Traditional Channel Theory

“Channels and Collaterals” (Jing and Luo) are the pathways of Qi and blood. The Channel doctrine is one of the essential theories of Chinese medicine. It is a theory about the physiological function and the pathological changes of the channel systems and its relationship to the Zangfu (internal organs). It has played an important part in Chinese medical practice for many years, especially in acupuncture and moxibustion.

Section 1
Definition of Channels and Collaterals

“Channels and Collaterals” (Jing and Luo) are the pathway of Qi and blood.

Jing and Luo are the general name for the Channels and Collaterals system.

Channels are the main routes where Qi and blood circulate, while Collaterals are the branches of Channels. Channels and Collaterals spread all over the interior body. They connect interiorly with internal organs and with limbs, and communicate Qi blood and body fluid. Thus they make the whole body into an entity.

The names of Channels and Collaterals are defined in terms of the theory of Yin and Yang and in combination with Zangfu (internal organs) and different parts of limbs. There are five Zang organs and six Fu organs. The former includes liver, heart (pericardium), spleen, lung, kidney. They relate to Yin. The latter is composed of the gall bladder, stomach, large intestine, small intestine, sanjiao, and urinary bladder. All of them relate to Yang. Every Channel, which respectively comes from different Zang or Fu organs, distributes in the internal or external side of limbs. The Channels are also known as twelve regular Channels or twelve
Jing Mai. They originate directly from the Zangfu (internal) organs and play an essential role. Yin and Yang may be divided into three stages according to their changes. Shaoyin means that Yin initiates; Taiyin indicates that Yin is flourishing; Jueyin means that the Yin is at the final stage of its development; Shaoyang Means that Yang initiates; Yangming means that Yang is flourishing; Taiyang means Yang is at the final stage of its development. Thus the Yin Channels are classified into Shaoyin, Taiyin and Jueyin, the Yang Channels into Shaoyang, Yangming and Taiyang. The six channels of Yin and Yang combining with hand and foot make up the twelve Regular Channels. That is called fourteen Channels, adding the Du meridian and Ren meridian. Besides, there is Qijing, which are also called the Eight Extra Channels.

Section 2
Composition of the Channel System

The Channel system consists of Jing Mai (the Channels) and Luo Mai (the Collaterals). It spreads all over the body by its main trunk and its branches. The main routes are known as Jing Mai. It generally ranges from top to bottom and has certain number names and circulating routes. Jing Mai usually lies in deep tissue. The Collaterals are the branches of Jing Mai. Sun Luo (Sun Mai) is in large quantities, which are the peripheral branches in the Channel system and are countless. They distribute all over the body.

The simple routes of the twelve Channels are described in the following:

1. The Three Yin Channels of the Hand

These Channels originate from the chest and pass through the internal sides of upper limbs (the anterior Channels is known as Tai Yin channel, the middle as Jueyin, and the posterior as Shaoyin), and then they terminate at the end of fingers.

2. The Three Yang Channels of the Hand

They originate from the fingers and go through the external sides of upper limbs (the anterior Channel is known as Yangming Channel, the side of the body as Shao Yang and the posterior as Taiyang). They pass through shoulder, neck, and then end at the face.

3. The Three Yang Channels of the Foot

They originate from the head and pass through the body (the anteriority is known as Yangming Channel, the side of the body as Shaoyang, and the posterior as Taiyang), then go through the external and posterior sides of lower limbs, and finally terminate at the foot.

4. The Three Yin Channel of the Foot

They originate from the foot, and pass through the internal sides of the lower limb (the anteriority Channels are known as Tai Yin Channel, the middle as Jueyin, and the posterior as Shaoyin), and then the Channels go through the abdomen and terminate in the chest.

The twelve Channels are known as the regular Channels. The other ones are Qijing, which are also called as Eight Extra Channels. They consist of Du meridian, Ren meridian, Chongmai, Daimai, Yinweimai, Yangweimai, Yinqiaomai, and Yangqiaomai. These channels mainly distribute over chest and abdomen.

Section 3
Function of the Channels

Channels and Collaterals are the passages through which Qi and blood circulate the Viscera and the limbs are connected. Thus, the Channels play an important role in physiology, pathology, diagnosis, treatment, drugs and prescriptions.

1. The Physiological Function of the Channels

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