11/3/2019 Meridians in Traditional Chinese Medicine?

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Meridians in Traditional Chinese

Medicine? | AMC-Miami, Florida
Posted September 19, 2017 by Acupuncture & Massage College

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Over the past several weeks, we have been discussing the TCM view of the human body,
which is the model taught At the core of this model is the notion that a set of three
entities, call the functional entities, are responsible for producing and maintaining health.
The three functional entities are:

1. The Five Fundamental Substances: The substances that give rise to and maintain
life. They are: Qi (vital life energy), Xue (Blood), Jinye (Body Fluids), Jing (Essence),
and Shen (Spirit).
2. Zang-fu: A set of 5 pairs of yin-yang organs that produce the Five Fundamental
Substances.
3. Jing-luo (meridians): The channels that connect the Zang-fu organs and regulate
the ow of the fundamental substances throughout the body.

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Understanding yin-yang theory is crucial to understanding TCM

So far, we have explained the fundamental substances and Zang-fu organs in great
detail, but we have yet to discuss the importance of the Jing-luo. The Jing-luo or
meridian points are of extreme importance in Traditional Chinese Medicine and serve as
the cornerstone for understanding how the healing modalities in Oriental Medicine
operate, such as acupuncture and tui-na massage.

In this article, we will discuss the Jing-luo and their importance in TCM.

What are Meridians in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)? |

AMC Acupuncture School | Miami, Florida

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, a meridian or Jing lou is a channel through which qi and
the other fundamental substances ow. They are known by many di erent names, such
as acupuncture meridians, acupoints, and energy vessels.

The meridians function as a network, much like a highway system, that can be mapped
out throughout the entire body. They are similar to the circulatory system in western
medicine, but it needs to be emphasized that meridians are non-physical.

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If you have ever seen an acupuncture model and have wondered what the several points
or dots on the body are, they are the location points for speci c meridians.

Fully understanding the vast system of meridian networks and their functions, is a
complicated subject that takes years of study at an acupuncture program and is beyond
the scope of this blog.

For the sake of simplicity, we will divide the Jing Luo network into two major categories:
the jingmai or main meridian channels and the luomai or collateral vessels.

What are the Jingmai in Acupuncture and Oriental

Medicine (AOM)?
The jingmai refers to the collective system of the main meridian channels. Their primary
purpose is to regulate the ow of qi throughout the body. Generally speaking, there are
seventy-two major jingmai. Of the seventy-two, twenty are considered to be the most
important in acupuncture and will the main focus of this blog. The main meridian
categories are:

1. Twelve Major or Primary Meridians- These are the most important meridians of the
body. They connect to the Zang-fu organs and are the main pathways that
transport qi and xue (blood) throughout the body.

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2. Eight Extraordinary Vessels-Their primary function is to connect the twelve

primary meridians.
3. Twelve Divergent or Distinct Meridians-These meridians are responsible for
connecting the wei (defensive) and yuan (parental) qi.

Acupuncture Print circa 100 BC. This shows the di erent Jingmai points.

What are the luomai? | Meridian Networks in TCM | AMC

Miami, FL
The luomai or collaterals vessels are the branches of the Jingmai. There are three major
categories are:

1. Fifteen Connecting Collaterals-Connect the interior and exterior meridians

together.
2. Muscular Collaterals-Distribute the qi of the twelve major meridians to the tendons,
muscles, and joints.

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3. Super cial Collaterals-The collaterals on the super cial areas of the body, where
functions of the major meridians manifest themselves.

This chart demonstrates the complexity of labeling and understanding the di erent meridian points. 

In total, there are over 400 jingmai, the majority of which run along the Twelve Primary
Meridians. Because the Twelve Major Meridians are of great importance, it is important to
discuss them in greater detail.

The Twelve Major Meridians

The Twelve Major Meridians are the primary meridians through which qi ows. They are
located in each arm and leg, have yin-yang properties, and are connected to a speci c
Zang-fu organ.

There are six yin meridians that are located in the inner region of the arms, legs, chest,
and torso. The six yang meridians are located on the outer region of the arms, legs, head,
and torso.

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A chart of the tweleve major meridians

In total, there are three yin meridians (heart, lung, and pericardium) and three yang
meridians (small intestine, large intestine, and sanjiao) of the arm, as well as three yin
meridians (liver, kidney, spleen) and three yang meridians (urinary bladder, gall bladder,
and stomach) of the leg.

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Yin and yang meridians.

This collection of three yin and three yang patterns is referred to as Six Meridian Theory.
The theory describes the type of yin-yang qi and degree to which sunlight is received,
which is based on its position on the body, from most external to most internal.

1. Tai Yang- Greater yang. Most external. Posterior position.

2. Yang Ming-Brightness yang. Anterior position.
3. Shao Yang-Lesser yang. Posterior position.
4. Tai Yin-Greater yin. Anterior position. Where lung and spleen qi interact.
5. Shao Yin-Lesser yin. Posterior position. Where heart and kidney qi interact.
6. Jue Yin-Absolute yin. Most internal. Lateral or middle position. Where liver and
pericardium qi interact.

Meridian Time Flow: This special arrangement of the Twelve Major Meridians allows for
the body to function in a clock-like manner. The qi in the meridians ow according to a

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kind of circadian cycle, based on the time of day. Because of the connection between the
meridian and the Zang-fu, this cycle can be used to pinpoint and treat illnesses.

Like with all yin-yang pairs, each of the Twelve Main Meridians exists as a connecting pair
that establishes an internal-external relationship with the Zang and fu organs. Each arm
meridian has a leg meridian counterpart. These meridians also a ect each other’s Zang-
fu pairing. For example, illness of the heart or its meridian is treated through healing via
the meridian points of the kidney.

The Twelve Major Meridians exists as a yin-yang pair.

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Meridians and Acupuncture: The knowledge of the relationship between the meridians
and Zang-fu sets the basis for understanding how the di erent healing modalities in
Traditional Chinese Medicine function. This is especially true of acupuncture, which
focuses on restoring the proper ow of qi in the meridians using needles. In the next
article, we will discuss in greater detail how acupuncture functions.

Acupuncture of the Arm

If you are enjoying this blog series on the philosophy of Traditional Chinese Medicine,
then you should consider a career in acupuncture, which was recently approved by the
American College of Physicians.

To learn more, download our career guide below. Acupuncture and Massage College is
located in the Kendall-area of Miami-Dade County in Florida. For more information, write
to our admissions director at admissions@amcollege.edu. Visit us near the Kendall Mall
at 10506 N Kendall Dr, Miami, FL 33176 or give us a call at (305) 595-9500. 

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