nutrimento-e-protezione/

• Acupuncture points:

https://www.benesseredonne.it/2018/02/28/cosa-sono-punti-diagopuntura/

• Video with the route of the 12 main meridians (contains an error, the last point of the large intestine canal is located on the opposite side of the nose compared to the initial side of the meridian):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sH5WiNzmwBA

• Qi flow in the meridians in 24 hours and relationship with the organs:

https://www.benesseredonne.it/2018/07/24/momento-giustoper-mangiare-medicina-cinese/

• Giulia Boschi summary diagram:

https://www.giuliaboschi.com/materiali/la-radice-e-i-fiori/cronobiologia/

• Luo meridians and emotions /1:

https://www.benesseredonne.it/2018/05/08/equilibrare-leemozioni-luo-tuina/

• Luo meridians and emotions /2:

https://www.benesseredonne.it/2018/09/11/associazione-emotivameridiani-luo/

• Tendon-muscular meridians:

https://www.medicinacinesenews.it/meridiani-tendino-muscolarimovimento/

• Self-treatment of pain (tendon-muscle and more):