The Eight Extraordinary Meridians are a major remedy, treating a wide range of conditions. It is essential to understand the pathways, physiological functions, and eight representative acupuncture points of the Eight Extraordinary Meridians.
Eight Extraordinary Meridians
The Eight Extraordinary Meridians refer to the Ren (Renmai), Du (Dumai), Chong (Chongmai), Dai (Daimai), Yin Qiao (Yin Qiaomai), Yang Qiao (Yang Qiaomai), Yin Wei (Yin Weimai), and Yang Wei (Yang Weimai). Unlike the twelve regular meridians, they do not directly connect to the organs and do not have a paired relationship, hence their unique pathways are termed extraordinary meridians.
Functions include:
1. Connecting the twelve meridians;
2. Regulating the accumulation and distribution of qi and blood in the twelve meridians.
Eight Meridians
Ren Meridian: Runs along the midline of the abdomen, frequently intersecting with the three Yin meridians of the hands and feet as well as the Yin Wei Meridian, thus governing all Yin meridians in the body, hence called the “Sea of Yin Meridians.” The Ren Meridian originates from the uterus, relating to women’s pregnancy, hence the saying “Ren governs the uterus and fetus.”
Du Meridian: Runs along the midline of the back, frequently intersecting with the three Yang meridians of the hands and feet as well as the Yang Wei Meridian, thus governing all Yang meridians in the body, hence called the “Sea of Yang Meridians.” The Du Meridian runs along the spine, ascends into the brain, and branches out to the kidneys, closely linking with the brain, spinal cord, and kidneys.
Chong Meridian: Ascends to the head and descends to the feet, traversing the entire body; it is the crucial point for qi and blood, regulating the qi and blood of the twelve meridians, hence called the “Sea of Twelve Meridians” or “Blood Sea.” It is also related to women’s menstruation.
Dai Meridian: Originates from the lateral costal region, descends obliquely to the Dai point, encircling the body like a belt, restraining the meridians that run vertically.
Yin Qiao and Yang Qiao Meridians: “Qiao” implies agility and lightness. They nourish the eyes, control eyelid movements, and facilitate lower limb movements.
Yin Wei and Yang Wei Meridians: “Wei” implies connection. The Yin Wei Meridian functions to “connect all Yin”; the Yang Wei Meridian functions to “connect all Yang.”
Du Meridian Pathway and Physiological Functions
1. Pathway: The Du Meridian originates in the lower abdomen, exits at the perineum, travels to the tailbone at the Changqiang point, ascends along the spine, passes through the nape to the Fengfu point, enters the brain, belongs to the brain, ascends along the midline of the head to the Baihui point, descends from the forehead to the tip of the nose at the Suliao point, crosses the philtrum, and reaches the center of the upper gums at the Yinjiao point.
2. Branches: The first branch originates with the Chong and Ren meridians from the uterus, exits at the perineum, and meets the Kidney Meridian and Bladder Meridian at the tailbone, belonging to the kidneys. The second branch ascends directly from the lower abdomen through the navel, reaching the throat and meeting the Chong and Ren meridians, then encircles the lips and reaches the center below the jaw. The third branch originates from the inner canthus of the eye, ascends to the forehead, intersects at the crown, connects to the brain, then branches down the nape, along the inner scapula, and reaches the waist, entering the muscles on both sides of the spine, connecting with the kidneys.
Physiological Functions
1) Regulates Yang meridian qi and blood, being the “Sea of Yang Meridians”: The Du Meridian runs along the back, which is Yang, indicating that the Du Meridian has a commanding and supervising role over the qi of all Yang meridians. Additionally, all six Yang meridians intersect at the Dazhui point, indicating the Du Meridian’s regulatory role over Yang meridians, hence the saying “governs all Yang meridians in the body.” 2) Reflects the functions of the brain, kidneys, and spinal cord: The Du Meridian runs along the spine, connects to the brain, and also connects to the kidneys. The kidneys produce marrow, and the brain is the sea of marrow. The relationship between the Du Meridian and the brain, kidneys, and spinal cord is very close. 3) Governs reproductive functions: The Du Meridian connects with the kidneys, and since the kidneys govern reproduction, the Du Meridian is related to reproductive functions.
Ren Meridian Pathway and Physiological Functions
1. Pathway: The Ren Meridian originates from the uterus, exits at the perineum, travels through the Yin mound, ascends along the midline of the abdomen, passes through the throat (Tiantu point), reaches the inner lower lip, divides to encircle the lips, intersects at the Du Meridian’s Yinjiao point, and then ascends along the sides of the nose to the lower eye socket (Chengqi point), connecting with the Yangming Meridian of the foot. 2. Branches: It traverses from the uterus along the spine, ascending along the back.
Physiological Functions
1) Regulates Yin meridian qi and blood, being the “Sea of Yin Meridians”: The Ren Meridian runs along the midline of the abdomen, which is Yin, indicating that the Ren Meridian has a commanding role over the qi of all Yin meridians. Additionally, the three Yin meridians of the foot intersect with the Ren Meridian in the lower abdomen, and the three Yin meridians of the hand connect with the Ren Meridian through the three Yin meridians of the foot, thus the Ren Meridian regulates the qi and blood of Yin meridians, hence the saying “governs all Yin meridians.” 2) Regulates menstruation and nourishes the fetus: The Ren Meridian originates from the uterus, having the function of regulating menstruation and promoting women’s reproductive functions, hence the saying “Ren governs the uterus and fetus.”
Chong Meridian Pathway and Physiological Functions
Pathway: It originates from the uterus, exits at the perineum, and divides into two branches. The ascending branch (the main part of the Chong Meridian) runs along the anterior abdominal wall near the navel (five fen from the navel), ascends, parallels the Kidney Meridian, spreads in the chest, then ascends through the throat, encircling the lips; the descending branch exits the perineum and descends along the inner thigh to the big toe.
Physiological Functions
1) Regulates the qi and blood of the twelve meridians: The Chong Meridian ascends to the head and descends to the feet, traversing the entire body, serving as a crucial point for the qi and blood of all meridians. When the qi and blood of the meridians and organs are abundant, the Chong Meridian can store and accumulate; when they are deficient, the Chong Meridian can provide infusion and supplementation to maintain the normal physiological activities of the body’s tissues and organs. Hence, it is referred to as the “Sea of Twelve Meridians,” “Sea of Five Zang and Six Fu,” and “Blood Sea.” 2) Governs reproductive functions: The Chong Meridian originates from the uterus, also known as the “Blood Chamber” or “Blood Sea.” The Chong Meridian has a role in regulating menstruation. It is closely related to reproductive functions; for women, “when the Chong Meridian is abundant, menstruation occurs regularly, leading to conception.” Conversely, if the Chong Meridian is deficient, it can lead to reproductive dysfunction. 3) Regulates the ascending and descending of qi: The Chong Meridian connects with the Kidney Meridian, belongs to the Yangming, and connects with the Jueyin and Taiyang. The Chong Meridian has the function of regulating the ascending and descending of qi in certain organs (mainly the liver, kidneys, and stomach).
Dai Meridian Pathway and Physiological Functions
Pathway: The Dai Meridian originates from the lateral costal region, descends obliquely, intersects at the Dai point of the Gallbladder Meridian, encircles the body, and then descends along the upper edge of the hip bone to the lower abdomen.
Physiological Functions
Physiological function: Restrains the vertical flow of all meridians and governs women’s leukorrhea.
Yin Qiao Meridian Pathway and Physiological Functions
Pathway: The Yin Qiao Meridian originates from the inner side of the heel at the Zhaohai point of the Kidney Meridian, ascends through the inner ankle, along the inner thigh to the anterior genital area, ascends along the abdominal front to the chest, enters the Xuepen, ascends beside the Adam’s apple to the Ren Meridian’s Tian Tu point, reaches beside the nose, connects with the inner canthus of the eye, and ascends along with the Yang Qiao and Taiyang meridians.
Physiological Functions
Physiological function: Controls the opening and closing of the eyes and muscle movements.
Yang Qiao Meridian Pathway and Physiological Functions
Pathway: The Yang Qiao Meridian originates from the outer side of the heel at the Shenmai point of the Bladder Meridian, ascends along the outer ankle, travels up the outer side of the lower limb, along the hip, ribs, shoulder, neck, and reaches the inner canthus of the eye. It connects with the Bladder Meridian and Yin Qiao Meridian, then ascends along the Bladder Meridian to meet the Shaoyang Meridian at the Fengchi point behind the neck.
Physiological Functions
Physiological function: Controls the opening and closing of the eyes and muscle movements.
Yin Wei Meridian Pathway and Physiological Functions
Pathway: The Yin Wei Meridian originates from the Jizhu point, five cun above the inner ankle of the Kidney Meridian, ascends along the inner side of the lower limb to the abdomen, travels alongside the Spleen Meridian to the lateral costal region, connects with the Liver Meridian, ascends to intersect with the Tian Tu point of the Ren Meridian, and reaches the Lianquan point in the throat to meet the Ren Meridian at the neck.
Physiological Functions
Physiological function: The term “Wei” in Wei Meridian implies connection and support. The Yin Wei Meridian serves to connect and support the Yin meridians.
Yang Wei Meridian Pathway and Physiological Functions
Pathway: The Yang Wei Meridian originates from the Jimen point of the Bladder Meridian, passes over the outer ankle, ascends alongside the Shaoyang Meridian, travels up the outer side of the body, from the back of the armpit to the shoulder, along the neck, behind the ear, and moves forward to the forehead, distributing to the side of the head and back to the forehead, then meets the Du Meridian.
Physiological Functions
Physiological function: Supports the Yang meridians.Summary of the Characteristics of the Eight Extraordinary MeridiansThe physiological characteristics of the Eight Extraordinary Meridians are threefold: ① The Eight Extraordinary Meridians have no direct connection to the organs. ② There is no paired relationship among the Eight Extraordinary Meridians. ③ The distribution of the Eight Extraordinary Meridians is not as widespread as that of the twelve meridians; there are no distributions of the Eight Extraordinary Meridians in the upper limbs. Their pathways also differ from the twelve meridians, with all but the Dai Meridian running from bottom to top.Common Physiological Functions of the Eight Extraordinary Meridians 1. Further strengthen the connections between the twelve meridians: For example, the Du Meridian governs all Yang meridians; the Ren Meridian governs all Yin meridians; the Dai Meridian restrains the vertical flow of all meridians. The two Qiao meridians govern the Yin and Yang of the body; the two Wei meridians connect the Yin and Yang of the body. Thus, the Eight Extraordinary Meridians further enhance the connections among various parts of the body. 2. Regulate the qi and blood of the twelve meridians: When the qi of the twelve meridians is abundant, it is stored in the Eight Extraordinary Meridians; when the qi and blood of the twelve meridians are deficient, the Eight Extraordinary Meridians can “overflow” to provide timely supplementation. 3. The Eight Extraordinary Meridians are closely related to the liver, kidneys, and other organs, as well as to the uterus, brain, and marrow, having certain physiological and pathological connections among them.Eight Representative Acupuncture PointsThe Eight Extraordinary Meridians regulate the accumulation and distribution of qi and blood in the twelve meridians. Among the Eight Meridians, there are eight representative acupuncture points: Gongsun, Neiguan, Zuliqiao, Waiguan, Shenmai, Houxi, Lieque, and Zhaohai. The efficacy of each acupuncture point can be likened to a “nuclear reactor,” treating a wide range of conditions.
Neiguan Point: Nourishing Beauty and Heart
Many women between the ages of 40 and 50 often experience symptoms such as palpitations, shortness of breath, and profuse sweating.Hospitals may not identify any specific illness, often labeling it as menopausal syndrome or sub-health. In fact, according to ancient wisdom, women at this age are generally in a phase of decline, with aging beginning in the Yangming Meridian, gradually leading to a decline in the qi and blood of the three Yang meridians. The head is the meeting point of all Yang, and when qi and blood cannot reach the face, wrinkles and spots appear. A person’s beauty is closely related to qi and blood. The heart governs the spirit, and its radiance is reflected in the face. The spirit of the heart relies on qi and blood for nourishment; when qi and blood are sufficient, it naturally reflects on the face. Therefore, for women, nourishing beauty begins with nourishing the heart. The Neiguan point belongs to the Pericardium Meridian, connecting with the Yin Wei Meridian, and is one of the eight meeting points. The true efficacy of the Neiguan point lies in its ability to open the body’s internal mechanisms, benefiting qi and blood, calming the spirit, and nourishing beauty. The Neiguan point is easy to locate, situated two cun above the wrist crease on the inner side of the arm. When locating the point, make a loose fist and place it palm-up; use the index, middle, and ring fingers of the other hand to align with the wrist crease, and the point where the index finger presses is the Neiguan point. The health benefits of this point allow for easy and frequent self-massage, applying pressure until a slight soreness is felt.
Waiguan Point: The “Clever Ear Point”
Traditional Taoist medicine believes that temporary hearing issues are manifestations of insufficient Yang energy in the body. So, what role does the Waiguan point play in this context? Massaging the Waiguan point can invigorate the Yuan Yang energy of the Sanjiao, guiding the Yuan Qi to circulate throughout the body. When this point is blocked, it can lead to a relaxed and collapsed eardrum that fails to return to normal. Clinically, the Waiguan point can also be used to treat acute lumbar sprains. A patient around 40 years old experienced severe pain after bending down quickly to pick something up. After acupuncture and massage treatment, the pain completely disappeared within minutes, and normal movement was restored. The Waiguan point is a connecting point of the Sanjiao Meridian, located two cun above the wrist crease on the dorsal side, opposite the Neiguan point. The Waiguan point connects with the Yang Wei point, having the effects of dispelling exterior pathogens, relieving wind, and alleviating pain. It is not only effective for acute lumbar sprains but also has good effects on arthritis and cervical spondylosis.
Lieque Point: Special Treatment for Stiff Neck and Migraine
Stiff neck is an experience almost everyone has gone through, often causing significant discomfort. It can also be an early signal of cervical spine issues. If not addressed promptly, frequent stiff necks can lead to cervical spondylosis. The Lieque point has unique effects in preventing cervical spondylosis. On the human body, the Lieque point serves as a tool for repairing head-related ailments. The “Huangdi Neijing” records that the Lieque point primarily treats migraines, headaches, and stiff necks. In the “Great Compendium of Acupuncture and Moxibustion,” there is a well-known verse stating, “For neck and above ailments, seek the Lieque point.” This means that any issues above the neck can be treated and adjusted using this point. The Lieque point is easy to locate, situated 1.5 cun above the wrist crease on the radial side of the styloid process. When locating the point, cross the thumbs of both hands, and the depression reached by the index finger is the Lieque point. The technique for using the Lieque point mainly involves flicking.
Houxi Point: Treatment for Cervical and Lumbar Diseases
How to locate the Houxi point? Make a fist, and the point is located at the distal transverse crease of the fifth finger joint (the end of the transverse crease behind the fist). If you are sitting in front of a computer, you can place the Houxi points of both hands on the edge of the table, using the wrist joints to roll back and forth, achieving a stimulating effect. During the rolling, a slight soreness will be felt. Spending just three to five minutes daily on this can significantly benefit the cervical and lumbar spine.
Zhaohai Point: Treatment for Throat Pain
For throat pain, massaging the Zhaohai point can yield excellent results, as it belongs to the Yin Qiao Meridian and intersects with the Kidney Meridian, being one of the eight meeting points. It has the functions of nourishing the kidneys, clearing heat, and regulating the Sanjiao, providing both nourishment and heat-clearing effects. Sun Simiao in the “Essential Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold” referred to this point as “Liu Yin,” indicating that if there is an issue with this point, the body’s kidney water decreases, leading to kidney Yin deficiency and causing excessive heat to rise. Therefore, whenever we feel discomfort in the chest, dry throat, hoarseness, or even chronic pharyngitis, we can press this point, which not only nourishes the kidneys and clears heat but also ensures smooth functioning of the Sanjiao. To locate the point, align the soles of both feet, and there is a small depression below the inner ankle, which is where the point is located (see the image above). When massaging this point, it is important to keep the mouth closed and refrain from speaking, allowing the saliva to accumulate in the mouth, which should be swallowed. Generally, after pressing for 3 to 5 minutes, one will feel saliva in the throat, and the pain will quickly alleviate. Keeping the mouth closed is to facilitate the upward movement of the saliva to moisten the throat, which is what the ancients referred to as the method of swallowing saliva. Massaging the Zhaohai point stimulates the essence of the kidneys, promoting the upward movement of fluids to moisten the throat, and the deficiency heat is nourished by the kidney water, leading to the resolution of throat pain.
Shenmai Point: A Pure Yang Remedy for Cold Sensitivity
”Stiffness in the waist and back, leg pain” is a clear sign of the bladder meridian being affected by cold pathogens. Since the Yang Qiao connects with the Bladder Meridian, the Shenmai point is an important point of the Bladder Meridian. Using this point can dispel internal cold pathogens and promote Yang energy to reach the crown, balancing the body and allowing for agile movement. When combined with Xiao Qinglong Decoction, it achieves a synergistic effect. It helps expel cold pathogens from the body quickly while restoring one’s Yang energy, making it a remarkable point for dispelling cold and reviving Yang. The Shenmai point is a crucial intersection of the Yang Qiao and the Bladder Meridian, and it is also easy to locate, situated in the depression directly below the outer ankle bone. When the body is affected by cold pathogens, it tends to curl up and shiver, which in TCM is referred to as “contraction and pulling in.” The Shenmai point has the meaning of extending the meridians, quickly mobilizing the body’s Yang energy; when Yang energy is sufficient, cold pathogens will disperse.
Gongsun Point: Alleviating Dysmenorrhea and Spleen-Stomach Disorders
Gongsun is the connecting point of the Spleen Meridian, belonging to the spleen, linking with the stomach, and directly connecting with the Chong Meridian located in the chest and abdomen, thus having the effect of treating various disorders of the spleen and stomach. In medicine, it is believed that treating all gynecological diseases should start with the spleen and stomach, especially for menstrual irregularities, where the stomach should be prioritized. The spleen governs blood and is responsible for transformation. If the spleen and stomach are deficient and cold, they cannot transform and transport fluids, leading to dysmenorrhea, which may also be accompanied by symptoms such as vomiting, nausea, and headaches. Women with dysmenorrhea can frequently massage the Gongsun point. The Gongsun point is located on the inner edge of the foot; I generally consider the Gongsun point as a region, located behind the big toe, where there is a large metatarsal bone. Press along this bone on the inner side of the foot until you reach the point that feels most sore or tender; that is your personal Gongsun point.
Zuliqiao Point: Elevating the Body’s Shaoyang Qi
The Zuliqiao point is one of the main points on the Gallbladder Meridian, connecting with the Dai Meridian, and serves as a remarkable point for regulating two meridians. The Dai Meridian encircles the body like a belt, enhancing the connection of qi and blood flow between the meridians, making it a crucial health meridian. When using this point, a seated position with bent legs is recommended; it is located on the outer side of the foot, in the gap between the fourth and fifth metatarsal bones. The Zuliqiao point primarily elevates the body’s Shaoyang qi and alleviates the stagnation of liver and gallbladder qi. Regular pressing can yield better results than professional foot therapy.