September
2001
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EAST
MEETS WEST
Acupuncture Works
Along Meridian Pathways
ZHOULING REN, TCMD
Through 2001, Dr. Zhuoling Ren, a traditional Chinese medical doctor, answers questions
on traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Dr. Ren gears her columns to lay readers and
practitioners alike about many Oriental medical topics. Her responses to commonly
asked questions provide information on theoretical, clinical, and modern research
regarding TCM. This month's article answers a question about the meridian system.
THE MERIDIAN SYSTEM is the essential system upon which acupuncture works. But what
are meridians? From the modern scientific viewpoint, is there any research about
the meridian system?
According to traditional Chinese medicine theory, the meridians and collaterals are
pathways in which the energy and blood of the human body is circulated. In the last
few decades, much research has proven that the meridian phenomenon, also called "perceptual
extension," does objectively exist. But exactly what constitutes the material
and construction of the meridian system is still a mystery.
There are some theoretical explanations that researchers have suggested. The first
is that it is a bio-electric system. This theory views the meridian system as a good
conductor of electrical current. Another theory presents it as a bio-chemical system.
Under this theory, the fact is, most of the research has been done by analyzing the
bio-chemical reactions in the brain or other organs with acupuncture. Yet another
approach is the “Black Box Theory,” in which the human body is viewed as a whole.
We can't see exactly what is going on within the body but we can recognize the meridians
from the feedback when the body is in its normal condition, in disorder, in its recovery
process, and from acupuncture treatment effects.
Meridians Communicate Life
Let me introduce one recent research project by a university in Taiwan and its
theory about the electrical properties of meridians. Using DC and AC voltage stimulation,
the research results showed that the meridian system is "...a faster guide than
other tissue for the propagation of electromagnetic waves and demonstrates preferential
directions for both electric conductance and electromagnetic wave propagation."
The theory is that the meridian system is an efficient network for biological communication
inside the body. This biological communication refers to matter, energy, and information
exchange within the body between organs, tissues, cells, etc. The viewpoint is that
the meridian system is essential for embryo development. Again referring to the study:
"A fertilized egg will split into two cells which form the embryo as a whole,
not two independent ones. Such an embryo system can be achieved only through intensive
communication, but at this stage there are no nerve cells or blood vessels. Practical
communication is executed by way of primitive meridians that appear between the two
cells, and this primitive meridian system increases in complexity as the embryo grows."
Since the meridian system bears no material structure, it gives the most flexibility
and sensitivity to the meridian system. That's why acupuncture works in such an effective
manner.
Until today there is still no fundamental material to be found regarding the meridian
system. Research is still going on in China, in Europe, and all over the world. There
are two possibilities. On the one hand is that the meridian system is just an active
matter, it is a phenomenon. Its material foundation can be the materials of all (energy,
blood, maliculus, cells, tissues, organs, etc.) On the other hand, the possibility
is that modern science and technology doesn't yet have the ability to identify the
meridians. But no matter what, for clinic practice, if we follow the wholistic view
of traditional Chinese medicine, under the guidance of meridian theory we can always
achieve good clinical results.
Dr. Zhouling Ren, a doctor of traditional Chinese medicine, is founder and president
of the China Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine. She is a professor of the
China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Beijing) and former doctor-in-charge
at Xiyuan hospital (Beijing). For more information, contact her at the China Institute
of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 612-827-7908 or 651-222-1200. Two locations: 3125
Hennepin Ave. S., Minneapolis and 1033 Grand Ave., St. Paul.
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2001 Twin Cities WELLNESS newspaper.
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