Traveling the Energetic Highway: What Are Meridians?
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is a system
that seems quite foreign to many in the Western world. However, this medical
system has been around for over 3,500 years, in comparison to the Western
medical system, which has been around since the 19th century. One of
the concepts of TCM is that of the meridian or energetic pathways. This article
will explore this concept a little more deeply.
What is a meridian? This is something that
every acupuncture student asks when they begin their training. The simplest
definition is that a meridian is an energetic highway in the human body.
Meridians allow for the flow of energy, known as Qi (pronounced “chee”), to
circulate throughout the body. Meridians exist in corresponding pairs and each
meridian has multiple acupuncture points along the pathway. While it is
tempting to think of meridians in the body the same way we think of the
circulatory system, this would be incorrect. According to TCM, the meridian
pathways are responsible for the “distribution” of the substances throughout
the body, but physically, meridians have yet to be identified. Therefore, it is
more logical to view the meridian system as an energetic distribution network.
All together there are fourteen main meridians
throughout the body. One that runs up the center of the body on the front,
another that runs along the spine and the other 12 run from head to toe along
the rest of the body. Each limb is traversed by six channels, three that are
considered yin in nature and three that are considered yang in nature. Yin channels are located on the inside
surfaces and the yang channels are located on the outside surfaces. Each
meridian is a yin yang pair, meaning that each yin organ (lung, heart, kidney,
liver, spleen) is paired with its corresponding yang organ (large intestine,
stomach, small intestine, bladder, gallbladder). In every living thing, there
is yin and yang. Yin corresponds to water, darkness and cold, while yang
corresponds to fire, daylight and heat. For the body to function properly,
there must be balance between the yin and yang.
In addition to the main meridians, there are
other meridians called “Extraordinary” meridians that are not associated with
the major organ systems. These meridians have very specific functions. They act as reservoirs for Qi and blood. They
circulate “substances” around the body, as they have a strong connection to the
kidneys. They help circulate Wei Qi, which acts as the immune system. And they
provide connections between the 12 regular channels.
When the Qi flows freely, the body remains
healthy. However, due to outside causes like stress, the body’s meridians can
become clogged or stagnant. When a blockage occurs along the meridians, illness
can take hold.
Acupuncture is a wonderful way to unclog the meridians. Acupuncture points, herbal formulas, exercise and proper dietary habits all work in conjunction to keep the body aligned and functioning properly. To learn more, give us a call, we’d love to help!
New York Sports Acupuncture
Dr. Bishara Wilson, DACM, L.Ac.
888.375.5444
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