Atlas of Acupuncture

1 Jing luo(Channel and Network Vessel System)

The cou li– often unsatisfactorily translated as ‘pores’ – are the

striae or compartments between the skin and the muscles. They

have the function of a gateway for the entry and exit of Qi and

fluids and serve as protection against the invasion of Exterior

pathogenic factors. According to Larre and Rochat de la Vallée

(1986), the cou li, as the outermost of the wrappings of the

Triple Burner, cover the whole body. They connect the surface

of the body with its inner organs. This explains the effectiveness

of acupuncture and other manual therapies for the treatment of

internal disorders as well as showing up the presence of diseases

of the inner organs on the Exterior of the body.

In the superficial layers of the body, the Defensive Qi (wei qi)

circulates through the skin and the superficial musculature,

warming, nourishing and strengthening them. Through these

actions it supports the general defence against Exterior patho-

genic factors, acting mainly in the realm of the sinew channels

(jing jin) (➞1.4). In the deep layers of the body, it plays an

important role in the functioning of the ‘diaphragm’. According

to Larre and Rochat de la Vallée (1986), this represents not only

a membranous barrier between the thorax and the abdomen, but

can be regarded as a ‘sac of membranes’, including and con-

necting the peritoneum, the pleura and the pericardium. Nielsen

(1995) interprets this ‘network of caves’ as the inner aspect of

the Triple Burner, which connects with its outer aspect, the

cou li. Following this interpretation, the Defensive Qi (wei qi)

would also be involved with the mesenteric defenceand the

protection of the inner organs.

According to chapter 75 of the Ling Shu, the circulation of the

Defensive Qi (wei qi) is cyclical, changing from day to night and

vice versa. At dawn, when the Yin Qi is exhausted, the Yang Qi

pours itself from the eyes and the eyes are opened. As a result, the

wei qirises from the heel via the (Yin) qiao maiupwards to the

eye to BL-1(jingming) and flows into the whole body like a

waterfall by following the six great Yang channels – ‘it moves 25

times in the Yang’. At dusk, when the Yang Qi is exhausted, the

wei qienters the Interior of the body and moves ‘25 times in the

Yin’, following the controlling cycle (kecycle ➞8.2.5): from

the Kidneys to the Heart, from the Heart to the Lungs, from the

Lungs to the Liver, from the Liver to the Spleen, and back to the

Kidneys. Therefore the wei qi has a relationship with the

sleep–wake rhythm: during sleep it withdraws deeper into the

body – during daytime it circulates in the outer layers of the body.

The two extraordinary vessels, the yin qiao maiand the yang qiao

mai (➞1.7, ➞Chapter 5), play an important role in this respect. If

their cycle is blocked, the circulation of the wei qiwill be inter-

rupted and disorders will arise. The yin qiao maiascends, while

the yang qiao maidescends, both meeting at the eyes at BL-

(jingming) and forming a cycle, similar to the small heavenly

cycle of the ren maiand du mai. If there is an excess of Yang Qi,

this will be drained from the channels into the yang qiao mai, ‘the

eyes cannot close’ and insomnia will occur. If there is an excess of

Yin Qi, this will be drained from the channels into the yin qiao

mai, ‘the eyes cannot open’ and somnolence will occur. In both

cases, a relative disharmony develops between the two opponents.

Circulation of the Nutritive Qi (ying qi)

The Nutritive Qi (ying qi) circulates in the mai. The maiinclude

both the primary channels (jing mai) and the secondary channels

such as the Connecting Vessels (luo mai, sun luo), the divergent

channels (jing bie), the extraordinary vessels and the Blood Ves-

sels. Wherever there are channels and vessels, the ying qiwill

circulate. According to chapter 16 and 18 of the Ling Shu, the

ying qicirculates constantly and continuously.

First circulation of the ying qi(➞Fig. 1.5)

The first circulation of the ying qiencompasses the 12 primary

channels. The cycle startsat the primary LU channeland ends

at the primary LIV channel, which in turn connects with the

primary LU channel, thus closing the cycle (➞Fig. 1.5). The

Middle Burnerprovides and distributesthe ying qithroughout

the whole body. According to some of the classics, the Grain Qi

(gu qi) derived from food is only transformed into Nutritive Qi

(ying qi) in the Lungs, not already in the Middle Burner. Since

the internal pathway of the primary Lung channel begins in the

Middle Burner, these two statements do not contradict each

other in principle.

First

circuit

yin yang

ST (zu yangming)

Second

circuit

BL(zu taiyang)

P (shou jueyin)

G.B. (zu shaoyang)

Third

circuit

Metal

Fire

Water

Wood

Fire

HE(shou shaoyin)

L.I.(shou yangming)

SP(zu taiyin)

S.I. (shou taiyang)

KID (zu shaoyin)

T.B. (shou shaoyang)

LIV(zu jueyin)

LU(shou taiyin)

Circuit according to Organ clock shou
 hand zu
 foot

Earth

Fig. 1.5 First circulation of the Nutritive Qi (ying qi)

The changes in Yin/Yang polarisation– the changes from a

Yin channel to a Yang channel and vice versa – always take

place in the hand or the foot (also ➞1.2.2). For example, the

Yang energy potential rises from the Yin channel to the Yang

channel, and then descends again from the Yang channel to the

Yin channel (➞Fig. 1.6).

Ch01-F10028.qxd 2/22/08 2:30 PM Page 6