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Acupuncture: the ancient Chinese believed that there is a universal life energy called Chi or Qi present in every living creature. This energy is said to circulate throughout the body along specific pathways that are called meridians. As long as this energy flows freely throughout the meridians, health is maintained, but once the flow of energy is blocked, the system is disrupted and pain and illness occur. Imagine rivers that flood and cause disasters or an electrical grid short-circuiting that causes blackouts. Acupuncture works to “re-program” and restore normal functions by stimulating certain points on the meridians in order to free up the Chi energy.
(www.acupuncture.com)
Bladder Meridian: starts at the inner side of the eye and goes across the forehead to reach the top of the head where it branches into the brain. The main channel then goes across the back of the head and divides into two branches. One branch crosses the center of the base of the neck and extends downwards parallel to the spine. Once in the lumbar region (bottom of the spine), it branches out to reach the bladder. The other branch crosses the back of the shoulder and runs downward on the outside, which is adjacent and parallel to the inner branch. It continues down until it reaches the buttocks where two branches run across the back of thigh along different pathways that join at the back of the knee. The joint meridian then continues along the back of the lower leg, circles behind the outer ankle, runs along the outside of the foot and terminates on the lateral side of the tip of the small toe, where it connects with the Kidney Meridian.
(www.shen-nong.com/eng/principles/bladdermeridian.html)
Circulation-Sex Accupuncture Meridian: the Pericardium Meridian (commonly referred to as the "circulation-sex" meridian) starts from the chest, leaves the pericardium organ and runs downwards through the diaphragm to connect with the triple burner. A branch rising from the chest emerges from the lower chest region and travels upwards to the axilla (armpit). From the medial aspect of the upper arm, it makes its way down between the lung and heart channels, until it reaches the elbow crease. It then runs down the forearm and enters the palm ending at the tip of the middle finger. Another short branch splits off from the palm to connect with the Triple Burner Meridian at the end of the ring finger. Disharmony of the Pericardium Meridian is related to the imbalance of the TCM heart and blood functions. The manifestation includes heart pain (precordial pain), chest discomfort, palpitations and an oppressed feeling in the chest. Since the Heart stores the "shen" or mental activities, Pericardium Meridian disorders are related to mania. In addition, swelling of the axilla and spasms of the elbow and arm can indicate a problem in this meridian, since it passes through these areas
(www.shen-nong.com/eng/principles/pericardiummeridian.html)
Electroacupuncture (E.A.V.): developed 50 years ago by the German doctor Reinhard Voll, EAV is based on the classic Chinese method of acupuncture and its theory of the human body's energy force and functional cycles. There is an energetic, dynamic balance between human organs and the acupuncture points. The practitioner measures changes in electrical conductivity at the acupuncture points on the skin of the hands and feet, using a point electrode. This examination makes it possible to measure functional connections. The energetic condition of the human body can be affected by harmful environmental influences such as drugs, toxins, insecticides, pesticides, viruses, bacteria, dental material, and disrupted fields. These factors can be read by EAV without the need for invasive surgery or laboratory tests. EAV is particularly effective for finding the cause of chronic pain and countering the blocking effect of hot spots. The remote actions of hot spots follow Chinese acupuncture meridians. In this way, pain caused by a rheumatic condition, for example, follows the diseased kidney and bladder meridian. An infected tooth can have a harmful effect on associated organ systems leading to arthritis, headaches or back pain. In the past, Chinese doctors discovered meridians by examining the way in which pain spread. Although the human body is designed to heal itself and will do everything that is necessary for the preservation of life, self-healing is often prevented by diseases and disorders.
(www.eavnet.com)
Gallbladder and Liver Meridians: the liver (Yin) and the gall bladder (Yang) are considered paired organs. They correspond to Wood in the “Five Phases,” eastern direction, spring, windy climates and the color green. They are further associated with sour taste, an odor resembling that of a goat, anger and the sound of shouting. Their point of outside contact is through the eyes. They control the sinews (muscles and joints), and their health is reflected in the fingernails and toenails.
(http://www.bodychannel.net/channel/DCHANNEL.ASP?idChannel=12)
Jen Qi: a Qigong term which means "true energy". Qigong counteracts the chronic stress and strain of daily life on the body as well as the mind, which in Chinese medicine are inseparable, and restores optimum equilibrium to essence, energy, and spirit. Qigong balances the depleting Yang fire energy of the temporal life by cultivating the soothing, restorative Yin water energy derived from hormones and neurochemicals. To put this into a modern concept, qigong orchestrates perfect balance between body and brain by establishing a condition of beneficial biofeedback between the nervous and endocrine systems. This fosters "True Energy" (Jen Qi), which is the basis of human health and longevity.
(http://members.tripod.com/~Jane_ZQS/notes/03.html)
Kidney 1: an acupuncture point that is located on the sole, in depression with foot in plantar flexion, at the junction of the anterior 1/3 and posterior 2/3 of line connecting base of the 2nd and 3rd toes with the heel.
(www.yinyanghouse.com/acupuncturepoints/kd1)
Kidney Meridian: starts from the inferior side of the small toe. Crossing the middle of the sole and the arch of the foot, it circles behind the inner ankle and travels along the innermost side of the lower leg and thigh, until it enters the body near the base of the backbone. After connecting with the kidney, it comes out at the pubic bone. Over the abdomen, it runs externally upwards until it reaches the upper part of the chest (the inner side of clavicle). A second branch emerges from the kidney and moves internally upwards and passes through the liver, diaphragm, lungs and throat, finally terminating at the root of the tongue. Another small branch divides from the lung to connect with the heart and the pericardium. Disharmony of Kidney Meridian can manifest as wheezing or coughing because the kidneys "grasp the qi". They also are the "mansion of fire and water," and the "residence of yin and yang". If there is insufficient nourishment and warming of the kidney, symptoms like edema (swelling), constipation, and diarrhea can indicate an imbalance in this meridian. Pain in the groin and pharynx (throat), which are located along the meridian's pathway, also can indicate a problem with the Kidney Meridian. Acupuncture points in this meridian are used for gynecological, genital, kidney, lung, and pharynx (throat) diseases. They are also indicated for symptoms associated with the pathway of the meridian.
(http://www.shen-nong.com/eng/principles/kidneymeridian.html)
Large Intestine Meridian: starts at the tip of the index finger and runs between the thumb and the index finger. It then proceeds along the lateral side of the forearm and the anterior side of the upper arm, until it reaches the highest point of the shoulder. From there, it has two branches. One goes internally towards the lungs, diaphragm and large intestine. The other travels externally upwards where it passes the neck and cheek, and enters the lower teeth and gums. It then curves around the upper lip and crosses to the opposite side of the nose. Disharmony of the Large Intestine Meridian can lead to symptoms of abdominal pain, intestinal cramping, diarrhea, constipation and dysentery. Since it passes through the oral cavity and the nose, symptoms like toothache, a runny nose, nosebleeds, and pain or heat along the meridian pathway can also indicate a disorder in this meridian. Acupuncture points in this meridian are indicated for diseases affecting the head, face, pharynx (throat), febrile conditions and other symptoms along the meridian pathway.
(http://www.shen-nong.com/eng/principles/largeintestinemeridian.html)
Lungs Meridian: originates in the middle portion of the body, and runs downwards connecting with the large intestine. It then turns and passes through the diaphragm to connect with the lungs. This meridian branches out from the axilla (armpit) and runs down the medial aspect of the upper arm where it crosses the elbow crease. It continues until it passes above the major artery of the wrist, and emerges at the tip of the thumb. Another branch emerges from the back of the wrist and ends at the radial side of the tip of the index finger to connect with the Large Intestine Meridian. Meridian originates in the middle portion of the body, and runs downwards connecting with the large intestine. It then turns and passes through the diaphragm to connect with the lungs. This meridian branches out from the axilla (armpit) and runs down the medial aspect of the upper arm where it crosses the elbow crease. It continues until it passes above the major artery of the wrist, and emerges at the tip of the thumb. Another branch emerges from the back of the wrist and ends at the radial side of the tip of the index finger to connect with the Large Intestine Meridian. Disorders of the Lung Meridian lead to diseases related to TCM lung dysfunction. According to TCM, the lung rules and regulates qi throughout the body and administers respiration (breathing). In addition, the lung moves and adjusts the water channels, so disorders of this meridian may be related to disharmony of lung fluid or "water" and respiratory disorders. Symptoms like chest discomfort with a fullness sensation, dyspnea (shortness of breath), cough, and wheezing indicate Lung Meridian disharmony. This disharmony can also lead to pain along the meridian position. For example, a person may feel pain in the shoulder and back or along the anterior border of the medial aspect of the arm. Acupuncture points in the Lung Meridian are indicated for throat, chest and lung ailments and for other symptoms that are presented along the meridian's pathway.
(www.shen-nong.com/eng/principles/lungmeridian.html)
Meridians: the channels in the body along which energy travels. There are 12 major meridians.
(www.acupuncture.com)
Qi: energy that flows in the meridians and carries some information from one acupoint to where the pain is. In more precises scientific terms: Qi is vibration. Qi is oscillation of the meridians. More precisely, qi is quantum oscillations on the system of meridians. Qi is what carries the effect of acupuncture from one acupoint to other parts of the body. The oscillations on the meridians are like oscillations on a piano wire. When we hit the piano wire, the wire oscillates, and we hear the sound. We cannot see the propagation of sound from the piano wire to our ear, but we feel the oscillation of the piano wire if we use our hands to touch the wire. The sound in the air is the oscillation of air molecules. We cannot see the oscillation of air molecules, but when sound hits our eardrum, we hear the sound. Sound has energy, and carries a type of message to the ear. When a needle is inserted into an acupoint, the patient will feel a little pain. More sensitive patients will feel qi moving along the meridians. Qi is the oscillations of polarized media in the meridians (which are most likely made up of stable water clusters with permanent electric dipole moments, as we discussed in an earlier article in this series). We cannot see the propagation of qi with our eyes, but when qi reaches the problem area, we can use infrared image techniques to see its effect.
(www.acupuncturetoday.com/mpacms/at/article.php?id=28529)
Small Intestine Meridian: an energy channel that starts from the tip of the little finger and crosses the palm and wrist. It runs upwards along the posterior side of the forearm until it reaches the back of shoulder where it ends at the uppermost part of the back (the bottom of the neck). At this position, it first branches off and moves internally through the heart and stomach to reach the small intestine. The second branch travels externally across the neck and cheek until it reaches the outer corner of the eye and then enters the ear. A short branch in the cheek moves upward to the inner corner of the eye where it connects with the Bladder Meridian.
(www.shen-nong.com/eng/principles/smallintestinemeridian.html)
Spleen Acupuncture Point: located on the inner side of the leg just above the ankle. Although it is on the spleen meridian, which generally influences the digestive system, this point is also valuable for treating hormonal disorders (irregular menstruation, impotence) and immune disorders. Another key point on this meridian is SP9 (Yinlingquan), located just below the knee. It is used in the treatment of urinary diseases, especially with fluid retention, abdominal and back pain, and female reproductive system disorders.
(http://chinese-school.netfirms.com/acupuncture-points.html)
Stomach Meridian: an energy channel in the body that starts from the end of the Large Intestine Meridian at the side of the nose, and passes through the inner corner of the eye to emerge from the lower part of the eye. Going downwards, it enters the upper gum and curves around the lips and lower jaw. It then turns upwards, passing in front of the ear, until it reaches the corner of the forehead where it splits into an internal and external branch. The internal branch emerges from the lower jaw, running downwards until it reaches its pertaining organ, the stomach. The external branch crosses the neck, chest, abdomen and groin where it goes further downward along the front of the thigh and the lower leg, until it reaches the top of the foot. Finally, it terminates at the lateral side of the tip of second toe. Another branch emerges from the top of the foot and ends at the big toe to connect with the Spleen Meridian. Stomach Meridian disorders have symptoms of stomachache, rapid digestion, hunger, nausea and vomiting, or thirst. Other symptoms that relate to disorders along the meridian pathway include abdominal distension, ascites (a fluid build up in the abdomen), sore throat, nosebleeds, or pain in the chest or knee.
(www.shen-nong.com/eng/principles/stomachmeridian.html)
Triple Warmer Meridian: responsible for the “fight-or-flight” response. It networks every energy in the body, except heart energy. If it senses you’re in danger, it sucks energy from everywhere except the heart. It’s as if an army gets conscripted and the energies can’t keep their old job. They have to come and fight. We live in a world where that’s generally not what it’s about anymore, but triple warmer thinks it is because it was programmed millions of years ago. The triple warmer response is a very expensive response in terms of your body’s resources. It not only takes a lot of resources, it also puts a lot of chemicals into your body that have to be burned off. If you don’t complete the impulse to fight or flee, they don’t get burned off and they are like poison to your body.
(www.energymed.org/ecr/2005-09_sep_ecr.htm)
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