The running direction and the interconjunction of the twelve regular channels compose the following network : the three yin channels of the hand run from the chest to the hand, connecting with the three yang channels of the hand; the three yang channels of the hand run from the hand to the head, joining with the three yang channels of the foot; the three yang channels of the foot travel from the head to the foot, uniting the three yin channels of the foot; the three yin channels of the foot proceed from the foot up to the abdomen, linking with the three yin channels of the hand.

2. Exterior-Interior relationships and the Order of the Qi Flow in the Channels

The twelve regular channels of the hand yin-yang and foot yin-yang respectively have a connecting relationship with their pertaining zang or fu organ. Specifically, yin channels pertain to zang organs and connect with fu organs, while yang channels pertain to fu organs and connect with zang organs. The exterior-interior relationship of the twelve regular channels is the same as the exterior-interior relationship of the yang and fu organs.

Channels which have an exterior-interior relationship run opposite each other on the lateral and medial aspects of the four limbs (except the liver channel of the Foot-Jueyin and the spleen channel of the Foot-Taiyin which change their position 8 cun above the medial malleolus of the lower limbs). These channels then connect with each other on the hand or foot, forming the six pairs of exteriorly-interiorly related channels of the zang-fu organs. Qi flows continually, circulating throughout the channels in the human body.

Traditional Chinese medicine pages by Raymond Cheng, PhD DPA

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WHAT IS TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE?
DI63-048 (c) Image DJ Image Dictionary

With over 3000 years of experience, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has remain one of the many fascinating areas in ancient Chinese culture. First known to be documented in the Yellow Emperor's Canon of Medicine, TCM is believed to have been practised in as early as 475 to 221 B.C. The field of working knowledge of TCM stretches from anything related to general healthcare practice to the philosophy of the mind, the logic of life, religion, and even to as far as cosmology and astronumerology. This is why in order to thoroughly understand the concepts behind TCM, one must be comprehensive in learning and embracing the Chinese culture as a whole.

Just as Douglas Hoff put it when he explained about accupuncture, "The systems of TCM uses the concepts of elements and meridians and are completely immersed in the Asian cosmology which takes shape through the religions." The meridian-brain mechanism, the fundamental working concept of acupuncture, in which the pain block from the message that the needle or burning cone of herbs gives to the point of stimulus, was only found centuries later by the West through science and technology.

MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR – OCTOBER 2012

Raymond Cheng, PhD DPA Thank you for visiting this TCM and acupuncture information website. If you have previously been to this website, you might have noticed that some of the pages on ancient historical ideas and holistic thinkings related to Chinese metaphysics are temporarily taken offline. This is because I have recently started to revamp the whole website so as to reflect a more current perspective on the interpretation of some of the fundamental concepts as well as to include some of the latest information in the area. But if you have just found this website for the very first time, I welcome you again and wish you could find what you require and, hopefully, you could also be benefitted from reading the articles I published on this website.

Please be patient and do come and check out this website frequently as it's being revamped.

Raymond Cheng, PhD DPA FRSA FRSPH

March 28, 2014.

IMPORTANT NOTICE AND DISCLAIMER

This website is published, edited and designed by Raymond Cheng, PhD DPA and reflects only and only his personal views and opinions in his individual capacity. The information available at this website is not intended directly or by implication to either diagnose or treat any medical, emotional, or psychological condition or disorder. It is also not intended to create a physician-patient relationship between you and I or between you and The Commentary Limited. The information here is not a substitute for advice and treatment provided by your physician or by another healthcare professional. It is always recommended that consultation with local healthcare providers be obtained for any of your specific health or medical concerns. Furthermore, any products that can be purchased (yet you can see I don't have much to sell here) through advertisers' banners or through links to other websites are not either explicitly or implicitly given any warranty or endorsement by me, my colleagues, The Commentary Limited or any of its associated businesses.