Acupuncture Channels: What are they?
Acupuncture channels (or meridians) are pathways which are located superficially to the skin. Covering most of the body, they are found on the head and torso as well as the arms and legs. All the channels connect sequentially end on end to form a closed loop circuit. The channels are said to be the pathways through which qi (energy) and blood move above about the body. It is said to take 24 hours to complete one full circuit of all the channels.
The acupuncture channels are also considered to have a protective function. They prevent pathogenic factors such as wind, cold, heat, damp, fire and dryness from invading the body. Although they are only superficially located, they are found at a range of depths. If the channels are able to repel or limit a pathogen to the more superficial channels, then the condition caused by that pathogen will be less serious. If the pathogen is able to penetrate to the deep channels, then the pathogen will be able to cause symptoms of a more serious nature.
The channels respond to dysfunctions within the body in a number or ways. These include:
- a) trauma to the body affecting a channel, can in turn, cause a disease;
- b) a disease affecting an organ can be reflected in the channel related to that organ;
- c) a disease can move from one organ to another via the channels;
- d) the channels can visibly show disease, eg discolouration on the skin along the pathway of the channel.
