Meridians and their unique significance in modern medicine

Meridians and their unique significance in modern medicine

Meridians: the very unique body map

In Western medicine, anatomy and physiology is the basics to understand the human body. In traditional Eastern medicine, also we have anatomy and physiology, but it is different from Western medicine. Among all traditional Eastern medical terms, a concept called the meridian is one of the most important term. It enables us to see the human body holistically and integrally, thus enabling us to treat multiples symptoms at the same time although each symptom seems not connecting each other.

What are the meridians?

The human body contains blood vessels and nerves which connect to the muscles and other organs. They go all over the body and can work as both a supplier and a messenger. As long as they are working properly, the nerves will send signals between the brain and the muscles, and blood will be supplied all over the body and brought back to the heart (lymph system is a similar type of system as the blood vessels). However, if there is something wrong with one of these systems, the body will begin experiencing cardio-vascular or neuro-muscular problems that may affect the body organ eventually.
The meridians are similar to the systems described above. Meridians are bypaths in the body where energy runs through. There are 14 meridians in the body and all meridians are connected to each other in some way. Thus, enabling energy to circulate throughout the entire body, like the circulatory and nervous systems.
 

A relationship between the meridians and the organs

Traditional Eastern medicine also includes the concept of body organs. As well as being connected to one another, meridians also connect with their own specific organs in the body. Each meridian belongs to a certain organ, determining how it will be named. For example, the line that passes through the lateral side of the arm, connecting the chest to the thumb is known as the Lung Meridian. This is the unique feature of the meridian. Further, if the organ has a problem, it affects its belonged meridian. Meanwhile, if the meridian has something problem, it affects its belonged organ, occasionally transferring to other organs or meridians and creating other problems.
 

The importance of treating the meridians

According to classic text, when an individual has a weak point in the body, an outside pathogen will begin to invade the body from this point. This weak point will become the origin of the disease inside of the body. Due to being located deep within the body, a diseased organ can be significantly difficult to access, and treat. On the other hand, meridians are located on the surface of the body, making it easier to reach than the organs. Due to the connectivity of organs and meridians, treating the meridian will, in turn, treat the organ.
 
When the energy flow in the meridian is disrupted in some way, the associated area will become inactive or dysfunctional. Consequentially, this can lead to an imbalance of movements or posture of the individual. As a result, treating the meridian will not only fix the internal organ but will also improve the muscular-skeletal issue. The ability to fix both the internal and the external problems simultaneously, suggests how essential treating meridians can be.
 

The meridian is the integrated network system

Western medicine tends to focus on the affected area, concentrating on solving the immediate problem. Although this can provide a more accurate diagnosis, this process often allows the cause of an issue to be ignored. Contrastingly, Eastern medicine looks at the relationship between all systems and their cooperation, allowing the source of the issue to be located.
 
The meridian is the integrated network system in the body, connecting muscles and organs. It allows us to examine the body, connect the internal and the external, and subsequently understand the root of the cause. The process of examining meridians allows a more holistic look on cause and effect. An example of the benefits of an Eastern approach to medicine can be seen when examining the relationship between migraines and sciatica, or stomach pain and lower back pain. By examining the body’s meridians, we can see the connection. Therefore, by investigating the flow of energy in meridians, we are able to eliminate multiple related minor symptoms, and consequentially, fix the main issues expressed by patients.
 
In Western medicine, medical practitioners are just gradually recognizing the relationship between internal and external problems, and how they affect the core muscles. Eastern medicine has been utilizing this sophisticated and unique system for the past 3000 years. In my opinion this is amazing. As I study how the meridian runs through the body, I can’t help but have a respect for how ancient medicine found and regulated this pathway without any modern device to detect.