In my private medical practice, people ask me all the time, “What are meridians?” and “How do meridians work?” So in today’s video, I answer these questions.
According to ancient medical systems like Traditional Chinese Medicine, we not only have a physical body but also an energetic or subtle body. This subtle body is made up of meridians, nadis, or channels. These meridians act as pathways through which Qi, Prana, and blood flow. The meridians vary in size and importance and form an invisible web-like structure that connects all organs. This system is said to transmit information related to every process in the body and mind.
The meridian system can be compared to a complex system of waterways. First, there are the main channels. Then, those channels gradually move into smaller, finer internal pathways. These channels flow from one another without disconnection. Meridians are related to elements, corresponding organs, and emotional states.
In Chinese Medicine, the meridian system comprises 12 main meridians and 8 extraordinary meridians. Within those extraordinary meridians are the two central channels. To learn more about the individual meridians, be sure to check out my series about the individual meridians, like this one about the Lung and Large Intestine Meridian and this one about the Spleen and Stomach Meridian.
How does acupuncture work? How do the meridians work?
The way meridians work from a Western perspective is not fully understood. One theory suggests that the meridians are held in the connective tissue, where electrical impulses are carried through the moisture in that tissue. Qi, however, permeates everything, so it’s in fluids, blood, organs, and bone.
Acupuncture or acupressure points are located at small depressions called “gates” along the meridians. By accessing these points, an acupuncturist affects the flow of Qi and blood and can communicate with the internal organs. Herbal medicine also affects the meridian system. Each plant or herb enters specific meridians, resulting in specific therapeutic effects.
Meridian theory states that a disorder within a meridian will affect other areas along that same channel. For example, an issue with the liver may manifest along the meridian as red eyes.
It’s important to remember, though, that while a disease in a particular organ can manifest as a problem in its corresponding meridian, a meridian can also have a blockage or deficiency without any involvement of the physical organ itself. The most obvious example of this is a physical injury to a muscle or bone that doesn’t correlate with a deeper internal organ imbalance.
As you can see, meridian theory can be complex! I hope this has helped to explain some basic concepts. Make sure to leave your questions in the comments below. Thank you for reading, and I will see you again very soon.
