The meridians are the general term for the meridians and collaterals. They are the meridians that run through the body, connect the organs, communicate internally and externally, and penetrate up and down. Below is a detailed explanation of the direction and function of the twelve meridians.
The Path of the Twelve Meridians
The names of the twelve meridians are based on the yin and yang attributes of the organs they are connected to, as well as their location on the surface and interior, upper and lower extremities. For example, the meridians that belong to the six fu organs and run along the outer sides of the limbs are called yang meridians; the meridians that belong to the six zang organs and run along the inner sides of the limbs are called yin meridians; the meridians that run through the hands are called hand meridians, and the meridians that run through the feet are called foot meridians.
The three yang meridians of the hand all run from the hand to the head, while the three yin meridians of the hand all run from the chest to the hand.
The three yang meridians of the foot all run from the head to the foot, while the three yin meridians of the foot all run from the foot to the chest and abdomen.
Enhancing Heart Function
Long-term stimulation of meridian acupoints can develop a strong heartbeat, delay heart aging, dilate coronary arteries, increase blood flow, promote the absorption of blood oxygen and nutrients, provide sufficient nutrition to the heart, and thus prevent coronary heart disease, vascular diseases, muscle stiffness, numbness, spasms, and pain.
Regulating Nervous Function
Stimulating the acupoints along the twelve meridians can improve the excitation and inhibition processes of the cerebral cortex, relieve brain tension and fatigue, regulate the secretion of insulin and adrenaline, lower blood sugar, and prevent and treat diabetes and obesity.
Enhancing Immune Function
Stimulating the acupoints along the twelve meridians can accelerate blood circulation, increase metabolism, promote digestion, absorption, and nutrient metabolism, maintain the elasticity of lung tissue, improve lung capacity, and enhance the body's defense against diseases.
Reducing Inflammation, Swelling, and Pain
Massaging the acupoints along the twelve meridians or using moxibustion can promote blood circulation, dilate capillaries at the massaged areas, promote the absorption of inflammatory exudates, and dissipate local edema and congestion. Massage can reduce the brain cortex's perception of pain, thus providing analgesic effects.
Reducing Fat Accumulation
By correctly stimulating the acupoints along the twelve meridians, the capillaries on the body surface can dilate, increase the supply of nutrients to the skin, enhance skin elasticity and smoothness, reduce wrinkles, gradually improve the appearance of loose and dry skin, improve the secretion of sweat glands and sebaceous glands on the skin surface, reduce fat accumulation in the body, and convert excess fat into heat, thus achieving weight loss.
The Main Functions of the Twelve Meridians
Using acupoint massage, acupuncture, moxibustion, cupping, and scraping to stimulate the acupoints can clear the meridians, harmonize yin and yang, nourish qi and blood, promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis, relieve spasms, reduce swelling and pain, dispel wind and dampness, warm the meridians, and achieve the effects of restoring organ functions, strengthening the body, preventing and treating diseases, and prolonging life.
