What is the meridian system?
A circuit of channels throughout the body where chi or universal energy flows.
How many meridians are there?
20 meridians
- 12 main
- 8 Major
How often does energy flow?
Energy is constantly flowing.
This one channel is broken up into different sections representing different organs of the body.
Do meridians only run down one side of the body?
Meridians are mirrored symmetrically on both sides of the body.
Are there any exceptions to meridians being mirrored on each side of the body?
Yes.
- the conception vessel runs down the centre of the front of the body
- the governing vessel runs down the back of the centre of the back of the body.
How many standard acupuncture points are there?
359
According to TMC (Traditional Chinese Medicine) how many acupuncture points are there in all?
About 2000
How are acupuncture points placed on the body?
All points are on the surface of the body and connected to various meridians
How was acupuncture developed?
Acupuncture was developed by meticulous and empirical observation
How old is acupuncture thought to be?
over 2000 years old
Explain the premise of acupuncture.
It's an incredibly complex system where each point is considered to have a different impact on the energy that passes though it, influencing internal organs and the balance of energies in the body.
How do acupuncture points work?
Acupuncture points are like amplifiers along a power cable & meridians are like the electrical conductors carrying messages around the body.
When the flow of messages is weakened or interrupted, what happens?
When the flow of messages is weakened or interrupted, the imbalance shows up as dis-ease
What is the base of Western medicine?
Western medicine is chemically-based.
What has Western medicine now widely accepted?
Western medicine has now widely accepted that the entire nervous system works on electrical impulses and the electrical field is intimately linked to the healing process.
What does EFT tapping do?
Tapping on the meridians in EFT influences subtle electrical energy flow in the body leading to profound changes in emotional and physical health.
Define the purpose of acupuncture.
The purpose of acupuncture is to balance the opposing but interrelated forces of Yin & Yang
What is Yin & Yang?
Yin & Yang is the foundation of Chinese philosophy & culture
Where do we find Yin & Yang?
Everything in the universe is yin or yang, but nothing is completely yin or completely yang. Everything is in constant, dynamic flux.
Are yin & yang the same?
No. Yin & Yang are opposite but complimentary and one cannot exist without the other.
What is yin?
Yin is the female, passive, negative principle in nature.
What is yang?
Yang is the positive, active male principle in nature
Name things that are yin
Water
Space
contraction
night
moon
earth
darkness
blood
Name things that are yang
Fire
time
energy
expansion
day
sun
heaven
light
Qi (energy)
What does the yin/yang symbol represent?
yin/yang symbol represents the indivisible & harmonizing relationship between yin & yang.
The small dot in each side shows there is always yin present in yang and yang present in yin.
What happens when you cut a yin/yang symbol in half?
wherever you cut the circle in half, there will always be some yin and some yang.
How does yin/yang relate to medicine?
1 - Yin & Yang take into account mind, body, spirit and emotions in relations to everything else.
2 - Everything is connected to everything else and everything is energy
3 - Western medicine has a hard time with the concept of energy because it is mechanistic and reductionist. Most solutions in Western medicine are a chemical, "one size fits all" mentality
Explain four points about the meridian system
1 - each pathway is named after an organ
2 - each meridian has a partner meridian
3 - In each pair, one organ is hollow (yang) and the other is solid (yin)
4 - An organ is never completely yin or yang but will be predominantly one with at least and element of the other and the sum total of yin and yang will be in balance.
Where does the kidney meridian begin and end?
Runs from the soles of the feet up to the chest.
Where does the kidney meridian receive energy from and where does it send it to?
The kidney meridian receives energy from the bladder meridian and sends it to the pericarium
Kidneys are believed to be ____________________
Ministers of Power
What do kidneys store?
Kidneys are believed to store "jing" - the Chinese name for the essence that nourishes, powers and cools the body.
What do kidneys govern?
- Growth & Development
- reproductive functions
- aging process
- seat of courage & willpower
When kidney meridian is healthy and balanced, you'll have ________________
Willpower
When kidney meridian is out of balance, you'll have ________________
fear & paranoia
What are positive attributes of the kidney meridian?
- Wisdom
- Rationality
- clear perception
- gentleness
- self-compassion
What are negative attributes of the kidney meridian?
- muddled thinking
- depression
- poor memory
- loneliness
- insecurity
- trauma/shock
Trauma begins in the __________ and descends to the __________ to be expressed as ___________
Trauma begins in the heart and descends to the kidneys to be expressed as fear
Name the attributes of color, element, season, flavor and time associated with the kidney meridian.
blue, water, winter, salt, 5pm-7pm
Where can you tap to stimulate the kidney meridian?
Hollow of the collarbone (K27)
Where is the exit point of the kidney meridian?
K27 (hollow of the clavical/collarbone)
What effect does stimulating the K27 have?
- increases energy & focus
- heal thyroid
- heal adrenal glans imbalances
Stress & exhaustion can cause the ______ _______ to run __________. This makes the energy system ___________ and tapping helps to _________ the natural _________ of the energy.
Stress & exhaustion can cause the energy system to run backwards. This makes the energy system chaotic and tapping helps to restore the natural direction of the energy.
Karate chop point is related to which meridian?
Small intestine meridian
Karate chop point resolves and supports:
Resolves:
- psychological reversal
- inability to let go or change
- sadness
- vulnerability
- anxiety
- obsessions & compulsions
Supports:
- ability to move forward
- connection with present
- letting go of old patterns & grief
Eyebrow point is connected with which meridian(s)?
Bladder meridian
Stomach meridian
Eyebrow point point resolves and supports:
Resolves:
- frustration
- shock
- sorrow
- impatience
- agitation
- fear
- anxiety
- hopelessness
Supports:
- peace and hope
Side of eye point is related to which meridian(s)?
Triple warmer meridian
Gall bladder meridian
Small intestine meridian
Side of eye point resolves and supports:
Resolves:
- rage
- anger
- resentment
-fear of change
- muddled thinking
- judgement and attitude
Supports:
- clarity
- compassion
- tolerance
- kindness
Under the eye point is associated with which meridian?
Stomach meridian
Under the eye point resolves and supports:
Resolves:
- fear
- anxiety
- meaninglessness
- obsessive worry
- nervousness
- disappointment
Supports:
- contentment
- calm
- security
Under the nose point associated with which meridian?
Governing meridian
Large intestine meridian
Under the nose point resolves and supports:
Resolves:
- embarrassment
- powerlessness
- shame
- guilt
- grief
- fear of failure
- the need to control or hold on
- psychological reversals
Supports:
- self-acceptance
- self-empowerment
- compassion for self & others
Chin point is associated with which meridian?
Central or Conception Meridian
Stomach Meridian
Chin point resolves and supports:
Resolves:
- confusion
- vulnerability
- uncertainty
- second-guessing
- shame
- embarrassment
Supports:
- clarity
- focus
- security
- confidence
- self-acceptance
- the feeling of being grounded
Collar bone point is associated with which meridian?
Kidney Meridian
Collar bone point resolves and supports:
Resolves:
- psychological reversal
- feeling stuck
- indecision
- worry
- general stress
Supports:
- ease in moving forward
- confidence
- clarity
Underarm point is associated with which meridian?
Spleen meridian
Underarm point resolves and supports:
Resolves:
- guilt
- worry
- obsessing
- hopelessness
- insecurity
- inability to assimilate
- poor self-esteem
Supports:
- clarity
- Confidence
- relaxation
- self-compassion
- compassion for others
Top of head point is associated with which meridian?
Resolves:
-inner critic
- monkey mind that produces scattered thinking & lack of focus
Supports:
- reconnecting spiritually
- insight
- intuition
- focus
- wisdom
- spiritual discernment
- clarity
- consolidation of new learning