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acupuncture meridians identified by traditional healers include the twelve standard meridians and the eight extraordinary meridians, for a total of twenty meridians. The twelve standard meridians travel along the arms and legs and include points connected to the following major organs of the body:

  • 1. Lung
  • 2. Large Intestine
  • 3. Stomach
  • 4. Spleen
  • 5. Heart
  • 6. Small Intestine
  • 7. Urinary Bladder
  • 8. Kidney
  • 9. Pericardium
  • 10. Triple Heater
  • 11. Gall Bladder
  • 12. Liver

The standard meridians are divided into two groups, the traditional Yin and Yang. The Yin meridians of the arms connect to the functions of the lung, heart and pericardium, with the Yang arm functions connecting to the large intestine, small intestine and the triple heater. The Yin acupuncture meridians of the leg include the spleen, kidney and liver, with the Yang acupuncture meridians of the leg including the stomach, urinary bladder and gall bladder.

The eight extraordinary acupuncture meridians are not associated with internal organs in any way; rather, they are associated with levels of energy and are considered energy storage locations within the body. These eight extraordinary energy storage vessels are listed below:

  • 1. Directing Vessel, or Ren Mai
  • 2. Governing Vessel, or Du Mai
  • 3. Penetrating Vessel, or Chong Mai
  • 4. Girdle Vessel, or Dai Mai
  • 5. Yin Linking Vessel, or Yin Wei Mai
  • 6. Yang Linking Vessel, or Yang Wei Mai
  • 7. Yin Heel Vessel, or Yin Qiao Mai
  • 8. Yang Heel Vessel, or Yang Qiao Mai

Points and Meridians of Acupuncture Laminated Chart

The Yin meridians of the hand begin on the chest and move along the inside of the arm to the hand, with the Yang meridians of the hand beginning on the hand and moving along the outside of the arm to the head. The three Yin meridians of the foot begin on the foot and move along the inside of the leg to the chest, with the Yang meridians of the foot beginning on the face and moving along the outside of the body to the foot.

Qi, or blood, is believed to flow along the twelve standard acupuncture meridians, touching each acupuncture point at a certain time of the day. By inserting Acupuncture Needles into the external pathway points along the meridians of the human body, both blood flow and energy are improved in the patient and they usually experience significant relief of their symptoms.

The Subtle Body: An Encyclopedia of Your Energetic Anatomy