"Every journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." The feet are an important organ of the human body, bearing the entire weight of the body and constantly moving throughout the day. Therefore, the feet are closely related to overall health.
The human body is like a computer. It not only needs hardware but also requires an "information" pathway to connect the body's qi, organs, limbs, and surface. This "information" pathway is the meridian system. The feet are one of the key areas of the meridian system, with over 60 acupoints distributed on both feet. Let's take a look at the meridians that start or end in the feet, and their relationship to human health.
1. Yangming Stomach Meridian
The Yangming Stomach Meridian has 45 acupoints on each side, including 5 acupoints on the feet, ending at the outer end of the second toe. As the name suggests, the Yangming Stomach Meridian corresponds to the stomach and is closely related to the digestive system. It is the main meridian for treating digestive system disorders such as abdominal pain, bloating, stomach pain, and vomiting.
2. Taiyin Spleen Meridian
The Taiyin Spleen Meridian has 21 acupoints on each side, starting at the tip of the big toe. The spleen governs transformation and plays an important role in maintaining digestive function and converting food into qi and blood. Therefore, the Spleen Meridian has a therapeutic effect on symptoms such as abdominal distension, loose stools, diarrhea, stomachache, belching, body heaviness, pale complexion, and leg swelling.
3. Taiyang Bladder Meridian
The Taiyang Bladder Meridian has 67 acupoints on each side (a total of 134 acupoints on both sides), including 8 acupoints on the outer part of the feet. The endpoint is Zhiyin on the outer side of the little toe. As the name suggests, the Taiyang Bladder Meridian is the main meridian for urinary and reproductive system disorders. Conditions such as enuresis, urinary retention, and lower back pain can be relieved by stimulating the Taiyang Bladder Meridian.
4. Shaoyin Kidney Meridian
The Shaoyin Kidney Meridian starts below the little toe and enters the heel diagonally from the Yongquan acupoint on the foot sole. The Shaoyin Kidney Meridian corresponds to the kidneys, which are the foundation of innate vitality, reproductive ability, and sexual function.
If the Kidney Meridian is blocked, it can cause symptoms such as lumbago, sore knees, dizziness, edema, and decreased urine output. In addition, disorders of the reproductive system such as cold uterus, irregular menstruation, urinary and reproductive system infections, impotence, and nocturnal emission can be improved by stimulating the Shaoyin Kidney Meridian.
5. Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian
The Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian has 44 acupoints on each side, with the endpoint being the Gallbladder Point on the outer side of the fourth toe. We often neglect the maintenance of the Gallbladder Meridian. However, if the Gallbladder Meridian is blocked, it can cause various symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, disharmony between the liver and spleen, intercostal neuralgia, irregular menstruation, endocrine disorders, and menopausal syndrome.
6. Jueyin Liver Meridian
The Jueyin Liver Meridian starts at the outer side of the end of the big toe with the acupoint Dadun. Although it has fewer acupoints (only 14 on each side), it not only corresponds to the liver but also connects with the gallbladder, lungs, stomach, kidneys, and brain. If the Liver Meridian has problems, it can lead to gynecological diseases, menopausal syndrome, chronic liver diseases, and reproductive system disorders.
The meridians carry a continuous flow of "qi" and have the ability to interact and transmit signals, making the human body a complete and organic whole. Although each meridian corresponds to specific organs, such as the Yangming Stomach Meridian corresponding to the stomach and the Shaoyin Kidney Meridian corresponding to the kidneys, the relationships between meridians are inseparable. Any abnormality in one part of the body can affect the changes in the interplay and regulation between organs. This is why traditional Chinese medicine treats certain diseases by not only targeting the corresponding meridian acupoints but also stimulating other meridians and acupoints. It is also the reason why problems in one organ can lead to diseases in other systems. For example, if the Spleen Meridian is blocked and the spleen's transforming function is impaired, the uterus may not receive sufficient nourishment, leading to irregular menstruation and incomplete development.
It is evident that the meridians are closely related to overall health. "Just as a tree's roots are vital for its survival, a person's feet are vital for their well-being." As one of the key areas of the meridian system, the feet play a particularly important role in maintaining human health.
