{"id":10313,"date":"2014-05-02T21:13:40","date_gmt":"2014-05-03T01:13:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/yang-sheng.com\/?p=10313"},"modified":"2014-05-15T21:55:06","modified_gmt":"2014-05-16T01:55:06","slug":"part-2-the-divergent-or-distinct-meridians","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/yang-sheng.com\/?p=10313","title":{"rendered":"The Divergent or Distinct Meridians (Part 2)"},"content":{"rendered":"

[Scientific Qi Exploration<\/a>]<\/p>\n

Part 2: The Divergent or Distinct Meridians<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

By Marty Eisen, Ph.D.<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

The Third Confluence<\/b><\/p>\n

(a)\u00a0 Stomach Divergent Channel<\/b><\/p>\n

\"Stomach<\/a>Departing from the Stomach Meridian on the thigh, it enters the abdomen, connects with the stomach and disperses into the spleen.\u00a0 Then, ascending through the heart and alongside the esophagus, it reaches the mouth.\u00a0 Continuing upward, it runs beside the nose, connects with the eye and finally joins the Stomach Meridian.<\/p>\n

Its Access Point is S 30 (Qi Chong or Surging Qi), which is close to the departure point, near the symphysis pubis and inguinal ligament as described in (2).<\/p>\n

Its Return Point is officially B 1 (Jing Ming or Bright Eyes, which is near the inner canthus of the eye.\u00a0 Needling this point can be stressful to most patients and S 1 (Cheng Qi or Tear Container) is used instead.\u00a0 There is a branch from S1 to B 1 (2).<\/p>\n

(b)\u00a0\u00a0 Spleen Divergent Channel<\/b><\/p>\n

Diverging from the <\/b>Spleen Meridian on the thigh, it converges with the Stomach Divergent Meridian, runs upward to the throat, and finally enters the tongue.\u00a0 Another description of the departure point is near the symphysis pubis and inguinal ligament (2).\"Spleen<\/a><\/p>\n

Its Access Point is Sp 12 (Chong Men or Surging Gate), which is near to the departure point in (2).\u00a0 It has the same Return Points described in (a).<\/p>\n

The region of greatest activity for this couplet is the abdominal and pelvic cavities (uterus, ovaries, large and small intestines, stomach and spleen).\u00a0 However, the esophageal, tongue, nasal, frontal and maxillary sinus regions also can be treated with good results.<\/p>\n

The Fourth Confluence<\/b><\/p>\n

(a)\u00a0 Small Intestine Divergent Channel<\/b><\/p>\n

It starts by leaving its principal meridian from the posterior aspect of the shoulder, passes downward to the axilla, goes deeper to pass into the heart and then further downwards to pass into the small intestine.\u00a0 The Small Intestine Divergent Channel then joins its principal meridian, which it follows upward through the throat.\u00a0 Finally, it runs in a branch of the Small Intestine Meridian to terminate at the inner canthus of the eye at B 1, joining the Heart Divergent Meridian.<\/p>\n

Its Access Point is SI 10 (Nao Shu or Upper Arm Shu) and its return Point is B 1.<\/p>\n

\"Small<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/b>Figure 3. Small Intestine Divergent Channel<\/b><\/p>\n

(b)\u00a0 Heart Divergent Channel<\/b><\/p>\n

\"Figure<\/a>

Figure 5. Heart Divergent Channel<\/p><\/div>\n

After diverging rom the Heart Meridian in the axillary fossa, it penetrates the chest and enters the heart.\u00a0 Then it ascends to the throat, emerges on the face and joins the Principal and Distinct Meridians of the Small Intestine at the inner canthus of the eye (B 1).<\/p>\n

Its Access Point is H 1 (Ni Quan or Highest Spring) and its Return Point is B 1.<\/p>\n

This couplet\u2019s pathway passes through the heart and loops through the small intestine.\u00a0 However, its range of influence is limited to the heart and pericardium and their immediate vicinity.\u00a0 Even though it passes through the small intestine organ, clinical results show that it is not effective for treating abdominal problems.<\/p>\n

The Fifth Confluence<\/b><\/p>\n

These pathways are the most poorly defined and also used the least in clinical applications.\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

(a)\u00a0 San Jiao Divergent Channel<\/b><\/p>\n

\"Figure<\/a>

Figure 6. San Jiao Divergent Channel<\/p><\/div>\n

The San Jiao Meridian has a branch which connects to Du 20 (Bai Hui or Hundred Convergences), from which the San Jiao Distinct Meridian takes its origin.\u00a0 From there it descends behind the ear to SJ 16 (Tian You or Celestial Window), where it meets the Heart Divergent Meridian and also has a connection with the brain.\u00a0 Then, it descends through the supraclavicular fossa and penetrates the thorax to disperse into the Upper. Middle and Lower Jiaos.<\/p>\n

Its Access Point is SJ 16 and its Return Point is Du 20.<\/p>\n

(b)\u00a0<\/strong> Pericardium Divergent Channel<\/b><\/p>\n

It starts 5 cun below the axilla (1), while other sources (4) state the starting point as P 1 (Tian Chi or Celestial Pool).\u00a0 It travels to the chest, penetrating deeply and branches into two.\u00a0 The descending branch communicates with the Sanjiao.\u00a0 The ascending branch passes through the thorax, becoming superficial at the neck, and unites with the Divergent and Principal Meridians behind the ear at SJ 16.<\/p>\n

Its Access Point is P 1 and its Return Point is Du 20.<\/p>\n

This couplet influences the body\u2019s autonomic activities.\u00a0 The functions of the Pericardium\u00a0 are likened to those of the sympathetic nervous system, while the functions of the Sanjiao to those of the parasympathetic in (2).<\/p>\n

\u00a0\"Pericardium<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n

Figure 7. Pericardium Divergent Channel<\/b><\/p>\n

The Sixth Confluence<\/b>\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

(a)\u00a0 Large Intestine Divergent Channel<\/b><\/p>\n

It separates from the Large Intestine Meridian on the hand and ascends the arm to the shoulder to LI 15 (Jain Yu or Shoulder Bone) according to (1).\u00a0 However, in (4) this is its starting point.\u00a0 Two branches are formed at LI 15.\u00a0 One travels backward over the superior border of the scapula to meet the spinal column at Du 14 (Da Zhu or great Hammer).\u00a0 The other branch travels anteriorly to the chest, where it goes deep and branches into two.\u00a0 The descending branch penetrates the large intestine.\u00a0 The other branch ascends through the lungs to surface at the supraclavicular fossa at S 12 (Que Pen or Empty Basin).\u00a0 Then it passes up the side of the neck to LI 18 (Fu Tu or Protuberance Assistant), where it unites with the Large Intestine Meridian and the Lung Divergent Meridian.<\/p>\n

Its Access Point is LI 15 and its Return Point is LI 18.<\/p>\n

\"Large<\/a><\/p>\n

Figure 8. Large Intestine Divergent Channel<\/b><\/p>\n

(b)\u00a0\u00a0 Lung Divergent Channel<\/b><\/p>\n

It derives from the Lung Meridian in the axilla, runs anterior to the Pericardium Meridian into the chest, penetrates into the lungs and branches into two.\u00a0 One branch descends to penetrate the large intestine.\u00a0 The other ascends up the throat to LI 18, where it joins the Large Intestine Distinct Meridian.<\/p>\n

Its Access Point is L 1 (Zhong Fu or Central Residence or Central Treasury) and its Return Point is LI 18.<\/p>\n

\"Lung<\/a><\/p>\n

Figure 9. Lung Divergent Channel<\/b><\/p>\n

This couplet influences the associated respiratory contents of the thorax (the trachea, vocal cords, larynx, pleura, lung parenchyma and bronchi).\u00a0 Even though it passes through the large intestine, it has no influence on this organ.\u00a0 Clinically, this organ is affected by the Liver\/Gallbladder, Spleen\/Stomach and Kidney\/Bladder Distinct Meridian couplets.<\/p>\n

Non-acupuncturists can influence the Divergent Meridians using Tuina (6).\u00a0 Another possibility, instead of actual needling, is to follow the proper acupuncture protocol, but use the Qigong invisible needle technique, as described in (5).<\/p>\n

5.\u00a0 Use of the Divergent Meridians (2)<\/b><\/p>\n

The Distinct Meridians are not use to treat functional problems or energetic disturbances, but disorders of a material basis that can be detected by examination of biopsied tissues, laboratory specimens, x-ray or nuclear medicine studies.<\/p>\n

They can be used as a first approach to acute problems before surgical or pharmaceutical therapies are initiated, as an adjunct to the conventional treatment or after the medical treatment has failed.<\/p>\n

The rules for activating the Divergent Meridians are:<\/p>\n

(a)\u00a0 Needle the Access Points bilaterally on both the Yin and Yang Principal Meridians. \u00a0 (b)\u00a0 Needle the Return Point bilaterally on the Yang Principal Meridian. \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 (c)\u00a0\u00a0 Use Mu, Shu or local points to focus the energy flow to the desired anatomical region.<\/p>\n

The couplet pathway influences an anatomical region as much as it influences the two associated organs.\u00a0 In some couplets only one organ lies in the region of greatest influence.\u00a0 In others, both organs are in the anatomical region, but the influence of the Divergent Meridians on the region is greater than on the organs.\u00a0 Table 1 lists some conditions that can be treated by using the Divergent Meridian couplets.<\/p>\n

\"Slide1\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Table 1. Some Conditions Treated by the Distinct Meridian Couplets<\/strong><\/p>\n

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References<\/span>:<\/b><\/p>\n

1.\u00a0 Deadman, P., Baker, K. and (Author), Al-Khafaji, M.\u00a0 A Manual of Acupuncture.\u00a0 Eastland Press,\u00a0\u00a0 Vista, CA, 2007.
\n2.\u00a0 Helms, J. M.\u00a0 Acupuncture Energetics:\u00a0 A Clinical Approach for Physicians.\u00a0 Medical Acupuncture\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Publishers, Berkely, CA, 1995.
\n3.\u00a0 Maciocia, G.\u00a0 The Foundations of Chinese Medicine.\u00a0 Churchill Livingstone, New York, 1989.
\n4.\u00a0 Royston, L.\u00a0 The Secondary Vessels of Acupuncture.\u00a0 Thorsons, New York, 1983.
\n5.\u00a0 Johnson, J.A.\u00a0 Chinese Medical Qigong Therapy.\u00a0 Int. Institute of Medical Qigong, Pacific Grove, CA, 2000.
\n6.\u00a0 Isabella, N.\u00a0 http:\/\/www.point-to-point-acupuncture.com\/files\/Divergent_Meridians.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n

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