Body energy channels are also known as meridians, which are vessels that run throughout the body transporting life energy, vital energy (Qi), Blood and all other fundamental substances to the body. These meridians also known as acupoints/hijama points and energy vessels, affect our feelings, our thoughts, our mind and the overall health of our bodies. The body meridians are wonderful because they can be used as a treatment or diagnosis in TICM.
Our body has twelve major meridians that run on either side of the body, like a mirror, one side Yin/Female and one side Yang/Male. Always balance. Each meridian relates to an internal organ. The organ depends on the meridian for optimal function. If you have ever seen a photo of the body or an acupuncture model in your TICM doctor's office, the body will look like a giant road map or highway or metro system. It resembles the circulatory system in Western medicine but the meridians we call on in Islamic/Chinese medicine are non-physical.
The twelve primary meridians are as follows: Liver, Spleen, Stomach, Large Intestine, Kidney, Lung, Gallbladder, Heart, Small Intestine, Urinary Bladder, Pericardium, San Jiao (Lymphatic system). The meridians are a constant flow of energy and Blood and information to the organs. They are able to alert the organs to regulate emotion, release water, adjust body temperature, to detox, regulate functions and many more things.
If there are any blockages, clogs, leakages in the meridians, or surplus of energy in one area and lacking in another, health issues and symptoms arise. In TICM, if the meridians have a free flow of energy to allow the body to work in harmony, one is healthy. Blockages can be the result of stress, injury, trauma, toxic lifestyle, poor diet, lack of moderate movement or exercise, untreated or excess emotions. When the body's life force energy becomes blocked, various imbalances result in heath symptoms.
Our meridians are sensitive energy transporters and gates. This allows TICM practices like hijama, acupuncture, acupressure, herbs, Qigong and other practices to stimulate the flow of energy for optimal health. Our energy flow affects how we feel, how we think, and the over all condition of our body.