Atlas of Acupuncture

4.9 The Pericardium Channel System – Hand jueyin(shou jue yin jing luo)

● In contrast to the Pericardium primary channel, the Pericardium

divergent channel reaches the occiput and the neck. This

explains why several points on the P channel can be used for

disorders of the neck and ears, chronic throat pain, etc.

● By reaching the thorax, breast and hypochondrium, the Peri-

cardium divergent channel supports the relationship between

the Pericardium primary channel and these regions.

4.9.3 The Pericardium Sinew Channel

(shou jue yin jing jin)

● the other branchpenetrates the thorax below the axilla and

reaches the midthoracic region on the level of ➞Ren-17

(shanzhong), from where it spreads in the thoracic cavity to

bind (jie) at the diaphragm.

Clinical importance

Pathology:Stiffness, pain, spasms and distending sensations

along the pathway of the Pericardium sinew channel. Thoracic

pain and tightness, xi fensyndrome (one of the five ji-syndromes,

an ‘accumulation syndrome’) due to Lung Qi stagnation with

accumulation of Phlegm and Heat manifesting with symptoms

such as masses in the right hypochondriac region, possibly

accompanied by thoracic or back pain, haemoptysis, chills and

fever, shortness of breath and dyspnoea, etc.

Indication:Mainly for pain, spasms and distending sensations

along the pathway of the sinew channel, limited range of motion

along the medial aspect of the arm and elbow, swellings and pain

in the axilla and the breast.

4.9.4 The Pericardium luo-Connecting

Vessel System (shou jue yin

luo mai)

G.B.-22

(Meeting point

of the three hand Yin

sinew channels)

Ren-17

Pathway

The Pericardium sinew channel begins at the tip of the middle

finger

➡runs along the anterior aspect of the middle finger and along

the 3rd metacarpal bone

➡spreads in the centre of the palm and meets the Lung sinew

channel

➡binds (jie) in the centre of the wrist

➡ascends the anterior aspect of the forearm as well as the

anteromedial aspect of the upper arm to the axilla, binding

(jie) at P-3(quze) on the elbow and at ➞G.B.-22(yuanye),

where it meets the other hand Yin sinew channels.

At ➞G.B.-22, the channel separates into two branches:

● one branchdisperses on the anterior, lateral and posterior

aspects of the costal region

P-6

Ren-17

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