PART I
THE EIGHT EXTRAORDINARY
CHANNELS IN
CLINICAL PRACTICE
Chapter 1
THE ACUPUNCTURE CHANNEL SYSTEM
The acupuncture channel system contains a sequence of levels that can be easily visualized from an anatomical layer perspective. Each layer or channel system corresponds to specific aspects of the body and their corresponding Chinese medical substances and related pathologies. The pathways of the channel system provide pointers to the āsequencingā of the channels. For example, superficial channel layers deal with the exterior and the pathology related to it, and the deep channels influence interior conditions and chronic constitutional conditions. The following shows the acupuncture layering system. Each layer will treat pathologies at its corresponding level more effectively than one channel system treating all layers.
Wei levelāsuperficial
sinew channels
connecting (luo) channels
primary channels
divergent channels
Eight Extraordinary Channels
Yuan levelādeep
The insight of the layering or sequencing of the channel system is clearly presented in the Nei Jing. The following Nei Jing references express this layering system. The Eight Extraordinary Channels are at the deep layers of the body.
āIn general, when a pathogen invades the body, it first enters the skin level. If it lingers or is not expelled it will travel into the micro luo. If not expelled it travels to the regular luo channels, if not expelled it then moves to the main channels and then the internal organs.ā
āThis is the progression of the pathogen from the skin level into the organs.ā
Nei Jing Su Wen, Chapter 63
āIt is said the illness may be on the hair level, the skin level, the muscle level, the level of channels, tendon level, bone and marrow level. When treating the hair level do not damage the skin level. If the illness is at the skin level do not damage the muscle level, if the illness is at the muscle level needling too deeply will damage the channel level. In illness of the tendons needling too deeply will damage the bone level, in illness of the bones needling too deeply will damage the marrow.ā
Nei Jing Su Wen, Chapter 50
āWhen needling the bone level, take care not to needle the tendon level. When needling the tendon level do not injure the muscles. When needling the muscles, do not injure the channels and vessels. When needling the skin, do not injure the flesh or muscles.ā
Nei Jing Su Wen, Chapter 51
The Eight Extraordinary Channels are the domain of Jing and Yuan qi. These channels and substances influence and reflect the deepest aspects of our life, including our constitution and chronic patterns. This book presents how to use these channels to treat Jing and Yuan level conditions.
Chapter 2
THREE-LAYER THEORY
An important energetic model in Chinese philosophy and medicine is San Qing, which means āthe three pure ones.ā From an energetic viewpoint, it reflects the interaction of three forces. From a macro viewpoint, it is a way to view universal interactionsāfor example, the interactions in the celestial realm. Tai Chi terminology and theory brings this macro theory to practical applications in medicine. The Tai Chi circle contains the Yang force (white color), the Yin force (black color), and the centerline or Yuan force (center curving line), and represents a three-force energy field. HeavenāHumanāEarth and shenāqiāJing are examples of this trinity model. In Chinese medicine, an important medical model of this theory is the three-layer theory. The three layers are Wei, Ying, and Yuan.
Superficial layer
Wei
Ying
Yuan
Deep layer
In the three-layer model, conditions can be viewed based on these layers or levels. When making a diagnosis, consider where the pathogen is located. From an Eight Extraordinary Channels viewpoint, pathogens and conditions at the Yuan level would be treated with these channels (see Tables 2.1 and 2.2). For example, a person who has chronic asthma would be diagnosed with Lung and Kidney qi deficiency. This is a chronic condition that is at the deep level, the Yuan level. This level corresponds to the Eight Extraordinary Channels, and source qi. The treatment therefore includes the Eight Extraordinary Channels
TABLE 2.1 THREE COMMON ENERGETIC LAYERS
Yuan force | Human | Shan Ching | second ancestry | Ying layer | middle Da... |