Eight Extra Meridians
- run behind & interconnect 12 zang & fu meridians
- allow for broad/deep effects w/i body
- regulators of energy
- carriers of yuan qi
- Du & Re have their own points, others have master & coupled points on 12 zang & fu meridians
Du Mai Details
Names: Sea of Yang, Governing Vessel
Paired: Yang Qiao Mai
Master: SI 3
Coupled: UB 62
Luo: Du 1
Intersections: Re 1, UB 12
Areas of Effect: posterior midline (esp spine & brain), neck, shoulders, nervous & muscular sys
When Ill: back becomes stiff & will
Du Mai Fx
- increase yang energy
- send jing & fluids to spinal cord & brain
- controls wei qi & loss of body heat
Du Mai Indications
- KD & SP yang xu
- brain, marrow, spinal cord issues (pain, heaviness, stroke, psychological)
- other facial issues (HA, migraine, pain/swelling in face/head)
- rounded shoulders w/ head feeling heavy (Du xu)
- musculoskeletal rigidity & pain
- convulsio
Du Mai Pathway
Begins in KD
Emerges:
Re 1
Du 1
Du 4 (links w/ KD)
Du 12
UB 12
Du 13
Du 14 (all yang mai meet)
Du 16 (brain)
Du 20 (most yang point)
Du 28
Yang Qiao Mai Details
Names: Yang Motility, Yang Heel
Paired: Du Mai
Master: UB 62
Coupled: SI 3
Xi-cleft: UB 59
Intersections: UB 1, UB 59, UB 61, UB 62, GB 20, GB 29, SI 10, LI 15, LI 16, ST 1, ST 3, St 4
Areas of Effect: back, neck, shoulder, inner canthus, nervous & muscul
Yang Qiao Mai Fx
- resolve issues of eyes/face, esp inner canthus
- regulates lateral aspect of lower leg
Yang Qiao Mai Indications
- redness/swelling of eyes & face, esp inner canthus
- HA
- numbness/weakness/spasms of back & lateral aspect of lower limbs
- excess yang
- insomnia
- joint problems
Yang Qiao Mai Pathway
Originates at UB 62 and travels behind the heel to UB 61. Continues up calf to UB 59, up lateral aspect of leg to GB 29, then up to scapular region at SI 10. Continues to LI 15 & LI 16 then travels to face & connects w/ ST 4, ST 3, ST 1, and UB 1. Travels
Ren Mai Details
Names: Conception Vessel, Directing Vessel, Sea of Yin
Paired: Yin Qiao Mai
Master: LU 7
Coupled: KD 6
Luo: Re 15
Intersections: ST 1, Du 28
Areas of Effect: face, thorax, abdomen, genitals, throat, chest, lungs, endocrine/urinary/digestive sys
When Ill:
Ren Mai Fx
- influences the yin, essence, and fluids
- regulates menstrual & reproductive fx
- regulates sexual desire & fx
- regulates digestion
Ren Mai Indications
- irregular menses
- leukorrhea
- infertility
- hernia
- nocturnal emissions
- impotence
- enuresis
- urine retention
- pain in genitals, epigastric region, lower abdomen
- gastrointestinal issues
Ren Mai Pathway
Originates at Ming Men and passes through uterus (if present) to emerge at Re 1. Connects internally w/ SP, LV, & KD meridians. At Re 24 a second branch rises upward, encircles the mouth then rises to the eyes at ST 1 and then passes into the eyes. Meets
Yin Qiao Mai Details
Names: Yin Motility, Yin Heel
Paired: Ren Mai
Master: KD 6
Coupled: LU 7
Xi-cleft: KD 8
Intersections: KD 6, KD 8, UB 1
Areas of Effect: medial aspect of lower extremities, genitals, abdomen, eyes, throat, chest, lungs, nervous/musculoskeletal/digestive/r
Yin Qiao Mai Fx
- controls ascent of fluids & descent of qi
- regulates movement of body
Yin Qiao Mai Indications
- movement issues, cold or weakness in lower limbs
- muscle tightness in medial lower legs
- digestive & abdominal issues
- urogenital problems, esp retention of urine & difficulty urinating
- qi & xue zhi in genitals
- miscarriage
- infertility
- difficu
Yin Qiao Mai Pathway
Originates at KD 2, travels upward to emerge at KD 6 then to KD 8. Continues up medial aspect of lower leg to inguinal region, enters the genitals. Travels up the anterior abdomen and chest to ST 12, travels to ST 9 and along the cheek to UB 1. Rises upwa
Chong Mai Details
Names: Penetrating Vessel, Sea of Blood
Paired: Yin Wei Mai
Master: SP 4
Coupled: PC 6
Intersections: KD 11-21, Re 1
Areas of Effect: abdomen, thorax, genitals, HT, inner thigh, reproductive/digestive/respiratory sys
When Ill: influences become rebellious
Chong Mai Fx
- regulates menstrual & reproductive issues
- balances rebellious qi
- resolves abdominal stagnation
Chong Mai Indications
- sexual irregularities, lack of desire
- irregular menses
- infertility
- HT pain
- depression
- hiccups
- abdominal stagnation
- abdominal spasms/colic
- SOB
- asthma
Chong Mai Pathway
Originates at Ming Men and passes through uterus (if present) down to Re 1. Emerges at ST 30 and continues upward along KD meridian to KD 21, then flows up the throat, encircles the mouth, and continues up to the forehead. Second branch flows from Re 1 in
Yin Wei Mai
Names: Yin Linking
Paired: Chong Mai
Master: PC 6
Coupled: SP 4
Xi-cleft: KD 9
Intersections: KD 9, LV 14, SP 13, SP 15-16, Re 22-23
Areas of Effect: medial aspect of lower limbs, nervous/cardiovascular/musculoskeletal/digestive sys
When Ill: sxs of heart
Yin Wei Fx
- balances yin & yang
- regulates xue, yin, shen, circulation
Yin Wei Indication
- HT pain
- depression, shen dx
- HA d/t xue xu
- pain in chest/back/MJ/LJ
- abdominal distention
- stomachache
- nausea
- rectal prolapse
Yin Wei Pathway
Originates at KD 9 then goes up along medial aspect of thigh into abdomen where it enters the SP meridian at SP 13, SP 15, and SP 16. Continues to LV 14, enters the abdomen and continues upward through chest & throat. Meets the Ren mai at Re 22 & Re 23.
Dai Mai Details
Names: Belt Vessel, Girdle Vessel
Paired: Yang Wei Mai
Master: GB 41
Coupled: SJ 5
Intersections: GB 26-28, LV 13
Areas of Effect: lateral aspect of lumbar region, gastrointestinal/reproductive/musculoskeletal sys
When Ill: abdomen will be full, loins wil
Dai Mai Fx
- regulates MJ & LJ
- links upper & lower halves of body
- moves qi & xue in legs
Dai Mai Indication
- damp
- problems around waist/belt
- HA, migraines
- abdominal distention
- lumbar weakness
- pain & muscular weakness in lumbar & lower extremities
- weakness in legs
- walking problems
- irregular menses
- vaginal discharge
- infertility
Dai Mai Pathway
Originates at LV 13 and continues to & encircles GB 26. Traverses the body, including GB 27 & GB 28. Connects with KD at UB 23 and Du 4.
Yang Wei Mai Details
Names: Yang Linking
Paired: Dai Mai
Master: SJ 5
Coupled: GB 41
Xi-cleft: GB 35
Intersections: UB 63, SI 10, Du 15-16, GB 13-21, GB 35, SJ 115
Areas of Effect: sides of body, hips, joints, eyes, ears, musculoskeletal & immune sys
When Ill: sxs of cold & h
Yang Wei Mai Indications
- shao yang dx (alternating fever & chills)
- pain/distention in lumbar region
- vertigo
- pain on sides of body
Yang Wei Mai Pathway
Originates at UB 63 and ascends along GB meridian up legs & sides of the body. Continues to UB 59 & up to hip at GB 29. Continues along lateral aspect of body to SI 10 at the shoulder, then to SJ 15 and GB 21. Travels up to the head to ST 8 where it joins
SI 3 & UB 63
Fx
- opens & regulates KD
- clears heat
- calms spirit
Indications
- chronic & acute lumbar pain
- numbness in extremities
- hysterical paralysis
- epilepsy
- mania
- pain moving around body
- problems w/ motor skills
- problems w/ development in children
LU 7 & KD 6
Fx
- nourish fluids of throat & upper respiratory tract, urination
Indications
- dysfx or pain of throat
- painful urination
- edema
SP 4 & PC 6
Fx
- alleviate pain & regulate qi by nourishing internal organs
- distribution of healthy xue
Indications
- atrophy of ST
- palpitations
- GI dx
- irritability
- stifling sensation of the chest
- focal distention in abdomen & chest
SJ 5 & GB 41
Fx
- drain shao yang excess
Indications
- counterflow of LV & GB fire
- pain along shao yang
- vomiting
- HA
- red eyes
- dry, itchy eyes
- nasal congestion
- ear ringing
- tooth pain
- tightness in throat
- dizziness
- HTN
LU 7 & SP 4
Fx
- harmonise xue circulation in reproductive organs
- regulate menses
Indications
- menorrhagia
- amenorrhea
- dysmenorrhea
PC 6 & KD 6
Fx
- harmonise nourishment & mvmt in internal organs
Indications
- palpitations
- cardiovascular irregularities
- ST pain
- vomiting
- discomfort in the throat
- plum pit qi
- IBS
SJ 5 & UB 62
Fx
- stimulate yang circulation
Indications
- sudden paralysis d/t emotional & psychological causes
SI 3 & LU 7
Fx
- open up blocked Du/Re mai
Indications
- qi blockage (back pain) d/t qi gong practice