Meridians & Points

The Twelve Meridians

The ancient Chinese considered the twelve main meridians as the twelve officials of the body's kingdom.  They considered that each of these officials or energy flows governed a part of our personality and how we functioned in the world. Each of these officials had their job as part of the team and relied on each other to contribute to the whole.

This is a brief description of each of the officials and their duties.

1. The Heart Meridian.  The Heart is the king.  It is the ruler of the kingdom and as such hold the space for the others to do their job.  As with any government if the king is weak the whole kingdom feels insecure and on shaky ground. For us it can feel nothing is really safe or secure.
2. The Small Intestine is the sorter of pure from impure.  Whether that is from food or the nightly news, it sorts out what we need.    It helps us if we are in a muddle.  Then what is not pure and not needed it passes on to the large intestine to deal with.
3. The Bladder Meridian  is where  our vital energy is stored  for times of need. This is our ability to hold on to ideas, to stay with things to retain vital chi itself.  If we are tired it is good to look at the Bladder meridian.
4. The Kidney Meridian is the centre of our will and determination.  This part of us is like water ; when roused nothing can get in our way, when quiet can still erode a mighty mountain.  When unwell we don't have the will to do anything.
5. The Heart Protector  is like the soldier that stands in front of the king.  It protects us from shock and hurt.  When the Heart Protector is unwell things get into our heart and hurt us easily.  If we tend to feel anxious this can come from the Heart Protector.
6. The Three Heater maintains and regulates the temperature of the body's main sections and the person emotional temperature. It affects whether a person blows hot and cold and their ability to give warmth.
7. The Gall Bladder is the meridian of judgement and vision.  It helps us to see the future with flexibility and hope. If we are having trouble with seeing things or if we are rigid in our attitudes to things this can come from the Gall Bladder. With no vision there is no hope.
8. The Liver Meridian is the meridian of planning and action.  It is like the general of the army who takes the information from the Gall bladder.  With this it plans what needs to be done to move forward and does it !  If we never really get thing done or procrastinate with our decisions this can come from the Liver meridian.
9. The Lung Meridian Is the receiver of pure Chi. It is our connection to all that is pure, the heavens, all that is spiritual. This meridian helps us to see and appreciate  quality in ourselves, others and the outside world.
10. The Large Intestine  It is the waste system for the body, mind and emotional self.  When the Small Intestine has sorted pure from impure the Large Intestine makes sure we have space for new by getting rid of the old. This meridian affects our ability to let go of what is not needed.
11. The Stomach Meridian is our source of absorption.  This may be the pure Chi of food or our ability to absorb information, our ability to "take things in'.  In this it affects our ability to nurture ourselves, others and our ability to feel full and satisfied.
12. The Spleen Meridian Spleen is the Official of Transportation and Distribution  The spleen transforms food and drink, extracting Food Qi and food essences which are then distributed to Lungs/Heart/Liver. This process is central to the production of both Qi and Blood. Houses our "thought" influences our capacity for thinking, studying, concentrating, focussing and memorising.
    

There are 365 main acupuncture points spaced all over the body.  These are the main points that an acupuncturist will use in daily treatment.  There are also over 500 local, non meridian and master points that are not as commonly used.

Each of the points has an ancient name that is very important part of Five Element Acupuncture. Some of these pertain to the points location, a lot of them are to do with the Spirit of the Point.  The Spirit of the Point is about the particular healing energy available from that point.

Below is five examples of Acupuncture Points and their spirits, one chosen from one of each of the Five Elements.

• Stomach 20.  " Receive Fullness "  This point is on one of the Earth meridians.  Earth people can feel a sense of emptiness and this can express through a feeling of neediness.  Receive Fullness is the start of the healing, to help them know that there is enough and satisfaction is available.
• Lung 1 "Middle Palace" Metal is about heavenly purity with the Lung meridian and letting go of what is not pure or needed with the Colon. This point takes the patient to the Heavenly Palace where "God" resides, gives inspiration and pure essence.
• Kidney 7 "Returning Current" Water people can resemble both frozen or flooding water. This point helps maintain the balance, the harmony between these states. Reassures them that with a returning current there is safety, not just fear.
• Liver 14 "Gate of Hope" Wood is about the future and the ability to plan and make decisions. Open the Gate of Hope when there is resignation, no plans, no growth, no hope for the future.
• Heart Protector 8 "Palace of Weariness" There are four Fire meridians each with their own feel. Fire people may exhibit both an excess and lack of joy.  The Palace is where you take them to Gods house to be fed, bathed and rested when they are sick of struggling.  This fills them with Fire, warmth and love, gives them the strength to go on.