Meridians and Ki
Ki
The concept
of Ki (Ki in Japanese and Qi or Chi in Chinese) has existed in Eastern cultures
for thousands of years and is fundamental to Oriental medical thinking.
Everything
in the universe, organic and inorganic, is composed of and defined by its
Ki. Ki is the life force or vital energy, the primary substance of the universe.
Oriental thought
does not distinguish between matter and energy and Ki can be seen as matter
on the verge of becoming energy, or energy at the point of materializing.
Within the
body Ki circulates in the meridians and is associated with activity, protection
and warmth. Each organ has its own particular quality of Ki.
In Oriental
medicine harmony of Ki within the human body is essential to health and
in treatment the emphasis is on restoring harmony to the Ki in the body.
Meridians
Meridians are
channels or energy pathways that carry Ki throughout the body. The Meridian
system comprises an invisible web or network that links together all the
internal organs.
There are twelve
primary Meridians each supplying energy to a specific organ. The name for
each Meridian is derived from the organ to which it is connected.
Meridians connect
the interior of the body with the exterior and flow near the surface in
pathways on the sides of the head, trunk, back and along the limbs. Nearly
all of the 365 classical Acupuncture points are found along the twelve primary
Meridians.
Yin:
Lung, Spleen, Heart, Kidney, Heart Protector and Liver.
Yang:
Large Intestine, Stomach, Small Intestine, Bladder, Triple Heater and Gall
Bladder.
(Click the
links above to learn more about meridians)
