Channels and Collaterals

The channels and collaterals are distributed all over the human body, linking the interior Zang-fu organs with the various tissues and organs of the superficial portion of the body to make the body an organic integrity. In the network of the channels and collaterals, the channels are the main trunks which pertain to the respective Zang-fu organs, while the collaterals are their minor branches distributed over the entire body.

1. Nomenclature and Classification
1. The system of channels and collaterals mainly consists of:
1. twelve regular channels,
2. eight extra channels
3. fifteen collaterals.
2. The twelve regular channels, together with Ren Channel and the Du Channel of the eight extra channels, forms the fourteen channels, along each of which are points for applying acupuncture and moxibustion.
3. The complete name of each of the twelve regular channels is composed of three parts:
1. hand or foot
2. yin or yang --
1. yin is again divided into:
1. Taiyin,
2. Shaoyin
3. Jueyin,
2. yang into:
1. Taiyang,
2. Yangming
3. Shaoyang,
3. Zang or a fu organ.
4. The hand or foot in the name of a channel depends on whether the channel starts or terminates at the hand or the foot, while yin or yang and a Zang or fu organ it pertains to.
5. The eight extra channels are:
1. Du: Governing all the yang channels
2. Ren: Responsible for all the yin channels
3. Chong: Communicating with all the channels
4. Dai: Binding up all the channels
5. Yangqiao: Qiao means-- starting the Yinqiao and Yangqiao channels from the foot, giving agile motility
6. Yinqiao
7. Yangwei: Wei means – that the Yinwei and Yangwei channels connect respectively with all the yin and yang channels
8. Yinwei
2. Functions of channels and collaterials:
1. The functions of channels and collaterals consist of circulation Qi and blood, warming and nourishing the tissues and linking up the whole body so as to keep the Zang-fu organs, four limbs, skin, muscles, tendons and bones intact in structure and functioning synergically and make the body an organic integrity. These functions of the channels and collaterals play an important role in clinical work.
2. Channels and collaterals are important passages through which disorders impart their influence among the Zang-fu organs or between the Zang-fu organs and the tissues and peripheral organs of the body.
3. The theory of channels and collaterals is extensively used as a guide to treatment of diseases in the various clinical specialties, especially acupuncture and moxibustion. In acupuncture and moxibustion therapy the affected channels or Zang-fu organs are first detected. Points are then selected from adjacent areas or from the corresponding channels in distant areas. Therapeutic results may be obtained through regulating the circulation of Qi and blood of the channels and collaterals.