17
The Channels of Acupuncture
1.5.2 Jing Jin
≈
Sinew/Tendino-muscular
Channels
經筋
The order of description in Ling Shu chapter 13 is:
Zu Taiyang
BL
Zu Shaoyang
GB
Zu Yangming
ST
Shou Taiyang
SI
Shou Shaoyang
TW
Shou Yangming
LI
Zu Taiyin
SP
Zu Shaoyin
KI
Zu Jueyin
LR
Shou Taiyin
LU
Shou Jueyin
PE
Shou Shaoyin
HE
Here the order of description reflects a spatial strati-
fication in terms of abundance of
Wei Qi
from the
surface towards the interior. This highlights the role
of the
Jing
Jin
≈
Sinew channels in protection and obvi-
ously in mobility.
1.5.3 Jing Bie
≈
Divergent/Distinct Vessels
經別
They are described in Yang-Yin couples:
together with
Zu Taiyang
BL
Zu Shaoyin
KI
Zu Shaoyang
GB
Zu Jueyin
LR
Zu Yangming
ST
Zu Taiyin
SP
Shou Taiyang
SI
Shou Shaoyin
HE
Shou Shaoyang
TW
Shou Jueyin
PE
Shou Yangming
LI
Shou Taiyin
LU
Their naming as diverging collaterals or canals implies
their function of diverting the six excesses (pathogenic
factors) from the main channels. They play the role
of a buffer in protecting the primary channels and
also the
Zang-Fu
from external pathogenic factors.
Their coupling here is
Biao-Li
≈
Exterior-interior. The
sequence starts with BL and KI channels = Water,
implying the relation to not only
Wei Qi,
but also to
Yuan
≈
Source
Qi
and
Jing
≈
Essence
. Hence the
Jingbie
would be the preferential conduits of
Wei
and
Yuan
Qi,
supplementing the
Jing Jin
and the
Luo
in their
protective functions.
1.5.4 Luo Mai
≈
Network/Connecting
Vessels
絡脉
There is a discrepancy as to the order of their descrip-
tion. Ling Shu chapter 10 gives the following order:
Shou Taiyin
LU
Shou Shaoyin
HE
Shou Jueyin
PE
Shou Taiyang
SI
Shou Yangming
LI
Shou Shaoyang
TW
Zu Taiyang
BL
Zu Shaoyang
GB
Zu Yangming
ST
Zu Taiyin
SP
Zu Shaoyin
KI
Zu Jueyin
LR
Ren Mai
RM
Du Mai
DM
Da/Great Luo of Spleen
Da Luo of Stomach*
*
described in Suwen chapter 18
This evokes an organization following the intensity
of Yin and Yang and from above to below with the
inversion of the hand
Yangming
and
Shaoyang
.
The
Luo
are described to “float” outwards and to
become visible, implying their superficial position.
They do not penetrate either the articulations, or the
Zang-Fu
.The
Luo
maintain an inside-outside balance,
harmonising the
Biao-Li
≈
Exterior-interior. They are
mainly involved in the integrity of the surface. Serving
as a reservoir or buffer for external pathogenic factors,
or for internal excesses, emotional or dietary.
In summery, the
Luo Mai
mainly maintain:
·
·
Inner balance bymaintaining the
Biao-Li
connection
between the coupled channels. This is the function
of the Transversal or Horizontal
Luo
·
·
The Luo also manage the contact to the outer world
and play a protective role. This is the domain of the
Longitudinal
Luo
The
Luo
occupy the space between the main channels
and the skin “
Cou Li
腠理
” as described in the Suwen.
Maciocia further describes the organisation of the
Luo
from surface to depth as follows:
·
·
Superficial
Luo
·
·
Luo
·
·
Primary Channel
·
·
Deep
Luo
In general the
Luo
are classified as:
·
·
Sun Luo
孙
(deeper) and
Fu Luo
浮
(more superfi-
cial) which carry
Qi
from the centre to the periphery
