TCM · Meridians · Acupoints · Channels · Qi Flow

Meridians & Acupoints

The energetic anatomy of the body — a network of channels through which Qi flows, nourishing every organ and tissue, connecting the surface to the deep, the top to the bottom, the inside to the outside. Two thousand years of clinical mapping, now being verified by modern research.

Not metaphor — functional anatomy: Meridians are not fictional constructs. Research using techniques including infrared thermography, electrical conductance measurement and fluorescent tracer injection has documented pathways that correspond to the classical meridian routes. The mechanisms are not fully understood, but the pathways are real — and the clinical results of working with them have been documented for millennia.

Section 01

What Meridians Are

Meridians (经络 — Jīng Luò) are the channels and collaterals through which Qi, Blood and other vital substances circulate throughout the body. The word Jing means "to pass through" — these are the major highways of the body's energetic network. Luò means "net" or "connecting" — the collaterals are the smaller branches that extend from the main channels into the superficial tissues.

The meridian system is not separate from the physical body — it is the functional dimension of the physical body. Every organ, tissue and cell is reached by the meridian network. The major meridians run in bilateral pairs (one on each side of the body) along predictable routes. Acupoints are specific locations on the meridians where the Qi is most accessible to the surface — points where the network can be influenced, cleared, tonified or redirected.

The complete meridian system includes the 12 primary meridians (one for each major organ), 8 extraordinary vessels, 12 divergent meridians, 15 major collaterals and numerous smaller branches. For clinical purposes, the 12 primary meridians and 8 extraordinary vessels are the most important. The 365 classical acupoints are distributed across these channels — though modern TCM uses over 2,000 additional extra points.

The meridians determine life and death. Through them the hundred diseases may be treated and deficiencies and excesses adjusted.

— Huangdi Neijing Lingshu (Spiritual Pivot), c. 100 BCE
Section 02

The 12 Primary Meridians

The 12 primary meridians each correspond to a major organ, an element, a Yin/Yang polarity and a two-hour period of peak activity in the 24-hour cycle. They flow in a continuous circuit through the body — Qi completing one full circuit every 24 hours, with peak activity in each meridian for two hours.

肺
Lung Meridian
LU · 11 points · Yin · Metal
Runs from the chest to the thumb. Governs respiration, Qi distribution, the skin and the body's relationship to the external environment. The Lung is the first line of defence against external pathogens and the organ most vulnerable to grief and sadness.
Peak: 3–5am Emotion: Grief Tissue: Skin Season: Autumn
大
Large Intestine Meridian
LI · 20 points · Yang · Metal
Runs from the index finger to the face (ending beside the nostril). Governs elimination and the letting go of what is no longer needed — physically and emotionally. LI 4 (Hegu) is one of the most powerful and widely used acupoints in the entire system.
Peak: 5–7am Paired with: Lung Function: Elimination
胃
Stomach Meridian
ST · 45 points · Yang · Earth
The longest Yang meridian — runs from under the eye to the second toe. Governs the receiving and decomposing of food (Rottening and Ripening). When the Stomach is deficient, the entire body suffers — digestion is the foundation of Post-Heaven Qi production.
Peak: 7–9am Emotion: Worry (excess) Tissue: Muscles
脾
Spleen Meridian
SP · 21 points · Yin · Earth
Runs from the big toe to the chest. The Spleen is the central organ of digestion in TCM — transforming food into Qi and Blood, keeping Blood in the vessels and lifting the organs. Spleen Qi deficiency is the most common pattern in modern Western patients.
Peak: 9–11am Emotion: Overthinking Tissue: Muscles
心
Heart Meridian
HT · 9 points · Yin · Fire
Runs from the armpit to the little finger. The Heart is the Emperor organ — it houses the Shen (spirit/mind) and governs the blood vessels and the health of all relationships. Heart pathology in TCM almost always has a mental-emotional dimension.
Peak: 11am–1pm Emotion: Joy (excess → mania) Houses: Shen
小
Small Intestine Meridian
SI · 19 points · Yang · Fire
Runs from the little finger to the face (in front of the ear). Governs the separation of pure from impure — both physically (separating nutrients from waste) and mentally (clarity of thought and discernment). SI problems often manifest in the neck, shoulder and ear.
Peak: 1–3pm Function: Discernment Area: Neck/Shoulder
膀
Bladder Meridian
BL · 67 points · Yang · Water
The longest meridian in the body — runs from the inner corner of the eye, over the head, down the entire back in two parallel lines, and to the little toe. The back-shu points (organ reflex points on the back) are located on this meridian, making it essential for treating all internal organ conditions.
Peak: 3–5pm Emotion: Fear 67 points
腎
Kidney Meridian
KD · 27 points · Yin · Water
Runs from the sole of the foot (KD 1 — Yongquan, the only point on the sole) to the chest. The Kidneys store Jing, govern growth and reproduction, and are the root of Yin and Yang for the entire body. Kidney deficiency is the root pattern in all chronic, degenerative conditions.
Peak: 5–7pm Stores: Jing Root of: Yin & Yang
心包
Pericardium Meridian
PC · 9 points · Yin · Fire
Runs from the chest to the middle finger. The Pericardium protects the Heart — it takes the hit so the Emperor is not directly injured. In emotional terms, it mediates the Heart's relationships — particularly romantic love. PC 6 (Neiguan) is one of the most important clinical points: nausea, anxiety, palpitations, motion sickness.
Peak: 7–9pm Protects: Heart PC 6: Key point
三焦
Triple Burner Meridian
TB · 23 points · Yang · Fire
Runs from the ring finger to the temple. The Triple Burner (San Jiao) is unique — it has no anatomical equivalent in Western medicine. It governs the three body cavities (upper, middle, lower) and the transformation and transportation of fluids through them. It coordinates the body's overall metabolic activity.
Peak: 9–11pm Governs: Fluid metabolism No Western equivalent
膽
Gallbladder Meridian
GB · 44 points · Yang · Wood
Runs from the outer corner of the eye, zigzagging across the side of the head, down the lateral side of the body to the fourth toe. The Gallbladder governs decision-making and courage — "courage comes from the Gallbladder" in Chinese idiom. Headaches along the temporal and lateral head are often Gallbladder meridian issues.
Peak: 11pm–1am Governs: Decision-making Element: Wood
肝
Liver Meridian
LR · 14 points · Yin · Wood
Runs from the big toe to the chest (hypochondriac area). The Liver stores Blood, ensures the smooth flow of Qi throughout the body, and governs the tendons. Liver Qi stagnation — frustration, suppressed anger, stress-related symptoms — is the most common diagnosis in contemporary urban patients.
Peak: 1–3am Emotion: Anger/Frustration Stores: Blood
Section 03

The 8 Extraordinary Vessels

The 8 extraordinary vessels (奇經八脈 — Qí Jīng Bā Mài) are the deeper, more fundamental channels that underlie the 12 primary meridians. They are like reservoirs — when the primary meridians overflow with Qi and Blood, the extraordinary vessels store the excess; when the primary meridians are deficient, the extraordinary vessels release their reserves. They also govern the deepest aspects of constitutional health — development, reproduction and the major life transitions.

Du Mai — Governing Vessel
督脈 · GV · Yang sea
Runs up the midline of the back, over the head and to the upper lip. Governs all Yang meridians and the spine, brain and Shen. GV 20 (Baihui) at the crown is one of the most important points in the system.
Ren Mai — Conception Vessel
任脈 · CV · Yin sea
Runs up the midline of the front of the body from the perineum to below the lower lip. Governs all Yin meridians and is especially important in reproductive health, pregnancy and the nourishment of Yin substances.
Chong Mai — Penetrating Vessel
衝脈 · Sea of Blood
The "sea of blood and Qi" — connects the Kidneys to the Heart and is fundamental to reproductive function in both men and women. Disharmony in the Chong Mai underlies many gynaecological conditions and emotional disturbances.
Dai Mai — Belt Vessel
帶脈 · Horizontal channel
The only horizontal channel — encircles the waist like a belt, binding all the vertical meridians together. When the Dai Mai is weak, the other channels "leak" downward, causing vaginal discharge, weakness in the lower body and a sense of the torso being unsupported.
Yin Qiao Mai & Yang Qiao Mai
陰蹻脈 / 陽蹻脈 · Heel vessels
The two heel vessels govern the movement and agility of the lower body and the opening and closing of the eyes — and hence sleep-wake cycles and the body's relationship to its environment.
Yin Wei Mai & Yang Wei Mai
陰維脈 / 陽維脈 · Linking vessels
The two linking vessels connect and regulate all the Yin and Yang meridians respectively. They play an important role in coordinating the body's response to external pathogens and maintaining the integrity of the body's energetic boundaries.
Section 04

Essential Acupoints

Of the 365 classical acupoints, a relatively small number account for the majority of clinical use. These are the points that every practitioner — and every person interested in self-care — should know. Each has a specific location, specific needling technique and a range of clinical applications that have been documented over centuries.

LI 4 — Hegu
Joining Valley
合谷 · In the web between thumb and index finger
One of the four command points — commands the face and mouth. Among the most powerful points in the system for releasing exterior pathogenic factors, stopping pain anywhere in the body, and regulating the face and head. Used in almost every acupuncture treatment.
Headache · Toothache · Facial pain · Common cold · Labour induction · General pain relief
ST 36 — Zusanli
Leg Three Miles
足三里 · Below the knee, lateral to the tibia
The most important tonification point in the body — traditionally moxaed daily for longevity and general vitality. Said to give the energy to walk three more miles when exhausted. Tonifies Qi and Blood, strengthens the Spleen and Stomach, boosts immunity, and treats virtually any condition involving deficiency.
Fatigue · Digestive disorders · Immune deficiency · Longevity · Post-illness recovery · Anaemia
PC 6 — Neiguan
Inner Gate
內關 · 3 finger-widths above the wrist crease, between the tendons
The master point of the Pericardium meridian and the coupled point of the Chong Mai. One of the most versatile and powerful points in the system — calms the Heart, regulates Qi in the chest, stops nausea and vomiting, and settles the Shen. The point used in acupressure wristbands for motion sickness.
Nausea · Palpitations · Anxiety · Chest tightness · Insomnia · Motion sickness · Emotional distress
SP 6 — Sanyinjiao
Three Yin Intersection
三陰交 · 3 finger-widths above the inner ankle
The meeting point of the three leg Yin meridians (Spleen, Kidney, Liver) — making it one of the most versatile points in the system. Nourishes Yin, Blood and Jing simultaneously. Essential in gynaecology, for digestive disorders and for any condition involving Yin deficiency. Contraindicated in pregnancy.
Menstrual disorders · Insomnia · Digestive issues · Oedema · Skin conditions · Yin deficiency
GV 20 — Baihui
Hundred Meetings
百會 · Crown of the head
The meeting point of all Yang meridians at the crown of the head — the highest point of the body and the point most connected to heaven. Lifts Yang Qi, clears the mind, calms the Shen and treats prolapse conditions (when Yang is too weak to hold organs in position). Also used in scalp acupuncture for neurological conditions.
Mental clarity · Depression · Prolapse · Headache · Dizziness · Shen disturbance · Stroke rehabilitation
KD 1 — Yongquan
Bubbling Spring
湧泉 · Centre of the sole of the foot
The well point of the Kidney meridian and the only acupoint on the sole of the foot — the place where the Kidney meridian emerges from the earth. Grounds excess Yang from the head, revives consciousness in collapse, nourishes Kidney Yin and calms the mind. A key point for grounding practices and self-massage.
Grounding · Hypertension · Dizziness · Insomnia · Hot flushes · Anxiety · Emergency resuscitation
LR 3 — Taichong
Great Surge
太衝 · In the web between the first and second toes
The source point of the Liver meridian — one of the most important points for moving Liver Qi stagnation, the most common pattern in modern stressed populations. Combined with LI 4 (the "Four Gates"), it powerfully moves Qi and Blood throughout the entire body, clears pain and releases tension.
Stress · Frustration · PMS · Headache · Eye problems · High blood pressure · Liver Qi stagnation
Section 05 — Reference

The TCM Organ Clock

Each meridian has a two-hour window of peak Qi activity in the 24-hour cycle. Understanding the organ clock helps explain why symptoms often occur at specific times — and provides guidance for timing treatments and lifestyle practices for maximum effect.

TimeMeridianFunction peakCommon symptom if disturbed
3–5amLungRespiratory function, Qi distributionWaking with cough, asthma, grief surfacing
5–7amLarge IntestineElimination — ideal bowel movement timeConstipation, incomplete elimination
7–9amStomachDigestion — most important meal of the dayNausea, poor appetite in the morning
9–11amSpleenTransformation and transportation of nutrientsFatigue after eating, bloating, brain fog
11am–1pmHeartPeak circulation, mental clarityPalpitations, anxiety, poor concentration
1–3pmSmall IntestineSorting and assimilationAfternoon slump, cloudy thinking
3–5pmBladderFluid metabolism, back musclesBack pain, afternoon fatigue, headache
5–7pmKidneyStoring essence, bone healthLower back ache, fear, second wind
7–9pmPericardiumEmotional processing, cardiac restPalpitations, anxiety, relationship tension
9–11pmTriple BurnerFluid balance, temperature regulationDifficulty unwinding, feeling wired
11pm–1amGallbladderBile secretion, decision restorationWaking at this time = Gallbladder issue
1–3amLiverBlood cleansing, repair, planningWaking angry or with racing thoughts
Connections
Qi & Vital Substances Five Elements in the Body Acupuncture Tongue & Pulse Diagnosis Cupping & Gua Sha Qigong & Tai Chi Chakras & Energy Systems The Gut Microbiome
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