Channel Systems and Qi Flow in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Chemical Structures and Components

  • NH₂ - Amino group indicating the presence of nitrogen in organic compounds.
  • NH - Indicates differing nitrogen configurations in chemical structures.
  • AC504A - Indication of a certain compound or chemical reaction.
  • C₆H₆ - Benzene, a fundamental organic chemical compound.
  • CH₃ - Methyl group; indicates a carbon atom bound to three hydrogen atoms.
  • HCl - Hydrochloric acid, often used in chemical reactions.

Channels of Qi - Introduction

  • Concept of Channel Systems - Understanding how Qi flows through various channels in the body is vital in traditional Chinese medicine.
  • Practice and Measurements - Emphasis on measurement techniques in practice, such as location identification for acupuncture.

Measurement of Points (Cun Measurements)

  • Dot Placement Practice - Patients will experience palpation through measuring specific distances from anatomical landmarks.
    • 6 cun proximal to umbilicus
    • 2 cun distal to axillary crease
    • 3 cun proximal to medial malleolus
    • 4 cun distal to lateral popliteal crease
    • 2 cun medial to acromion, on the clavicle

Channel Systems Overview

  • Abbreviations for Organ Channels
    • LU - Lung
    • LI - Large Intestine
    • ST - Stomach
    • SP - Spleen
    • Ht - Heart
    • SI - Small Intestine
    • UB - Urinary Bladder
    • KD - Kidney
    • PC - Pericardium
    • SJ - San Jiao
    • GB - Gallbladder
    • LV - Liver

Learning Outcomes

  • Key Takeaways for Study
    • Review flow of Qi
    • Understand channel systems terminology
    • The eight extraordinary channels and their master and couple points
    • Familiarity with cun measurements for acupuncture techniques

Flow of Qi Across Channels

  • Qi Flow Directions:
    1. Chest to Hand
    2. Hand to Face
    3. Face to Foot
    4. Foot to Chest
  • Cycle Repetition: This sequence occurs three times, resulting in 3imes4=123 imes 4 = 12 channels.

Daily Qi Flow Patterns

  • Timing of Qi Flow in 24-Hour Cycle:
    • Lung (LU): 3-5 AM
    • Large Intestine (LI): 5-7 AM
    • Stomach (ST): 7-9 AM
    • Spleen (SP): 9-11 AM
    • Heart (Ht): 11 AM-1 PM
    • Small Intestine (SI): 1-3 PM
    • Urinary Bladder (UB): 3-5 PM
    • Kidney (KD): 5-7 PM
    • Pericardium (PC): 7-9 PM
    • Triple Heater (SJ): 9-11 PM
    • Liver (LV): 1-3 AM
    • Gallbladder (GB): 11 PM-1 AM

Channel Naming Conventions

  • Naming System:
    • Channels named based on:
    • Limb passage: Hand or Foot
    • Yin/Yang nature: Corresponding organ association (e.g., LU - Yin, LI - Yang)
    • Depth within the channel system markers (Yin or Yang levels)
    • Channel Pairing:
    • Each channel has a corresponding Hand and Foot pair and a Yin and Yang pair.
    • Example: Hand Tai Yang Small Intestine is paired with Foot Tai Yang Urinary Bladder via the Six Level Theory.

Six Levels of Channel Theory

  • All channels combined have Hand and Foot and Yin and Yang pairs.
  • Yin/Yang class:
    • Tai Yang, Shao Yang, Yang Ming
    • Tai Yin, Shao Yin, Jue Yin

Pathways of Qi Flow through Selected Channels

  • Channel Routes:
    • Lung (LU): Chest > Down arm > Into hand
    • Large Intestine (LI): Index finger tip > Up arm > Along neck > To face
    • Stomach (ST): Below eye > Down face, torso, abdomen, leg > Second toe
    • Spleen (SP): Corner of big toe > Up leg > To chest
  • Continuous Flow examples:
    1. Heart (HT) Flow: Chest > Down arm > Radial side of pinky nail
    2. Small Intestine (SI) Flow: Ulnar side of pinky nail > Up arm > Across neck > Face
    3. Urinary Bladder (UB) Flow: Face (eye) > Over head > Down back > Down leg > Edge of foot > Pinky toe
    4. Kidney (KD) Flow: Under pinky toe > Up foot > Up leg > Up abdomen > Chest

Terms in Channel System

  • Gao: Referring to fat/adipose tissue.
  • Huang: Referring to membranes and connective tissue.
  • Couli Space: The anatomical space between skin and muscles.

The San Jiao and Cou Li Discussion

  • Triple Burner Overview:
    • Represents a system of body cavities including the chest, abdominal, and pelvic cavities.
    • The concept Cou in Chinese medicine is related to the “texture” of these cavities. Cou Li is primarily related to the interstitial space seen between cells.

Definition of Cou Li

  • Cou Li emphasizes body textures and structures from inner organs to skin.
    • The organization of tissues according to their functions influences interstitial spaces between them, hence the importance noted in the Inner Canon and Golden Cabinet texts.

Depth Classification of Channels

  • Hierarchy:
    1. Cutaneous Regions
    2. Minute Collaterals
    3. Sinew Channels
    4. Luo-Connecting Channels
    5. Primary Channels
    6. Divergent Channels
    7. Extraordinary Channels

Functionality of Different Channel Types

  • Cutaneous Regions: Skin-related observations (e.g., discoloration). Treatable by external techniques (e.g. massage, cupping).
  • Minute Collaterals: Microscopic channels facilitating blood and Qi distribution; often compared to capillaries.
  • Sinew Channels: Function to link muscles and joints, protect body structures.
  • Luo Connecting Channels: Regulate the balance between yin/yang lungs and other functions such as blood stasis treatment.
  • Primary Channels: Circulation of Qi and blood and connections to internal organs.
  • Divergent Channels: Work to harmonize connections deep within organs and facilitate Qi flow to head and face.
  • Extraordinary Channels: Facilitate general Qi balance and act as reservoirs for safe energy flow.

Eight Extraordinary Channels

  • Master Points:】
    • Ren Mai: Coupled with Lu 7 and KD 6
    • Yin Qiao Mai: Coupled with KD 6 and LU 7
    • Du Mai: Coupled with SI 3 and UB 62
    • Yang Qiao Mai: Coupled with UB 62 and SI 3
    • Chong Mai: Coupled with SP 4 and P 6
    • Yin Wei Mai: Coupled with P 6 and SP 4
    • Dai Mai: Coupled with GB 41 and SJ 5
    • Yang Wei Mai: Coupled with SJ 5 and GB 41

Practice Exercises for Students

  1. Outline the 3 cycles of Qi flow, their locations, and channel names.
  2. List channels by depth, from most superficial to deepest, including a brief function for each channel.
  3. Document the master point of each extraordinary channel and its corresponding pair.
  4. Fill out specified body measurements (e.g., wrist to elbow, medial knee to medial malleolus, etc.).

Other Measurements and Techniques

  • Practical Identification of Channel Locations:
    • Measure from snuff box (LI5) to lateral cubital crease (LI11) - 3 cun
    • Points along the lung channel (LU3) - Locate 5 cun proximal to medial malleolus
    • ST38 distal to lateral popliteal crease
    • ST12 medial to acromion - additional landmarks systematic use in practice.