Spa China – A Map Of Meridians
Balancing The Chinese Life Force:
3. A Map Of Meridians:
Meridians are channels through which qi is circulated through the body. The meridian network, which is like a cobweb of crawling capillaries, comprises a system of 12 main channels spread throughout the body – six yin channels and six yang channels – and eight ‘extraordinary channels’. Each channel corresponds to an organ whose name it carries. Yin channels are linked with corresponding yang channels and along them are vital points called acupoints that are used in acupuncture and its associated therapies.
It is at these strategic acupoints that qi accumulates, making it more easily located and manipulated. Qi is stimulated in various ways at these precise locations using needles, hands, fingers, or even the palms, elbows, knees and feet, depending on the treatment being administered. There are altogether 300 acupoints in the body, but only some 57 are commonly used. Acupoints are located by proportional measurements called cun, the distance between the two creases on the middle fingers. Each acupoint is numbered according to its position along the meridian it is located on and may have a poetic name reflecting its use or the part of the body that it is linked to. For example, KD1 is the first acupoint on the Kidney Meridian; and ST1, appropriately named ‘Containing Tears’, is located on the lower eye socket and helps reduce excessive watering of the eye.
