Lecture Notes: Secondary Channels in Acupuncture

Overview

Primary Topic: Secondary channels: sinew channels, luo (connecting) channels, divergent channels, eight extraordinary channels.
Context: Acupuncture 101 course, second lecture.
Goal: Introduce the secondary channels that exist above and below primary channels.

Channel Network (Jing Luo): Web or network of channels over the body.
- Jing: Vertical channels (primary channels/main channels).
- Luo: Horizontal channels (secondary channels).
Secondary Channels: Additional channels beyond primary channels, existing at various depths.
- Types: Cutaneous regions, minute collaterals, sinew channels, luo connecting channels, primary channels, divergent channels, eight extraordinary channels, deep pathways.

Connect and Harmonize: Channels connect the body, balancing and integrating it.
- Connects above/below, right/left, exterior/interior, channels/organs, organs/organs.
Distribute Qi and Blood: Channels distribute qi and blood to nourish tissues (like a circulatory system).
Protect the Body: Channels protect from blunt trauma and exterior pathogens.
Diagnostics and Treatment: Reflect dysfunction and respond to treatment by transmitting qi to diseased areas.

Superficial: Regions of skin associated with primary channels.
Function: Reflect disorders of channels and organs; Pathways for external pathogens entering the body.

Nature: Capillary-like channels supplying qi and blood to tissues.
Function: Distribute qi and blood throughout body tissues, not extensively mapped.

Nature: Muscles, ligaments, tendons connected to primary channels.
Functions: Protect from trauma, sustain upright posture, connect the bones, govern joint movement, integrate body surface to interior, reflect primary channel diseases.
Treatment: Through massage, cupping, gua sha, shallow needling (Ah Shi points).

Nature: Branch horizontally from primary channels at lower connecting points, connecting internally/externally paired channels.
Functions: Balance yin and yang of limbs, nourish superficial/deep areas, protect and warm muscles, circulate wei qi, connect left/right sides, and interior/exterior.
Example: Lung Luo Channel (Lung 7) connects to Lung primary channel, affects thenar eminence.

Nature: Deeper channels that separate from primary channels, dive deep, and re-emerge, reconnecting with their paired yang channels.
Functions: Strengthen relations between paired channels and organs, distribute qi and blood to head/face, explain acupuncture point functions.
Example: Stomach Divergent Channel connects to stomach, spleen, and heart organs.

Nature: Reservoirs of qi/blood, not connected to primary channel flow, deeper than divergent channels.
Names: Ren (Conception), Du (Governing), Chong (Penetrating), Dai (Girdle), Yin Qiao, Yang Qiao, Yin Wei, Yang Wei.
Functions: Act as energy reservoirs, link primary channels, protect the body (particularly Ren, Du, Chong), regulate life cycles.
Treatment: Associated with master points on primary channels (e.g., Lung 7 for Ren channel).

Acknowledgement: Deeper pathways exist but are not specifically mapped or named.

Understanding of secondary channels enhances understanding of point functions and treatment methods in acupuncture.
Provides a comprehensive framework for diagnosing and treating various conditions.