Japanese Meridian Energetics: an introduction
By Robert Hayden, L.Ac. , all materials copyright 1999
The Meridian System
The Meridian system is composed of five basic levels:
The MAIN MERIDIANS, which are the twelve bilateral pathways named for the Zang-Fu on which the bulk of the acupuncture points commonly studied are located. There are various ways in which to organize and classify these meridians, such as Five-Phase, Three-Yin-Three-Yang, or Midnight-Noon principles. They have a variety of functions, but the most important is the function of connecting the Zang-Fu with each other and the rest of the body.
The EXTRAORDINARY VESSELS, which are the deepest of the body’s energetic pathways, associated with structural balance (bone level), constitution and general functional regulation. They are separate from the main meridians, though they intersect the main meridians at a number of points.
The MERIDIAN SINEWS, which are the most superficial pathways of the system, associated with movement, muscle balance and defense. They too are separate from the main meridians, though they intersect the main meridians at the Jing-Well points.
The NETWORK VESSELS, which branch off from the main meridians and run to the surface of the skin as well as connecting paired main meridians. They may be considered as superficial branches of the main meridians.
The DIVERGENT MERIDIANS, which branch off from the main meridians and connect paired meridians at a deep level as well as strengthening the connection between Yin main meridians and the head. They may be considered deep branches of the main meridians.
A schematic of the Meridian system might look something like this:
The Meridian levels at which we will be working are the first three mentioned here: the Main meridians, the Extraordinary Vessels and the Meridian Sinews. The Network and Divergent levels function largely as branches of the main meridians and can be influenced to some extent by treating the other three levels.
In addition to the three (superficial, organ and bone) levels, another level will be taught: this is the level of the undifferentiated whole (Taiji or Taikyoku), which can be employed either for general systems regulation before any pathology affects the body, or when the pathology is too extensive and difficult to isolate to one level or one meridian.
All of these Meridian systems are mentioned in the earliest classics, but details of their treatment varies from extensive to sketchy. Much has been written about the meridian systems since then and much more has undoubtedly been lost over the milennia since the Huang Di Nei Jing was compiled. At various times during the history of acupuncture, revivalist movements have sprung up attempting to codify diagnostic and treatment techniques to effectively treat these pathways. The methods taught in this class represent one such revival which began in Japan in the early 20th century.
Japanese acupuncture and moxibustion
Acupuncture originally arrived in Japan by way of Korea sometime around 700. A variety of sociocultural and environmental conditions led to the development of some uniquely Japanese ideas which were intermingled with classical Chinese and later Western influences.
By the end of the 19th century, Western influence was so powerful that traditional medicine based on the classics was banned and forced underground. In the 20th century revivalist movements of herbalists, acupuncturists and bodywork therapists began to appear, reconstructing the classics and interpreting them according to their contemporary experience. Among acupuncturists, the work of the moxibustionist Ken Sawada and the acupuncturist Sorei Yanagiya were particularly inspirational. These two developed their own separate schools which later influenced each other: Sawada’s school based on whole-body treatment and Yanagiya’s school based on Five-Phase pulse diagnosis. Years later, the work of the brilliant surgeon-acupuncturist Yoshio Manaka would revive interest in Extraordinary Vessel and Channel Sinew treatments. It is on the work of these pioneers and their students that the present classes is based.
As early as the 17th century, Japanese acupuncturists had developed a reputation for skillful, painless needling; the invention that made these techniques possible was the insertion tube of the blind acupuncturist Waichi Sugiyama. Sugiyama was also the first to convince the Japanese emperor to use acupuncture and bodywork as a means to employ the blind, and training schools were instituted for this purpose which survive to this day. These two influences of painless technique and blind practitioners have served as some characteristic differentiations of Japanese styles from other styles in Asia.
The evolution of classical acupuncture in Japan over the last century has been toward more and more subtle palpation and treament techniques which have resulted in less and less emphasis on the need for penetration of needles into the skin. Several major acupuncture associations (to which belong hundreds of successful practitioners) in Japan have made an art of using various tools and techniques which do not involve breaking the skin surface but which nevertheless treat the deepest levels of the meridian system. It is from these very practitioners that I have learned these diagnostic and treatment methods. I have used them on a daily basis in the clinic for seven years and have found them remarkably effective. Needles may be used but are optional; most of the techniques rely on skillful palpation and application of moxibustion, magnets, and other interventions which make the use of needles unnecessary in achieving optimal results.
Feedback
The key to these methods is choosing the right meridian system and using the proper diagnostic and treatment techniques. the means by which this is done involve the use of feedback systems and different technique modalities for each meridian level. Feedback systems are diagnostic criteria which are assessed before and after a certain technique is employed in order to gauge the appropriateness of the therapy and the degree of impact of the therapy on the presenting pathology. While a variety of methods can be used in theory, the ones I learned are the following:
Meridian Level Feedback System Modality
Main 1- Pulse (Yin-Yang & Five-Phase) Tonification & Dispersion 2- Channel & Hara palpation of Five-Phase points
Extra Vessels Hara palpation Polarity (magnets, etc)
Sinew Motion testing Moxibustion & stretching
Whole-Body ---- Moxibustion
Note that there is no feedback system listed for Whole-Body treatment; while diagnostic criteria exist for this treatment, it may be employed as a general wellness treatment in the absence of any pathology so feedback is not critical to its use in the clinic.
Class Objectives
The objectives of this series of classes are to introduce you to the three Meridian levels, the diagnostic and feedback system for each, and their corresponding therapeutic modalities. In addition, specific point locations for these techniques will be covered. Handouts such as this will be provided to give you the relevant information in text and graphic form.
What will be assumed on my part (i.e. what will not be covered) is basic knowledge of Chinese medical theory, such as: Yin-Yang, Five Phases, Eight Principles, Zang-Fu, Qi-Blood-Fluids, Six Evils, basic paths and functions of the 12 Main Meridians, basic point location, basic point categories, etc. If any of these are unfamiliar, then you might wish to refer to a standard textbook on Chinese Medicine of which there are many.
These ideas and techniques have come to me from a variety of well-respected teachers, but they are by no means the final word on this subject. I ask that you learn them as taught, and then use them flexibly in your practice as you see fit. Though they may seem subtle and difficult at first, after some time working with them I’m sure you will find these methods as useful as I have.