The 12 Primary Channels

Every one of the main channels that exist in the human body lies between two organs that represent the Yin and Yang balance that must exist for optimum health. Each channel has its own name and function. The corresponding organs include the Heart, Lungs, Stomach, Spleen, Kidneys, Large Intestine, Small Intestine, Bladder, Gallbladder, Pericardium, Liver, and a nonexistent organ called the San Jiao, which indicated some type of empty space or body cavity that she could flow through according to the traditional Chinese medical practitioners. They were also specifically associated with the hands and feet.

The paired organs or body systems linked with primary channels include:

• The Lung and Large Intestine
• The Spleen and Stomach
• The Heart and Small intestines
• The Kidneys and Bladder
• The Pericardium and San Jiao
• The Liver and Gallbladder

Each of these pairings list the organ most closely associated with the Yin prior to the one associated with the Yang. Besides the correlations between these two sides of the ultimate balance of life, they also have unique associations with the elements and essences that provide additional insight into the entire field of traditional Chinese medicine. These include things like metal, earth, fire, and water, seasons of the year, colors, emotions, and senses.

Because of the connections from one organ to the next, treating or otherwise stimulating one of them could affect the health of the other. Certain procedures or things like acupuncture are designed to prevent blockages of Qi, blood, or other essences from flowing sufficiently into the organs to maintain their optimum function.

Extraordinary Channels

If the primary channels or meridians act as the main canals that flow throughout the human body, the extraordinary ones are the branches that come out from them. These were not associated specifically with unique organs or body systems. Instead, they store blood and Qi to maintain balance in the larger ones and help to circulate Jing or the “genetic” essence that makes each person who they are and was given to them before they were born.

Divergent Channels

Although not a lot of information is known about the concept of divergent channels, some ancient sources point to an additional system of flow within the body that may have something to do with maintaining proper balance between the interior systems and senses or external forces. In many cases, they are described simply as part of the entire channel-collateral system that are influenced by the primary channels but do not truly perform any task specific to themselves.

These healthy Qi flow fixes are commonly done with the help of the following:

• Acupressure
• Acupuncture
• Therapeutic massage
• Cupping
• Heat therapy

The entire system of both channels and collaterals exists as a type of continuous cycle or clock where everything must flow properly and evenly for the entire thing to function as it is supposed to. If one thing is off-balance or out of whack, the entire health of the individual can break down. This can lead to something as seemingly innocuous as a headache or incredibly serious issues like cardiovascular disease and ultimately death.

How Were These Associations Made?

While the history of source material for traditional Chinese medicine is extensive, the main way that practitioners learned about all of this was through clinical observation and how their various therapies worked for the people who were exhibiting health problems. Just as all medical treatments come to be, TCM was developed over many years because it genuinely worked for the people receiving the care.

The concept of meridians in the body made logical correlations between different organs and the parts of the body that seem to affect them. If a person was experiencing a certain type of discomfort or distress, introducing pressure or heat on a related part of the body could alleviate it.

The Hierarchy of Collaterals in the Body

Just as there were primary and divergent channels in this entire system, there are also larger and smaller collaterals associated with different parts of the body. All told, there are 15 connecting collaterals that help to connect channels to each other and the interior systems of the body to external points or stimuli. There are also superficial collaterals that exist on the surface and finally the smallest ones as mentioned above.

15 Connecting Collaterals – These larger branches of the system lie inside the torso and also run up and down the arms and the legs. They are essential for flow of Qi between these parts of the body, the related organs in the channel system, and to serve specifically the left and right sides of the chest and abdomen.

12 Divergent Collaterals – These smaller branches of the system come out of the connecting collaterals and bring Qi into smaller parts of the body. They diverge from the larger ones near the knees and elbows, also spread out through the abdomen and chest, and travel up into the neck and head. They are also responsible for flow of blood and essences closer to the surface of the skin.

Although the comparison between the channel-collateral system and the physical circulatory or lymphatic systems seems simple and appropriate, it is important to remember that none of these things in traditional Chinese medicine are actually physical structures. No ancient physician dissected a human body and found a primary meridian or a divergent collateral anywhere inside.

Of course, there were scientists back then who did. Inside the mystery of the human body or they would not have known anything about the organs and their general function. Where did they come up with the concept of channels and collaterals then?

Since the entire practice of traditional Chinese medicine incorporates both the physical, the metaphysical, and the spiritual, it makes sense that they would have an understanding of body systems that serve all of these things. Today, we understand all the different things that are carried through the bloodstreams and the lymphatic system. For the early practitioners of TCM, their understanding of things like Qi, Xue or blood, Jinye or other bodily fluids, Jing or essence, and Shen or spirit was just as meaningful and detailed.

That brings to mind the ultimate question of whether the idea of channels and collaterals formulated by those ancient eastern practitioners can translate into beneficial health, well-being, or medical procedures today.

Acupressure is a type of therapy or physical service that includes a trained practitioner applying pressure to specific points associated with the channels and collaterals in your body. They frequently do this with their hands, elbows, or specific tools developed for the procedures.

Acupuncture targets the same spots in most cases. Instead of simply applying pressure, the practitioner taps a small needle into the skin.

While there are an amazing number of potential meridian points that can be used for acupressure or acupuncture, all of them are not usually use for patients. Some of the most common points include ones to help prevent aches and pains, nausea, headaches and migraines, and to alleviate stress and anxiety.

The theory behind these practices involves stimulating the channels or collaterals to prevent Qi blockages and to improve internal balance and flow. While there have been quite a few modern research studies that show benefits for various health complaints, no overreaching scientific proof exists that the traditional Chinese medicine concept of meridians, Qi, and essence flow contributes to serious health problems in any real way.

Still, from the earliest days of traditional Chinese medicine to the many people that still look for more natural and effective ways to deal with health complaints and imbalances, maintaining proper balance inside and outside of the body and improving the flow of energy to all organs and systems makes a lot of sense. While you may not find a definitive scientific research study, the anecdotal evidence from people who have been helped with these methods is extensive.