Meridians

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, energy called Qi, circulates in the body and follows specific tracks, that are connected with eachother: the meridians.

When the energy flow stagnates, is blocked, or flows somewhere else, there is an interruption of the energyflow, which can cause emotional and physical problems.
To rectify the energy flow, and the following problems, specific points (acupuncture points) on the meridians are stimulated through the use of acupuncture needles, pressure (acupressure), or through other techniques.

The World Health Organization has released a publication entitled “Standard Acupuncture Nomenclature.” This is a list of approximately 400 acupuncture points and 20 meridians, all of which are linked to each other.

Since 1978, scientists have tried to show that meridians and acupuncture points have an anatomical structure, using radioactive tracing methods.
After injecting a radioactive tracer, clear lines become visible. Those lines correspond to meridian lines in the body.

In the “Journal of Nuclear Medicine” from 1992, an article was published that discussed the presence of meridians evident by the use of radioactive substances. Several research groups from France, Romania, China and Spain have obtained similar results independently of each other, after injecting radioactive tracers into acupuncture points.
The result of this amalgamation of research indicates the physical existence of meridians.

Qi

Qi or Chi is a fundamental concept from the Chinese culture.
Chi is defines as the “breath, vitality, and spiritual energy” which determines a portion of everything that lives.

Traditional Chinese Medicine states that Chi circulates in canals, the meridians. Disruptions of Chi movement in the meridians or disruptions of Qi in the organs cause symptoms of illness.