Meridian Theory: Lecture By: M.K. Sastry

MERIDIAN THEORY
Lecture by: M.K. Sastry

TCM notion of Meridian
 A meridian is an ‘energy highway’ in the human body.

 Qi (energy) flows through this meridian or energy
highway, accessing all party of the body.
 Meridians can be mapped throughout the body;
 They flow within the body and not on the surface;
 Meridians exist in corresponding pairs and each
meridian has many acupuncture points along its path.
 The term ‘meridian’ describes the overall

energy distribution system of Chinese Medicine
and
 Helps us to understand how basic substances of
the body (Qi, blood and body fluids) permeate
the whole body.
 The individual meridians themselves are often
described as ‘channels’ or even ‘vessels’ which
reflects the notion of carrying, holding, or
transporting qi, blood and body fluids around
the body.
 It is tempting to think of the meridians of the
human body the same way as we think of the
circulatory system, but here is where the
similarities end.
 Conventional anatomy and physiology would
not be able to identify these pathways in a
physical sense in the way that blood vessels can
be identified.
 It is more useful to consider the meridian
system as an energetic distribution network
that in itself tends towards energetic
manifestation.
 Meridians can be best understood as a process
rather than a structure.
 There are twelve main meridians, or invisible
channels, throughout the body with Qi or
energy flows.
 Each limb is traversed by six channels, three Yin
channels on the inside, and three Yang
channels on the outside.
 Each of the twelve regular channels
corresponds to the five Yin organs, the six Yang
organs as well as the Pericardium and San Jiao
or Triple Warmer.
Composition of the Meridian System
 Include 3 large groups of regular meridians, extra
meridians and meridian divergences .
 There are twelve regular meridians, including three yin
meridians of hand, three yang meridians of hand, three yin
meridians of foot and three yang meridians of foot, which
are collectively called “twelve meridians” or “twelve
regular meridians”, and the major tracks for qi-blood
circulation.
 The twelve meridians have direct relationships of
connection and affiliation with viscera within the body,
and external-internal relationships among themselves.
 The twelve meridians are the necessary passages for qi-
blood circulation.
 There are 8 extra meridians, namely Ren, Du, Chong, Dai,
Yinwei, Yangwei, Yingqiao and Yangqiao meridians, collectively
called eight extra meridians.
 They govern, communicate and regulate qi-blood within the
twelve meridians, but they have no direct relationships with
viscera, no external-internal relationships among themselves.
 The twelve divergences are the meridians branching out from
the twelve meridians.
 They originate respectively from the four limbs and run through
the deeper parts of the body cavity and reach up the superficial
parts of the neck.
 The meridian divergences of yang meridians branch out from
their meridians and run through the body, still return to
their original meridians; while the meridian divergences of
yin meridians branch out from their meridians, after running
through the body, they join their pairing yang meridians.
 The functions of the twelve meridian divergences are mainly
to strengthen the communication between the two
externally-internally related meridians in the twelve
meridians, they can also serve as the supplement for regular
meridians by reaching some organs and components where
the regular meridians do not reach.
Functions of the meridians
 The meridians and collaterals are the major body of
the meridian system, undertaking the role to circulate
qi-blood and communicate so as to connect all the
viscera, organs, orifices , skin, muscles tendons,
bones, etc to form an integral organic whole.
Physiological Functions of the Meridian System
1. Communicate and connect all the parts of the body:
• the human body’s organic coordination and mutual
relationship is accomplished through communication
and connection by the meridian system；
• the twelve meridians and their branches run criss-
crossly, coming and going out, ascending and
descending, mutual affiliation to and connection with a
pair of viscera;
• the eight extra meridians connect and communicate
with the twelve regular meridians;
• the twelve meridian musculatures and the twelve skin
areas connect and communicate with the skin, muscles,
• the twelve meridians link the peripheral tissues of
tendons, muscles, skin, limbs and joins with the internal
organs.
 For example, the hand Yangming meridians “runs by the

mouth”, the foot Yangming meridians”runs by the mouth,
and curves around the lips”, the hand Yangming meridian
“crosses the philtrum to the site beside the opposite wing
of the nose”.
 In this way, it makes the interior viscera communicate with
the sense organs and orifices so as to form a whole.
 Each of the twelve meridians affiliates to and connects
with a Zang viscus and a Fu-viscus,.
 For example, the lung meridian of hand Taiyin affiliates to

the lung and connects with the large intestine; and the
large intestine meridian of hand Yangming affiliates to the
large intestine.
 Some of the meridians, besides affiliate to and connect

with special viscera, again communicate with several other
viscera.
 For example, the kidney meridian of foot Shaoyin not only
affiliates to the kidney and connects with the bladder, but
also passes through the liver, enters the lung, connects
with the heart, and runs into the chest to join the
pericardium.
 In addition, there are also the meridian divergences that
supplement the shortcomings of the regular meridians.
 For example, the divergences of the foot Yangming, foot

Shaoying and foot Taiyang all pass by the heart.
 Thus forms multiple communications among the viscera.
2. Conveying Qi-Blood to Nourish the Whole body:

• Every viscus and tissue of the human body needs
warming, nourishing and moistening by qi-blood so as
to play their normal function.
• Qi-blood are the material basis for life activity of the
body and they must depend upon the transportation
and importation by the meridian so as to distribute
over the whole body for warming, nourishing and
moistening all the viscera and tissues, maintaining the
normal functions of the body.
3. Reaction and Conduction
• The body depends upon the meridian system to
perform transmission of life information and
communicate among every part.
• When a part of the human body is stimulated, through
the meridian system this stimulation will import into
the relative viscera within the body so as to make them
produce the relative changes physiologically or
pathologically.
4. Regulating Functional Balance for the Body

• Where there is disharmony of qi-blood and superiority
or inferiority of yin or yang in the body, the
acupuncture and moxibustion therapies can be used to
trigger the regulatory action of the meridian by
reducing what is excessive, or reinforcing what is
deficient to regulate the body and maintain the
equilibrium.
 For example, when the stomach is in hypofunction, a mild

stimulation given may strengthen the gastric contraction
and increase the concentration of the gastric juice.
 As the stomach is in a hyperactive state, a strong
stimulation given will cause inhibitory effect.
 Puncturing Zusanli (ST 36) point of the stomach meridian
of foot Yangming can regulate the peristalic and secreting
functions of the stomach.
 The twelve meridians have lateral and symmetrical
distribution on the head, face, trunk and limbs.
 The six yin Meridians are distributed on the inner side of
the limbs and on the inner side of the chest and abdomen.
 The six yang Meridians are distributed on the outer side of
the limbs and on the head, face and trunk.
 The order and arrangement of the three yang meridians
for both arms and legs are as follows;
• Yang Ming (meaning bright yang or sunlight yang) has an
anterior position;
• Shao Yang (meaning middle yang) has a middle position;
• Tai Yang (meaning greater yang) has an posterior position,
 The three names have described the variations of yang qi
or yang energy.
 They can also be interpreted as the variations of the
sunlight received.
 The order and arrangement of the three yin meridians are
as follows:
• Tai Yin (meaning greater yin) has an anterior position;
• Shao Yin (meaning lesser yin) has an posterior position;
• Jue Yin (meaning absolute yin or terminal yin ) has a middle
position
• The three names have described the variations of yin qi and
the degree of darkness of that position.
 Each meridian is a Yin Yang pair, meaning each Yin organ is
paired with its corresponding Yang Organ;
 The Yin Lung organ, for example, corresponds with the
Yang large intestine.
 Yang  Yin
• Lung • Large Intestine
• Stomach • Spleen
• Heart • Small Intestine
• Bladder • Kidneys
• Liver • Gall Bladder
• Pericardium • San Jiao
The Lung Meridian of Hand Taiyin
 Toward the thumb from the inside edge of the front
of the shoulder.
 Runs from a point on the breast just above clavicle,
along the inside of the arm to the thumb.
 Respiratory diseases, sore throat, cough, common
cold, pain in the shoulder and along the meridian
The Large Intestine Meridian
The Large Intestine Meridian of Hand Yangming
 Runs from the tip of the index finger along the outer
part of the arm, then along the shoulder to the
throat, neck, and outside of the mouth, and then to
the crease at the nostril.
 Abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, sore throat,
toothache in the lower gum, nasal discharge and
bleeding, pain along the course of the meridian
The Stomach Meridian
THE STOMACH MERIDIAN
 The outer channel of the U runs from the scalp
down along the ear and face (where men wear
sideburns) to the chin, where it joins the other
channel.
 From here, the meridian runs along the neck to
the clavicle and down directly across the nipple to
the abdomen, across the groin, down along the
thigh and calf, and on to the second toe.
The Stomach Meridian of Foot Yangming
 Stomach problems, abdominal pain, distension,

edema, vomiting, sore throat, facial paralysis, upper
gum toothache, nose bleeding, pain along the
meridian
 Forms a large U shape on each side of the face before
it runs downward along the chest, thigh, and calf to a
point at the top of the second toe.
 The inner channel of the U runs just below the eye to
the tip of the outer corner of the mouth, and then to
the chinbone.
The Spleen Meridian
The Spleen Meridian of Foot Taiyin
 Runs from the outside of the big toe, up the inside of the foot,
along the shinbone to the knee, up the inside of the thigh to
the stomach area, and then runs on an angle to the outside of
the armpit.
 Here it loops under the arm and runs down along the outside
of the back.
 Problems of the spleen and pancreas, abdominal distension,
jaundice, general weakness and sluggishness, tongue problems,
vomiting, pain and swellings along the course of the meridian
The Heart Meridian
The Heart Meridian of Hand Shaoyin
 Runs from the armpit, along the inside of the arm,

to the inside of the wrist, to a point on the inside of
the little finger just above the nail.
 Heart problems, dryness of the throat, jaundice,
pain along the course of the meridian.
The Small Intestine Meridian
The Small Intestine Meridian of Hand Taiyang
 Runs from the upper part of the little finger, just

above the nail, up the outside of the arm, along the
triceps, to a point in the center of the shoulder blade
on the back, up the neck, to a point directly in front
of the ear hole.
 Pain in the lower abdomen, sore throat, swelling or
paralysis of face, deafness, pain along the meridian
The Bladder Meridian
The Bladder Meridian of Foot Taiyang
 Runs from the inside corner of the eye, up the forehead,
over the top of the head and down the centre of the
back.
 Here it divides to form two parallel lines on the right
side of the back and two more on the left side, so that,
in all, it comprises four meridian lines.
 Runs from the inside corner of the eye, up the forehead,
over the top of the head and down the centre of the
back.
 Here it divides to form two parallel lines on the right
side of the back and two more on the left side, so that,
in all, it comprises four meridian lines.
THE BLADDER MERIDIAN
 Each set of two runs along the back, down the
buttocks, and down the back of each leg.
 Each set of two meridian lines joins at the back of the
knee, becoming one meridian line on each leg.
 From the knee the bladder meridian runs along the
calf, to the back of the ankle, along the outside of the
foot, to the little toe.
 Bladder problems, headache, eye diseases, neck and
back problems, pain along the back of the leg
The Kidney Meridian
The Kidney Meridian of Foot Shaoyin
 Runs from a point at the bottom of the foot, along the

arch, to the heel, up the inside of the leg, to the sex
organs, along the centre of the stomach, to a point just
below where the clavicle joins the sternum.
 Passing through the vertebral column, it enters the
kidney and connects with the bladder.
 The straight portion: Starting from the kidney, it ascends
and passes through the liver and diaphragm;
 Then it enters the lung, and runs along the throat up to
the tongue, ending on the two sides of it.
The Kidney Meridian of Foot Shaoyin
 The branch: Arising from the lung, it connects with the

heart and enters the chest to link the pericardium
meridian of hand Jueyin.
 Kidney problems, lung problems, dry tongue, lumbago,
edema, constipation, diarrhea, pain and weakness along
the course of the meridian
The Pericardium Meridian
The Pericardium Meridian of Hand Jueyin
 Runs from the armpit, down the middle of the inside

of the arm, across the middle of the palm, to the tip of
the middle finger.
 This meridian assists the heartbeat, circulation, and
assimilation of nutrition.
 It also provides qi, assists in blood flow to the
pericardium, and helps the heart function.
 Poor circulation, angina, palpitation, diseases of the
sexual glands and organs, irritability, pain along the
course of the meridian
The San Jiao Meridian
The Tri-Jiao Meridian of Hand Shaoyang
 Runs from the top of the fourth finger up the arm to the
shoulder, up the neck, and around the top of the ear to
the temple.
 This meridian provides qi to the small-intestine meridian
and the lymphatic system, and assists circulation to the
extremities. Runs from the top of the fourth finger up the
arm to the shoulder, up the neck, and around the top of
the ear to the temple.
 This meridian provides qi to the small-intestine meridian
and the lymphatic system, and assists circulation to the
extremities.
The Tri-Jiao Meridian of Hand Shaoyang
 The Tri-Jiao meridian also coordinates the three heating
systems, which maintain the body temperature.
 One is above the solar plexus, the second is in between
the solar plexus and the navel, and the third is below the
navel.
The Gall Bladder Meridian
The Gallbladder Meridian
 Runs from the temple around the outside of the ear, down
the back of the head, then back up the side of the head,
stopping just above the temple and then running back
down to the neck.
 This up-and-down motion along the side of the head
creates a thin crescent-moon shape.
 From here, the meridian runs over the front of the
shoulder, down the side of the abdomen in a zigzag
motion, to the hip, and then down the outside of the leg,
to the fourth toe.
 This meridian is concerned with the distribution of energy.
The Gallbladder Meridian
down to the neck.
The Gallbladder Meridian of Foot Shaoyang
 Coming out superficially at the anterior aspect of the

external malleolus, finally it runs along the dorsum of the
foot to the lateral aspect of the tip of the 4th toe(Foot
Qiaoyin).
 Branch 3: Branching out at the dorsum of the foot (Foot-
Linqi, GB 41), it runs forward to the lateral aspect of the
tip of the big toe.
 Returning, it passes through the nail and arrives at the
hairy region of the big toe (Dadun, LV 1), where it links
the liver meridian of foot Jueyin.
THE GALLBLADDER MERIDIAN
down to the neck.
to the fourth toe.
 Pain in shoulder, hand- and finger-joints, eye problems,
illnesses of the hip joints, diseases of the external genital
organs of men, knee and ankle problems and etc.
to the fourth toe.
 This meridian is concerned with the distribution of energy.
 Gall bladder problems, ear diseases, migraine, hip
problems, dizziness, pain along the meridian
 Gall bladder problems, ear diseases, migraine, hip
problems, dizziness, pain along the meridian
The Liver Meridian
THE LIVER MERIDIAN
 Runs from the upper part of the big toe, up along the top
of the foot, along the inner parts of the calf, thigh, and
groin, to the outer part of the abdomen, to a point at the
bottom of the ribcage, to a point between the sixth and
seventh ribs, directly under the nipple.
 The liver meridian relates to the storage of nutrients and
energy.
 Liver problems, lumbago, vomiting, hernia, urination
problems, pain in the lower abdomen, diseases of
gallbladder and bile ducts, illnesses of the breasts and
illnesses the external genital organ of men and women
and any diseases along the course of the meridian.
Lung Meridian Disharmonies
 Fever & chills w/chills predominating;

 Body ache, stuffy nose w/clear runny mucus;
 Sneezing, scratchy throat, lack of sweat.
Chize (LU 5) Lieque (LU 7) Yuji(LU 10)
Large Intestine Meridian
 The large intestine meridian is a yang meridian and is
paired with the lung yin meridian.
 Process waste and pass it through the body.
 When there are blockages in the large intestine
meridian, they often manifest as digestion and
abdominal trouble.
Hegu (LI4) Yingxiang (LI20) Quchi(LI11)
Stomach Meridian Disharmonies
 Constant hunger, painful, swollen a/or bleeding
gums, regurgitation a/or vomiting likely after
eating, burning sensation in the epigastrium (upper
stomach), nausea, constipation .
Tianshu (ST 25) Zusanli(ST 36) Neiting(ST 44)
Spleen Meridian Disharmonies
 Poor appetite；
 Distention after eating;
 Weakness of the four limbs;
 Fatigue;
 Loose stools
Yinlingquan (SP9) Sanyinjiao (SP 6) Xuehai (SP 10)
Hand Shao Yin Heart Meridian
 Palpitations, thirst, tongue/mouth ulcers, restlessness,
red complexion, bitter taste in the mouth other heat
signs
 Disharmony of the Heart Meridian leads to pain at the
heart position
 Pain in the inner side of the forearm and heat in the
palm may also indicate problems in this meridian.
Shenmen (HT 7) Jiquan (HT 1)
Hand Tai Yang Small Intestine Meridian
 Swollen chin, stiff neck, sore throat, hearing

problems, yellow eyes, and pain along the
shoulder, upper arm, elbow and forearm.
- Pain in the inferior abdomen, reduce auditory
acuity, stiffness of the back or the neck, pain or
stiffness in the shoulders.
Houxi (SI 3) Yanglao (SI 6) Tinggong (SI 19)
Disharmony of the Bladder Meridian
 It is the first meridian to be invaded if there is
any external attack.
 Painful eyes, runny nose, nose bleeding and
nasal congestion.
 Pain in the head, neck, back, groin and buttock
areas
 Urinary retention； enuresis； pain along the
pathway of the meridian
Weizhong Chengshan Kunlun
(BL 40) (BL 57) (BL 60)
Leg Shao Yin Kidney Meridian
 Lumbar back pain and at the base of the back, cold
feet, haemoptysis, dyspnoea, dry tongue, sore throat,
lumbago, oedema, constipation, diarrhoea, motor
paralysis and msucle atrophy of the lower limbs, hot
plantar side of the foot and pain along the pathway of
the meridian
Yongquan
(KI 1)
Hand Jueyin Pericardium Meridian
 Chest fullness, palpitation, irritability and agitation,
spasm and contracture of the elbow and arm, hot
palm and pain along the pathway of the meridian, stiff
head and neck
Laogong (PC 8) Neiguan (PC 6)
Disharmony of the Triple Heater Meridian
 Abdominal distention, swelling， urinary
incontinence, difficulty urinating, loss of hearing, and
ringing in the ears (tinnitus).
 Pain in the pharynx (throat), eyes, cheek, back of the
ear, shoulder and the upper arm can occur as these
structures are located along this meridian's pathway.
Hand Shao Yang Triple Heater Meridian
Zhigou (SJ 6)
Yifeng (SJ 17)

Jianjing
(GB 21)
Fengchi Yanglingquan Jianjing

(GB 20) (GB 34) (GB 21)
Disharmony of the Liver Meridian
 Disharmony of the Liver Meridian leads to groin pain,
chest fullness, urinary incontinence, difficulty
urinating, swelling of the lower abdomen and hernias.
- Pulsatile headache, sneezing, blurred vision, tinnitus,
lumbar back pain, vomiting, enuresis, urinary
retention, hernia, pain in the lower abdomen
Taichong (LR 3) Xingjian (LR 2)
The Eight Extra
Meridians
Eight Extra Meridians
 The eight extra meridians are the general term for Ren,
Du, Dai, Yinwei, Yangwei, Yingqiao and Yangqiao
meridians.
 Their distributions are not regular like the twelve
meridians.
 They have no direct connection with and affiliation to the
viscera, and also with no exterior-interior relations among
themselves, therefore they are called extra meridians.
 The eight extra meridians strengthening the
communication among the twelve meridians
 Except for Dai meridian, most of the meridians run
from the lower to the upper, and no meridian
distributes in the upper limb.
 The eight meridians not directly connect with or
affiliate to the viscera, but they have close relations
with the brain and womb.
 There is no exterior-interior relationship among the
eight meridians;
 The running routes of every meridian are not like
the twelve meridians, with no definite symmetrical
relation on both right and left.
 Ren, Du and Dai meridians are of only one route
running singly.
 The eight extra meridians run vertically, transversely,
and crosswise among the twelve meridians ;
 They have the functions to strengthen the
communication among the meridians, and regulate qi-
blood in the regular meridians.
Running Route of Du Meridian
 - Du meridian runs along the posterior mid-line
Functions of Du Meridian
 Du meridian has the function to command qi-blood of
yang meridians in the whole body;
 Du meridian runs along the midline of back and its
meridian qi several times meets qi of the three yang
meridians of both hand and foot, Dazhui GV 14 as
their meeting point.
 Dai meridian comes out from the 2nd lumbar vertibra
and Yangwei meridian meets at Fengfu (GV 16) and
Yamen (GV 15).
 Du meridian communicates with qi of all the yang
meridians.
 Du meridian runs along the inside of the spinal
column and is closely related with the brain and spinal
marrow.
 The viscera in the body cavities are controlled by the

Du meridian qi through the Back-Shu points of the
bladder meridian.
 Du meridian branches out to join the kidney.
Running Route of the Ren Meridian
 Ren meridian runs along the anterior mid-line

Function of Ren Meridian
 Chong meridian meets Ren meridian at Yinjiao (GV
28)
 Links with all the yin meridians.
 Responsible for the origination and development of
the fetus.
Running Route of Chong Meridian
 Chong meridian
runs in the
abdomen, lower
limb and front of
the spinal
column
Function of Chong Meridian
 Chong meridian runs upward to the head, and
downward to the foot, posteriorly in the back and
anteriorly in the abdomen and chest, running
throughout the whole body.
 It is the communication hub to the circulation of qi
and blood, and can regulate qi and blood of the
twelve meridians.
 The descending part of it runs in the lower limb,
opening into yin meridians;
 The descending part of it runs in the lower limb,
opening into yin meridians.
 It can receive and regulate qi-blood of the twelve
meridians and the five Zang-viscera and six Fu-viscera
 It serves as “the sea of blood” and closely associated
with the menstruation and pregnancy of women.
 Only when Chong and Ren meridians keep smooth
and qi-blood are abundant.
Running Route of Dai Meridian
 Dai meridian runs transversely around the waist.
Functions of Dai Meridian
 Only Dai meridian runs around the waist thus it has
the function of binding the meridians run vertically.
 It binds and controls the relative meridians to
regulate qi of the meridians
 Malfunction of the dai meridian will lead to fullness of
the abdomen, weakness of the lumbar region and
coldness to the pelvic region
Running Route of Yinqiao Meridians
 Yinqiao meridian runs in
the medial aspect of the
lower limb, abdomen,
chest, head and eye.
Running Route of Yangqiao Meridians
 Yangqiao meridian runs
in the lateral aspect of
the lower limb,
abdomen, posterior
lateral aspect of the
chest, shoulder and
head
Functions of Yangqiao & Yinqiao Meridians
 Qiao here means heel and, forceful and nimble.
 To communicate yin and yang qi of the whole body,
and regulate the motion of the limbs and muscles.
 Moisten the eyes, control the closing-opening of the
eyelids and the motion of the lower limb.
Running Route of Yinwei Meridians
 Yinwei meridian runs in

the medial aspect of the
lower limb, abdomen
and neck.
Running Route of Yangwei Meridian
 Yangwei meridian runs

in the lateral aspect of
the lower limb,
shoulder and nape.
Functions of Yinwei & Yangwei Meridians
 Wei means regulating and connecting with.

 The major functions of Wei meridians are to regulate
all the meridians of the body.
 Yin meridian in its course meets three yin meridians of
foot and finally joins Ren meridian, so it regulates and
connects with yin meridians of the whole body.
Functions of Yinwei & Yangwei Meridians
 Yangwei meridian meets three yin meridians of foot

and finally joins Du meridian, it regulates and
connects with yang meridians of the whole body.
 Both Yinwei and Yangwei meridians regulate
commonly to play the role of importing and exporting
qi-blood, but not participate their circulation.
Running Route of Yinwei Meridians
 Yinwei meridian 阴维脉
runs in the medial aspect
of the lower limb,
abdomen and neck.
Running Route of Yangwei Meridian
 Yangwei meridian runs in

the lateral aspect of the
lower limb, shoulder and
neck.
Guiding Meridian Syndrome Differentiation
• For instance, in urinary retention and stress urinary
incontinence resulting from diabetic cystipathy may both
cause disorder of coordinative function between the
detrusor urinae of bladder and spincter urethrae.
• The former is caused by hyperglycemia results in injury of
parasympthetic nerve dominating the detrusor urinae of
bladder, leading to weak contractility of the detrusor
urinae of bladder, with relative hyperactive function of
sphincter urethrae; while the latter is due to laxation of
pelvic floor muscles and decrease of contraction of
sphincter urithrae caused by various factors, thus the
function of the detrusor urinae of bladder becomes
relatively hyperactive.
Expounding Pathological Changes
• The meridians affiliate internally to the viscera,
distribute externally in the body surface.
• So when the body surface is invaded by the
pathogens, the pathogens may go through the
meridian system to go from the exterior into the
interior, from the shallow to the deep, gradually
transmit inward to the viscera.
• Hence, the meridian system is the route for
transmission of the exogenous pathogens from the
skin and body surface into the viscera.
• As an example, when cold pathogen invades the body
surface, fever and aversion to cold, pain of the head
and body manifested.
• It is because the lung is associated with the skin and if
the pathogen in the exterior cannot be expelled, it will
transmit inward in to the lung and manifested cough,
chest distress, chest pain and etc.
• The lung meridian and the large intestine meridian
connect with each other, so there may appear
accompanying disorder of the large intestine such as
abdominal pain, diarrhea or constipation.
• Clinically, the meridian may be used to expound the
symptoms and signs of the special sites or the
corresponding sense organs and orifices in the body
surface that the disorders of the five Zang-viscera and
six Fu-viscera show.
• For example, the liver meridian of foot jueyin curves
round the external genitalia, descends to the lower
abdomen, spreads its branches over the costal and
hypochondriac region, and runs up to connect the eye
connector;
• So stagnation of liver qi may show pains in the
hypochondria and lower abdomen;
• Up-flaming of liver fire may show redness of the eyes;
• Dampness-heat in the liver meridian may show scrotal
wetness.
• Mutual transmission of the visceral disorders may also
be explained by the meridian theory.
• The disorder of a viscus may affect the other viscus
through the meridians.
• For example, the liver meridian of foot Jueyin affiliates
to the liver, runs by the stomach and enters the lung.
• So the disorder of the liver may affect the stomach,
and the fire of liver may affect the lung.
• The kidney meridian of foot Shaoyin enters the lung
and connects with the heart;
• So edema due to kidney deficiency may “invade the
heart” and “affect the lung”.
• The spleen meridian of foot Taiyin enters the heart;
• So failure of the spleen in transformation and
transportation may cause deficiency of heart blood.
• Clinically one can analyze the symptoms of a disease
combining with the running route and the connected
viscera of a meridian so as to diagnose what meridian
the syndrome associates with.
• For example, a pain in the hypochondria often
indicates disease of the liver and gallbladder;
• A pain in the Quepen usually means disorder of the
lung.
• For headache, forehead headache relates generally to
Yangming meridian; lateral headache to Jueyin meridian;
occipital headache and nape pain to Taiyin meridian;
vertical headache toJueyin meridian.
• In addition, when some disease is developing in some
meridian and the meridian qi stagnates, there often appear
obvious tenderness, nodule or streak reaction; or
morphologic or temperature or electric resistant changes,
which are all indication to diagnosis of disease.
• For patients with abdominal carbuncle there appears
sometime tenderness in Shangjuxu (ST 37) point of the
stomach meridian of foot Yangming.
• In genuine heart pain there is often pain at the left
inframammary area in anterior pectoral region, even
radiating to the left arm and little finger.
• In disorders of the spleen and stomach there usually
abnormal changes at Pishu (BL 20) point.
• In irregular menstruation or nocturnal spermarrhea there
is often tenderness at Henggu (KI 11) point.
• For patients with a prolonged indigestion there appear
sometimes abnormal changes at Pishu (BL 20) point.
• Examination of the meridian is also helpful to judge the
cold, heat, deficiency and excess nature of disease.
Guiding clinical treatment
• Points are the sites where qi-blood in circulation of the body
gathers, and also the sites from where pathogens invade the
body.
• Stimulating the points may treat the diseases of the viscera
and the meridians.
• The meridian system is thus the passageway for medicine to
play its property, and for the body to sense the stimulations
from mechanical, acoustic, optic, electric and magnetic
agents.
• Treatment of disease by acupuncture and moxibustion is
through puncturing the point or applying burning moxa over
the point to smooth meridian qi so as to restore the function
of the meridian in regulating visceral qi-blood of the body.
• Acumoxibustion at the point may at the same time and at

different levels act on normal or abnormal functions of
several organs and systems.
• For example, during the process of a operation under the
acupuncture anesthesia, acupuncture produces analgesic
effect, at the same time it can regulate the functions of
the relative systems in multiple aspects, so that during the
operation the blood pressure and pulsation are kept
stable, and the degree of post-operative pain in the
incision becomes mild, complications like infection are
reduced, and the post-operative recovery gets rapid.
• For instance, in urinary retention and stress urinary
incontinence resulting from diabetic cystipathy may both
cause disorder of coordinative function between the
detrusor urinae of bladder and spincter urethrae.
• The former is caused by hyperglycemia results in injury of
parasympthetic nerve dominating the detrusor urinae of
bladder, leading to weak contractility of the detrusor
urinae of bladder, with relative hyperactive function of
sphincter urethrae; while the latter is due to laxation of
pelvic floor muscles and decrease of contraction of
sphincter urithrae caused by various factors, thus the
function of the detrusor urinae of bladder becomes
relatively hyperactive.
• Pharmacotherapy is also taking the meridian as the
way.
• Only it is through the conduction and transportation
by the meridian system, can the medicine get to the
focus to cure disease, playing its therapeutic effect.
• Through long and repeated practice, medical scholars
found the medicinal theories on for natures, five
flavors, as well as ascending, descending, floating and
sinking actions. This is closely related to the meridian
theory.
• A particular herb has a selective therapeutic effect to
the illness of a certain meridian and its affiliated
viscus, accordingly they founded the theory of
“meridian-tropism of medicinal”.
• It is a summarization of the law of medicinal
treatment based on the clinical practice.
Meridian massage
• Tui Na describes the various hand forms used to
stimulate related acupuncture points, channels and
muscles. Chinese massage can be used alone to
improve circulation and strengthen the body, or in
synergy with acupuncture and herbs for the treatment
of many diseases.
• With the hand forms of pressing, pushing, pinching,
rolling, tapping, grasping etc., it can:
Meridian massage
• Stimulate the related points, channels and muscles of the
body
• Improve blood circulation and metabolism
• Regulate the flow of the Qi
• Remove stagnation and toxins
• Balance internal organs
• Recover the functions of the tendons, bones and joints
• Eliminate tiredness and fatigue
• Cure diseases and strengthen the body
• Stop pain
Thank You

Meridian Theory: Lecture By: M.K. Sastry

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MERIDIAN THEORY

Lecture by: M.K. Sastry

 A meridian is an ‘energy highway’ in the human body.

 The term ‘meridian’ describes the overall

 For example, the hand Yangming meridians “runs by the

 For example, the lung meridian of hand Taiyin affiliates to

 Some of the meridians, besides affiliate to and connect

 For example, the divergences of the foot Yangming, foot

2. Conveying Qi-Blood to Nourish the Whole body:

4. Regulating Functional Balance for the Body

 For example, when the stomach is in hypofunction, a mild

 Stomach problems, abdominal pain, distension,

 Runs from the armpit, along the inside of the arm,

 Runs from the upper part of the little finger, just

 Runs from a point at the bottom of the foot, along the

 The branch: Arising from the lung, it connects with the

 Runs from the armpit, down the middle of the inside

 Coming out superficially at the anterior aspect of the

 Fever & chills w/chills predominating;

 Swollen chin, stiff neck, sore throat, hearing

Yifeng (SJ 17)

Fengchi Yanglingquan Jianjing

 The viscera in the body cavities are controlled by the

 Ren meridian runs along the anterior mid-line

 Yinwei meridian runs in

 Yangwei meridian runs

 Wei means regulating and connecting with.

 Yangwei meridian meets three yin meridians of foot

 Yangwei meridian runs in

• Acumoxibustion at the point may at the same time and at

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