Acupuncture Channel Theory Session 6 Conception, Governor, Belt & Thoroughfare Vessels Review Arm Channel Pathways Chinese Medicine Department All channel diagrams used with permission. Deadman, P., Al-Khafaji, M., & Baker, K. (2007). A manual of acupuncture (2nd ed.). Hove, East Sussex: Journal of Chinese Medicine Publications.
Review Arm Yang Channels What do you remember about the arm yang channels?
Review Arm Yang Channels Meet arm yin channels at finger tips o Previous channel in diurnal flow of qi o Exterior/interior related channels Flow from fingers to head Cover posterior aspect of arm Meet leg yang channels at head o 6 division pair o Next channel in diurnal flow of qi Overlap of sinews in shoulder neck and head.
Eight Extraordinary Vessels
Eight Extraordinary Vessels o The Conception vessel (Ren Mai) o The Governor vessel (Du Mai) o The Thoroughfare vessel (Penetrating/Chong Mai) o The Belt vessel (Girdling/Dai Mai) o The Yang Heel (Motility/Qiao Mai) o The Yin Heel (Motility/Yin Qiao Mai) o The Yang Link vessel (Linking/Wei Mai) o The Yin Link vessel (Linking/Wei Mai) Deadman, Al-Khafaji & Baker (2007, pp. 17-20 & 495-562)
Functions of the Eight Extraordinary Vessels Link the twelve primary channels Act as reservoirs Protect the body Govern the yin and yang, qi and blood
Differences between Extraordinary Vessels and the 12 primary channels Extraordinary Vessels: o Do not correspond to any standard Zang or Fu o Do not share an exterior interior relationship with each other o Have no points of their own, (except for CV and GV) o Share points with the Main Channels
Extraordinary Vessels and acupoint of the 12 primary channels Extraordinary vessels share points with the Main Channels o Where the extraordinary vessels intersect with the primary channels - Coalescent Points o Can also be accessed by using Confluent points
Conception (Ren) Vessel
Conception (Ren) Vessel System o Conception Vessel Primary Vessel o Conception Luo-Connecting Vessel
The Conception (Ren) Primary Vessel Regular Points 24 points Connecting Zang Fu Uterus in Women (Extraordinary Fu) Note: some sources state a connection with the Lungs
The Primary Conception (Ren) Vessel
Pathway of the Conception (Ren) Vessel spine uterus CV (Deadman, 2007, p. 495)
External Pathway of the Conception (Ren) Vessel o Flows superiorly along the anterior midline CV-24 o Traversing the abdomen chest and throat o Connects with CV-24 at the mentolabial groove CV (Deadman, 2007, p. 495)
Internal Pathway of the Conception (Ren) Vessel o Starts in the lower abdomen in males and uterus in females CV-1 o Surfaces CV-1 at the perineum CV (Deadman, 2007, p. 495)
Branches of the Main Conception o An internal branch extends from CV-24 (Ren) Vessel o Encircle the lips CV-24 o Terminates below the eye CV (Deadman, 2007, p. 495)
Branches of the Main Conception (Ren) Vessel o Another branch surfaces from the pelvic cavity o Ascends along the central spine CV (Deadman, 2007, p. 495)
Functions of the Conception Vessel Known as the Sea of Yin o Conception Ren Vessel connects all yin channels o Regulates Yin channels, Qi and Blood o Governs reproduction, growth and development and thus influences menstruation o Stores the essence in males Sculpture (Thomsen, 2008)
Actions & Indications of the Conception (Ren) Vessel o Urinary dysfunction o Menstrual disorders o Vaginal discharge o Sexual dysfunction o Abdominal masses o Gastrointestinal disorders o Pulmonary disorders o Cardiac disorders
Conception Vessel Luo-Connecting o Separates at CV-15 o Spreads inferiorly over the abdomen CV-15 CV Luo (Deadman, 2007, p. 495)
Indications of the Luo-connecting channel of the Conception (Ren) Vessel o Abdominal skin pain o Itching anus
Governor (Du) Vessel
Governor (Du) Vessel System o The Governor (Du) Primary Vessel o The Governor (Du) Luo-connecting Vessel
The Governor (Du) Primary Vessel Regular Points 28 points Connecting Zang Fu and Structures Brain Spinal Cord Heart Kidney Genitals Anus
Pathway of the Governor (Du) Vessel Brain Spinal Cord Genitals CV-1 Anus GV (Deadman, 2007, p. 495)
Internal Pathway of the Governor (Du) Vessel o Internal channel originates from the lower abdomen o Surfaces at the perineum o Connects with GV-1 o Enters the brain at GV-16 o Emerges from the brain at GV-20 GV (Deadman, 2007, p. 495)
External Pathway of the Governor (Du) Vessel GV-20 o From GV-1 o o The channels extends along the midline of the posterior spine To GV-20 at the vertex GV-1 GV (Deadman, 2007, p. 495) Endeavour College of Natural Health endeavour.edu.au
External Pathway of the Governor (Du) Vessel Traverses the forehead and nose GV (Deadman, 2007, p. 495)
External Pathway of the Governor (Du) Vessel o Traverses the forehead and nose o GV-26 at the philtrum GV (Deadman, 2007, p. 495)
External Pathway of the Governor (Du) Vessel Terminates GV-28 on the upper aspect of the gum GV (Deadman, 2007, p. 495)
Internal Branches Governor (Du) Vessel In addition to the internal pathways of the primary channel already described The Governor Vessel has three braches which run internally.
Internal Branches of the Governor (Du) Vessel The first branch o Originates from the lower abdomen o Connects with the genitals, perineum and anus o Continues along the anterior spine o Enters the kidneys Kidney GV (Deadman, 2007, p. 495)
Internal Branches of the Governor Vessel The second branch mouth Throat o Originates in the lower abdomen o Connects with the external genitalia. o Passes through the umbilicus, heart and throat o Encircles the mouth o Terminates just inferior to the eyes Umbilicus Heart external genitalia GV (Deadman, 2007, p. 495)
Internal Branches of the Internal Vessel The third branch o Bilaterally from BL-1 at the inner canthus o Traverses the forehead o Unites to form a single channel at the vertex o Enters the brain o Emerges at GV-16 o Separates to connect with BL-12 bilaterally, at the level of T2 o Connects with the kidneys GV (Deadman, 2007, p. 495)
Governor (Du) Vessel Sea of Yang Connects all of the yang channels Regulates the Qi and Blood (Xue) of the Yang channels Nourishes the brain and marrow Governs mind and motion
Actions & Indications of the Governor (Du) Vessel o Rigidity of the spine o Heaviness/shaking of the head o Urinary/faecal o Vertigo, tinnitus, dizziness o Sexual dysfunction o Fertility disorders o Menstrual irregularities o Haemorrhoids, hernias and prolapse
Governor Vessel Luo-Connecting o Commences GV-1 ascends bilaterally, adjacent to the spine o Connects with the Bladder channel and spine o Disperses over the occiput GV (Deadman, 2007, p. 495)
Indications of the Governor Luo-connecting Vessel o Rigidity of the spine o Heaviness of the head
The Thoroughfare (Penetrating/Chong) Vessel
The Thoroughfare (Penetrating/Chong) Vessel o Thoroughfare Vessel Primary Vessel
The Thoroughfare (Chong) Primary Vessel Coalescent (Meeting) Points 13 points Connecting Zang Fu Nil
TV intersects with primary channels at the following Coalescent Points CV-1 ST-30 KID-11 KID-12 KID-13 KID-14 KID-15 KID-16 KID-17 KID-18 KID-19 KID-20 KID-21 Note: Classic texts list variations on the coalescent points of the Chong Vessel namely the addition of CV-7 (Yinjiao)
Thoroughfare Vessel Pathway GV (Deadman, 2007, p. 495)
Thoroughfare Vessel Pathway GV (Deadman, 2007, p. 495)
Thoroughfare Vessel Pathway CV-1 GV (Deadman, 2007, p. 495)
Functions of the Thoroughfare (Chong) Vessel Sea of the five yin and six yang organs Sea of the 12 channels Sea of blood
Functions of the Thoroughfare (Chong) Vessel o Connects pre-heaven and post-heaven qi (kidneys and stomach) o Distributes essence throughout the body o Distributing defensive (wei) qi in the chest and abdomen o Controlling blood in the uterus o Strengthens the connection between CV & GV
Actions & Indications of the Thoroughfare Vessel orespiratory disorders odigestive disorders oinfertility omenstrual irregularities
Class Discussion What similarities do the Conception, Governor and Thoroughfare Vessels have in common?
The Belt (Dai/Girdle) Vessel
Belt (Dai/Girdle) Vessel System obelt (Dai/Girdle) Primary Vessel
The Belt (Dai/Girdle) Primary Vessel Coalescent Points 3 Connecting Zang Fu Nil
The Coalescent Points of the Belt (Dai/Girdle) Vessel GB-26 GB-27 GB-28
Pathway of the Belt (Dai/Girdle) Vessel o Commences near the free end of the 11 th rib o Connects with GB26,27, and 28 o Circles the waist similar to a belt
Features & Functions of the Belt Vessel o Only channel to run horizontally across the body o Therefore connects all the other Channels o Restrains the waist and abdomen and holds the uterus and foetus in position o Regulates female physiological leucorrhoea Qi-Cai (2006, p.62)
Actions & Indications of the Belt Vessel o Atrophy and numbness of the lower limbs o Abdominal fullness o Coldness of the lower back as if sitting in cold water o Lumbar pain extending to the groin and navel o Profuse leucorrhoea o Miscarriage o Reproductive and menstrual disorders
Group Work Divide into groups of 2 or 3 Using a chinagraph pencil or eyeliner Review the pathways of the arm channels using main points as landmarks In preparation for practical exam next week.
References Deadman, P., Al-Khafaji, M., & Baker, K. (2007). A manual of acupuncture (2nd ed.). Hove, East Sussex: Journal of Chinese Medicine Publications. [Available as web app 2013, mobile app 2009 or text 2007] Qi-Cai, W. (2006). Secondary Channels and Collaterals. People s Medical Publishing House, Beijing Thomsen, E. (2008). Sculpture by Paul Manship on the campus of Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts [Image]. Retrieved February 9, 2016, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/file:cycle_of_life_(armillary_sphere).jpg
59