Human meridians. Scheme and directions, Chinese medicine

In classical European medicine, the term "organ" refers to a specific structure of a physiological type. Adepts of traditional Chinese medicine this concept denotes an integral functional system responsible for the circulation of energy flows.

The channels of their movement are called meridians in the human body, but it is impossible to see the diagram of their location and direction, since they are hidden in the depths of the body. In a healthy person, the energy moving along the channels is evenly distributed. With stagnation of energy, diseases appear, which Chinese doctors treat not with medicines, but by freeing the channels from stagnant phenomena.

What are human meridians

The concept of meridians is recognized as a fundamental concept in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and the category "meridian" itself appeared in Europe at the end of 1939. According to Chinese philosophy, the human body is permeated with a network of channels connecting organs and all tissues.

The concept of meridians with outlets on the skin surface is used to understand the principles of the functioning of the human body, including physiology and psyche.

Briefly about the foundation of traditional Chinese medicine

The principles of oriental medical techniques are based on the knowledge of many generations of healers described in ancient treatises. The modern version of the teachings with a set of practical recommendations was systematized by Chinese doctors during the 50s. XX century.

However, the Chinese paradigm about the meaning of symbols and numbers has not been accepted by Western scholars. The reason is connected with the processes and mechanisms of circulation of the internal energy "Chi" through the energy channels in the human body, which are invisible to the eye.

The key point of the Chinese system of "education of life" is the doctrine of the meridians along which energy vortices of Qi propagate in a living body. This is the basic concept of Chinese philosophy, it is based on the principles of metaphysical logic, which explains reality from the point of view of the primacy of the role of nature in the search for the “beginning of beginnings”.

Qi energy is a philosophical category, it is both a spiritual and material substance within the space-time continuum, it is the basis of the structure of the Universe.

From the point of view of TCM, life energy is presented in several forms:

Form term	Brief explanation
Zheng-chi	True energy (correct) associated with the breath of nature.
Yuan-chi	The original form of inherited energy.
Xie-chi	A harmful form associated with bad breath.

Modern medicine (evidence-based) views traditional Chinese medicine as a pseudoscience, which relies on metaphysical concepts and psychophysiological practices (Tao, Qigong, Wushu, other). Pseudo-medical techniques are also considered to be acupuncture techniques (zhen-chiu), which are based on manipulating the energy of Chi.

Human meridians (the scheme and directions of their course from the point of view of TCM adherents provide the interaction of the etheric and physical body, their close connection) are used in acupuncture acupuncture, which is called alternative medicine.

However, the channel bed does not coincide with the network of fibers of the nervous system, except for the points of some meridians (bladder, anterior and posterior canals).

Chinese meridians do not correspond to the anatomical picture of the distribution of blood and lymphatic vessels. A well-known scientist, author of the canonical textbook on the basics of acupuncture V. G. Vogralik designated the meridian as a functional system:

Thus, the organ is not mechanically connected with the meridian, and the channel itself, being a functional system, has a complex morphological structure. It solves specific tasks from a broader perspective than the functioning of the organ itself. In this case, if we are talking about a separate organ, it should be understood that the functional system of the Liver, Lungs and other energy structures is meant.

Professor Vogralik noted that even ancient Chinese doctors noticed an unusual effect when, when exposed to certain points of the body, the patient feels a positive influence in a specific direction. As a result, there is a tendency to further improve the functioning of the diseased organ.

An irritating effect on one group of points promotes the advancement of hypothetical energy in different directions. The ways of its propagation in most cases coincide with the vector of irradiation (spread of a painful surge) from the inside or outside in the area of ​​the affected organ.

A similar effect is explained by the interaction of the organ with the outer integument through the network of meridians - the channels for the movement of energy (Qi). That is why, by irritating acupuncture points, it is possible to change the movement of energy, which helps to relieve pain in a particular organ.

It is important to take into account that we are talking about vital energy (tone, vitality), which the famous scientist called an integral indicator of the activity of the whole organism.

What are the meridians

According to metaphysical concepts that identify a person with the microcosm of the Earth, a person has an energy body, which is a system of complex interweaving of energy paths. Vital chi vortexes run along these routes, connecting the main and external organs, to ensure the health of the entire body.

Human meridians (the scheme and directions of their distribution are arbitrary) do not represent the spleen or kidneys, the concept of the energy course includes communication with other structures, as well as their influence.

Taking into account the concepts of traditional Chinese medicine, the human body has 12 main meridians (paired), 2 unpaired channels (anterior / posterior) and 8 channels, called "miraculous" ("saviors"):

№№	Name of the main meridian	Functional system composition	The direction of the energy vortex, the type of its movement	Number of points per line
1	Lungs (P)	The lungs themselves, skin tissues, as well as 2 types of nervous systems (central and peripheral).	From Liver to Large Intestine. Centrifugal.	11
2	Large intestine (GI)	The transport channel for the evacuation of digestive waste is energetically connected with the Lungs meridian.	From Lungs to Stomach. Centripetal.	20
3	Stomach (E)	The energy system is responsible for the intake and digestion of food, ensuring a balance between processes.	From the Large Intestine to the Spleen (pancreas). Centrifugal.	45
4	Spleen (RP)	The spleen is connected with all organs of the digestive tract, is in charge of the processing and absorption of food, the evacuation of toxins.	From Stomach to Heart. Centripetal.	21
5	Heart (C)	The task of the functional system is to ensure the transport of blood.	From the Spleen to the Large Intestine. Centrifugal.	9
6	Small intestine (IG)	It controls the intake of nutrients, their transformation and distribution of nutrition throughout the body.	From Heart to Bladder. Centripetal.	19
7	Bladder (V)	The excretory structure, paired with the kidneys, is included in the system of fluid exchange, evaporation and processing.	From the Small Intestine to the Kidneys. Centrifugal.	67
8	Kidney (R)	They are responsible for the bone skeleton, the production of medulla, they are in charge of conception, sexual instinct and growth.	From the Bladder to the Pericardium. Centripetal.	27
9	Pericardium (MS)	The protective cover of the heart provides blood circulation through the vessels. Together with the Heart, it participates in the work of the central nervous system (psyche, intellect).	From the Kidneys to the Three Heaters Functional System. Centrifugal.	9
10	"Three heaters" (TR)	The Jiao meridian category includes 3 heaters: the upper one includes the lungs and heart, the lower one - the kidneys and liver. The average system includes the Stomach and Spleen systems.	From the Pericardium to the Gallbladder. Centripetal.	23
11	Gallbladder (VB)	The structure accumulates bile and secretes bile secretions into the digestive tract. The organ is energetically connected with the psyche.	From the Three Heaters channel to the Liver. Centrifugal.	44
12	Liver (F)	System for the production of blood and enzymes, regulation of composition, management of ligaments. Provides transportation and removal of unnecessary items.	From the Gallbladder to the Lungs. Centripetal.	14

The meridians permeating the human body are a hypothetical scheme and directions of movement of energy vortices of Chi. This concept is the result of a harmonious system of knowledge of ancient TCM healers, who considered the human body as a harmonious combination of physiology with the psyche.

According to their ideas, in addition to the 12 meridians (main) in the human body, there are two secondary energy channels that do not belong to the general circle of circulation.

The 13 "miraculous" vessel, called the Back-Middle (VG), lacks a certain hourly activity with a constant circulation of energy from the bottom up. When the main circle of 12 meridians cannot cope with disturbances in the body, the 13 meridian turns into a "savior", controlling all Yang channels.

The 14th meridian by traditional Chinese medicine is called the Fore-median (VC), the movement of energy in it is constant (from top to bottom), but along the front side. There is also no hourly activity.

If the energy flow of the main meridians does not cope with chronic diseases, the Antero-median vessel (the second “miraculous”) is connected, which becomes “salutary”. The functional system of the 14th meridian unites all the Yin flows of the power system.

Foot and hand meridians

The Chinese were the first to learn about the effect of exposure to biologically active points located in the places of the closest contact of the energy meridians with the skin surface. This was reflected in TCM techniques (su-jok therapy, acupuncture, etc.), and later became the basis of Western European reflexology.

The relationship between the points on the skin, and there are about 700 of them, and the organs located inside has been confirmed experimentally.

Direction name	Place of passage of energy lines
Yin (calm, feminine)	Yin meridians penetrate the front of the body and the inner surface of the limbs.
Yang (movement, masculine)	The Yang meridians penetrate the outer (extensor) side of the limbs, run along the sides of the body and along the back.

From the point of view of the anatomy of the human body, meridians are subdivided into hand and foot lines. They were called long meridians, which include 6 of the 12 main passages. The hand canals are wrapped around the arms: 3 canals run along the outside, and the other 3 run along the inside of the upper limbs.

The channels of the hand meridians located on the inner and outer side of the arm consist of 3 parts (front, middle and back):

• The inner line (Yin) flows from the fingers - the thumb and middle fingers, the little finger. It unites three meridians - Lungs, Pericardium, Heart.
• The outer line (Yang) starts from the same fingers, but on the outside. It unites three meridians - Large intestine, Triple heater, Small intestine.

The place of the symmetrical arrangement of the leg meridians is the lower limbs:

• The inner stripe (Yin) rises from the big toe and also from the center of the sole. It unites three meridians - Spleen, Liver, Kidneys.
• The outer stripe (Yang) starts from the base of the 2nd, middle and little fingers (near the nail). It unites three meridians - Stomach, Gallbladder, Bladder.

Human meridians (the scheme and directions of their occurrence can be considered a reliable fact thanks to TCM healers), possessing good permeability, do not impede the free movement of vortex flows of Qi, which ensures a full supply of organs blood. If problems with the passage of the channel are found, energy exchange with nature is disrupted, and a person develops diseases.

Grouping of meridians by primary elements

Each of the 12 meridians has several standard points, their properties depend on belonging to one of the two substances. However, the posterior and anterior median canals do not have such points. Internal branches are used to communicate with internal organs (Yin syndrome), external lines are connected to the skin (Yang syndrome).

It is the main lines of the power system, successively passing one into the other, that interact with the organs, but the maximum activity of the channels persists for only 2 hours. When a chronic process forms in the body, the movement of Qi is disrupted in several constant directions at once, which causes the appearance of "miraculous" channels that are unstable.

The cyclical nature of the change in the activity of energy flows (meridians) corresponds to the daily cycle of Chi energy circulation. When a person falls ill, there is an excess (Yang state) or a lack (Yin) energy not only in one, but also in several physiological organs.

The reason is the closedness of the meridian system. Due to this, the currents stimulate each structure alternately, as a result of which an even distribution of energy throughout the body as a whole is achieved.

The harmony of such judgments has become the essence of biorhythmology - the foundation of the accuracy of the impact with TCM techniques. But taking into account the influence of the Yin-Yang theory, as well as the unified integrity of the structure of the human body.

Periods of meridian activity

If you turn to the ancient knowledge of China, you can find that the Chinese day was divided into 12 time intervals ("shichen"), each of which is equal to 2 hours. It was within the framework of this gradation that BMT doctors treated patients, focusing on alternating periods of activity of internal organs.

The ordered circulation of vital energy along the 12 main meridians and 2 additional meridians also obeys the "shichen" law.

The activity of each channel is not the same throughout the day, it has maximum and minimum periods. The time periods of the maximum active period are called “organ clock” by TCM, and their duration is 2 hours. This time is ideal for treating organs and functional systems, influencing them with manual methods or drugs.

Human meridians (the scheme and directions of their location correspond to the sequential flow of energy throughout the body) work according to a schedule. Checking with the "organ clock", when the energy flow of maximum force passes through it, the best results of the therapeutic effect can be expected.

№№	Name of the main meridian	Max activ, hours	Details	Min activ, hours
1	Lungs	03-05	During the active work of the channel, the Yang energy is generated, the blood begins to move. All other organs are resting.	15-17
2	Colon	05-07	Activating the meridian promotes detoxification. A glass of water (warm) drunk on an empty stomach will help to flush the colon.	17-19
3	Stomach	07-09	The rise of energy (Yang), and the stomach begins to work after sleep. This is the time for a hearty breakfast (Yin) to achieve Yang-Yin balance.	19-21
4	Spleen	09-11	Period of assimilation / distribution of nutrients and fluids (digestion).	21-23
5	A heart	11-13	An excess of Yang energy can cause the heart to malfunction, so it needs rest.	23-01
6	Small intestine	13-15	The process of processing, breaking down and transporting nutrients will require large volumes of water.	01-03
7	Bladder	15-17	The active work of the main channel to remove toxins and toxins fills the body with energy and strength, strengthening health.	03-05
8	Kidney	17-19	Stimulation of the appearance of urine, filtration of processed substances. This is the best time for the treatment of kidney pathologies.	05-07
9	Pericardium	19-21	The hours of calmness of the whole organism, when the volume of Yin energy increases, and Yang energy decreases.	07-09
10	"Three heaters"	21-23	A time of peace and quiet, the apogee of Yin energy, the body prepares for a night's rest. This is the optimal time to fall asleep.	09-11
11	Gall bladder	23-01	Sleep is the best time for stable bile secretion, which normalizes the functioning of all organs and systems.	11-13
12	Liver	01-03	The sleeping person's liver switches from releasing energy to cleansing the sleeping body and regulating blood renewal.	13-15

Human meridians (the scheme and directions of circulation in the human body strictly obey fundamental laws) are present in everyone, regardless of the place of birth and skin color. According to TCM representatives, the events of the day are controlled by the Yang energy, which provides a person with strength to do business.

The night is held under the auspices of Yin energy, when a good rest helps to restore strength, replenish energy reserves before the start of the next day.

What makes meridians passages?

Stagnation of blood, an increase in its viscosity harms the free flow of Chi energy. If we put it into modern language, then the movement of blood in a large circle is hindered by the presence of viruses and bacteria, infectious diseases, as well as an imbalance in the state of mind.

This leads to a "blockage" of the meridians - the accumulation of energy on the way to the spleen, lungs or liver, causing malfunctioning of the organ.

By ridding oneself of negative thoughts and depression, fear and anger, many diseases can be cured, according to TCM. The easiest way to improve the patency of the meridians can be massage or tapping energy bands, even without information about active points.

How to activate work?

To restore the functioning of the network of energy vortices, it is necessary to increase blood circulation in a large circle. To do this, TCM doctors advise to adhere to the correct daily regimen, taking into account the system of "organ clock", to cure diseases in time and completely, putting in order your thoughts and psyche.

Chinese physicians do not cure diseases. They restore the patency of the meridians and open them with massage or acupuncture techniques, a whole series of exercises, but without the help of pills.

It is equally important to know the location of biologically active points on the meridians. Then massage from the very tips of the fingers and toes with an upward movement will help cleanse the energy channels, stabilize the expenditure of vital energy ("fire in the heart"). Indeed, a Chinese proverb says that the “fire” of hatred and anger blazing in the heart becomes the cause of disease.

The existence of a structural and functional system of human meridians has been experimentally proven by modern biophysicists. However, the postulates of the metaphysical theory of TCM, the scheme and directions of the canals do not have anatomical and histological confirmation.

Despite this, adherents of alternative medicine successfully apply the knowledge of ancient Chinese healers to help sick people.

Video about human meridians

How to activate human meridians: