Meridians and Channels
Study of meridian channels is a complex subject and one that would take a Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner or Acupuncturist many years to master. For a practitioner of Chee Gung (Qigong) or Tai Chi it is not vital to know these energy pathways in detail in order to get the most out of practice.
A simple way to think of the meridian channels are invisible energy highways that run through the body. Just because there is no physical evidence of the meridian channels does not make them any less real.
Many centuries ago the Chinese mapped these energy channels and were able to treat a person with needles (acupuncture) or moxibustion(heat) to release energy blockages along the meridian channels. Also through Chinese medicine they were able to treat the constitution in order to revitalise energy flow along these channels.
Where Did The Term “Meridian” Come From?
Qigong and Tai Chi are full of words you may not have come across before. The Chinese, especially those studying Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chi Kung and Tai Chi have used the word meridian for centuries to describe the body’s energy distribution system, and helps anyone studying it to get to grips with how Qi flows.
How Do Meridian Affect the Body?
Each meridian is an energy channel that stores and transports vital Qi around the body to keep you healthy.. Physical, mental and emotional problems can arise from blockages of these vital channels.
Our energy flow affects how we feel, how we think, and the overall condition of our health situation. When the body’s life-force energy becomes blocked, various imbalances will result. If there is a “blockage” of a meridian channel can cause a lack of energy in the area or a surplus of energy in another part of the body. This is where TCM practitioners will use the body’s meridians for treatment of a condition or/and diagnosis.
Blockages can easily come about through stress, injury, trauma, or even bad living habits such as poor diet, addictions, lack of exercise and are considered the root of all health problems.
How Many Meridians Are There?
There are 12 major meridian channels in total that Qi can flow through. Each one of your limbs is accessed by six different channels – three Yin, and three Yang. To keep things simple all the major meridians end in the hands and feet. Daily massage of your fingers and hands and feet will go along way to keeping these organs healthy, happy and open. Below is a simple chart that gives the location of the endpoints of each major meridian channel. My Qigong Master Zhou Shihua says, treat problems while they are small and they won’t turn into big problems. Daily massage of the points below is a great way to do that. Of course, this can never substitute proper medical advice if you are experiencing a problem
