Example flow: Lung → Large Intestine → Stomach → Spleen → Heart → Small Intestine → Bladder → Kidney → Pericardium → San Jiao → Gallbladder → Liver → Lung
Alternates between hand and foot meridians throughout the flow
Only yang meridians go to the head
Flow example:
Lung: Chest to hand
Large Intestine: Hand to head
Stomach: Head to foot
Spleen: Foot to chest
Repeats for Heart, Small Intestine, etc.
Subtypes of Meridians
Yang Meridians
Tai Yang (Greater Yang): Small Intestine, Bladder
Yang Ming (Brightest Yang): Large Intestine, Stomach
Shao Yang (Lesser Yang): San Jiao, Gallbladder
Yin Meridians
Tai Yin (Greater Yin): Lung, Spleen
Shao Yin (Lesser Yin): Heart, Kidney
Jue Yin (End of Yin): Pericardium, Liver
Western Medicine Perspective
Understanding Meridians
High concentration of minute nerves, blood vessels, and neuromuscular attachments
Needling these areas sends signals to the brain to self-regulate and heal
Explanation to Patients
Simple Terms: Acupuncture nudges the body to self-regulate and heal
Mechanisms: Release of endorphins, reduction of inflammation, stimulation of immune response, improved blood flow, signal blocking for pain, release of hormones