What are the Acupuncture Channels?
A dive into the various acupuncture channels and their significant role in medicine and our lives.
The following article will break down and identify the layering of channels within the body.
I know energy moving through channels in the body sounds illusive at first, but the acupuncture channels are a real, somatic phenomenon that integrate our physical and emotional bodies with our external environments.
They are an interwoven network that facilitates physiological change by responding to external and internal stimuli. They are tangible pathways that can be felt with your fingertips, and changes within them can be palpated and identified. They are also a communication system that link the organs together and the body to qi in our external environment (Wang and Robertson).
Channel theory is at the core of acupuncture. The acupuncture points lying within specific channels are directly stimulated by acupuncture needles.
“If the channel system is unable to properly respond to or integrate changes in the internal and external environments - which may include changes in air pressure and temperature, as well as changes in organ metabolism or even social conditions - disease or discomfort will ensue” (Wang and Robertson).
The channels function to
Transport qi and blood throughout the body and render the body an integrated whole
Protect the body
Respond to dysfunction in the body
Transmit qi to the diseased area
Below are the various channels from the most superficial to the deepest layers of the body
Cutaneous regions
The cutaneous regions are the superficial skin regions that overlap the primary channels. They protect the body from exogenous pathogenic factors and can manifest disorders of the deep lying channels through lesions, sensations, or discoloration.
Minute collaterals
These are small blood vessels that can be seen on the surface of the body. They nourish areas of the body that are not directly in contact with the deeper channels.
Sinew channels
These channels are associated with the pathways of musculature in accordance with the specific primary channels. They are often called the myofascial tracts and can be needled in sore points called Ahshi points. These are the channels that trigger point or dry needling can be applied.
Luo-connecting channels
These channels connect and strengthen the internally and externally paired channels and organs. For example the Lung and Large Intestine organs and channels are intimately linked by the lung being the internal organ to the paired external Large intestine organ.
Primary channels
These are the main acupuncture channels that run bilaterally along the body. They each correspond to a specific body organ.
Divergent channels
The divergent channels act on a deeper level than the primary channels but are still connected to them. They allow for the primary channels to connect over wider spans of the body. So for example, the urinary bladder primary channel does not traverse the rectal region, but the urinary bladder divergent channel does. These deeper channels create more connections in the body which explain the wider connections of each channel.
Extraordinary channels
These channels are defined as reservoirs of qi and blood for the primary channels. They also link the twelve channels to one another furthering the deep interrelated connections of the channels.
Acupuncture utilizes these channels to access qi at specific acupuncture points on the channel. Each point has a different function and is used for various indications.
For example Lung 5 (Chize - Cubit Marsh) is located on the lung channel at the elbow next to the biceps brachii tendon. It’s used for many health issues including coughing and weezing, fullness of the chest, elbow and shoulder pain, and low back pain to name just a few.
Acupuncture channel theory was developed through a long history of internal body observation and experience in manipulation and stimulation of points on the body. Just as Modern science has the nervous system and circulatory system mapped out, Chinese Medicine has mapped out the channel system that connects the fascia, musculotendon system, nervous and circulatory system as an integrated whole.
The Circulatory system defines the pathways that blood travels throughout the body.
In Chinese Medicine, qi and blood influence one another. Acupuncture influences blood circulation.
Channel theory is one core aspect of acupuncture, and acupuncture is an amazing body of knowledge that has stood the test of time. It can benefit many people seeking healthcare for various issues.
However, acupuncture is just one aspect of Chinese Medicine that has many ways to naturally treat and heal you. Along with acupuncture we use Chinese Herbal medicine, Tui Na bodywork, Gua Sha, and cupping to address your health needs.
Resources:
A Manual of Acupuncture by Peter Deadman, Mazin Al-Khafaji, and Kevin Baker
