What is the concept of meridians?

Meridians refer to the unified term for jingmai (meridians) and luomai (collaterals). From the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, meridians are a particularly important part of the human body structure. Meridians are like longitude and latitude lines on a map, running throughout various parts of the body like a network. Together with collaterals, they form a unique meridian system.

1. As stated in the book "Lingshu Jingmai": "Meridians internally belong to the internal organs and externally connect with the limbs and joints." Meridians are the channels for the circulation of qi and blood in the human body. They communicate the inside and outside, connect the upper and lower parts, link the limbs, five senses, nine orifices, and bones and muscles, thus connecting all organs and tissues of the body into an organic whole.

2. The meridian theory is combined with the theory of internal organs to jointly explain various physiological functions and pathological changes of the human body. It also elaborates on the relationship between meridians and internal organs, internal organs and acupoints on the body surface or certain parts of the body surface. Clinically, acupuncture point selection, acupuncture techniques, meridian diagnosis, syndrome differentiation and meridian attribution, massage, acupressure, qigong, and other therapies are all based on the meridian theory.

3. As stated in the book "Lingshu Jingbie": "The twelve meridians are the basis of human life and the cause of disease; they are the key to treating illnesses and the starting point of learning; they are also the end of a doctor's practice." It can be seen that the meridian theory is a particularly important basic theory.