Copyright Leon Hammer, MD 1 The Extraordinary Acupuncture Meridians: Homeostatic Vessels By Leon I. Hammer, MD. First published in the American Journal of Acupuncture, Vol. 8, No. 2, June 1980 Abstract: This paper concerns itself with functions, indications, and techniques related to the theoretical and practical understanding and use of the eight meridians known as homeostatic or extraordinary meridians. The deep and superficial pathways of each meridian are discussed in connection with their function and use, as well as a mapping of the endocrine (pituitary, adrenal cortex, medulla, thyroid, ovaries, and testes) functions and psychiatric indications. Another aspect of the presentation concerns their function in terms of the overall body energy, and specifically, their indication in particular disease states. The general and specific rules of usage for these meridians is covered in detail. The object is to stimulate further usage and study of their meaning and value to Chinese medicine. The material presented here was obtained from a variety of sources. Primary credit is to be given to Dr. J. B. Van Buren, Director of the International College of Oriental Medicine in Gerrards Cross, England. Other material comes from disparate references, no one of which, except Lavier, offer more than a few minor points to the general material offered by Dr. Van Buren. Other authors such as Dr. Claude Darras of Paris, France, have contributed considerable work to this subject, but have not responded to requests for their papers. 1 It is assumed, therefore, that much more is known and being studied beyond that which is included in this work. History Little is known about these channels prior to the Ming period. Knowledge of these meridians is generally ascribed to Li-Shi Zhen, who is said to have lived from 1518 to 1593. In 1572 a book called Qi Jing Ba Mai Chao was published describing the eight special meridians. It is recorded that Li-Shi Zhen remarked in his time that any Chinese physician who did not use these special meridians was indeed not truly practicing the highest form of Chinese medicine. Politics in medicine were no less emotional in those days than at the present time, and Li-Shi Zhen was assassinated by a group of his fellow physicians while talking a walk, apparently in the neighborhood of his own home. Until the present time relatively little may be found in the literature about these special meridians. It was the work of European students of Oriental medicine that has brought them into their present more extensive use. It has been my experience, however, in observing a traditional Chinese physician in his regular practice, that he does indeed use the master points of the special meridians more frequently than any other points in his repertoire, for a wide variety of problems. The knowledge, therefore, has probably been used and passed down without formal recognition as extraordinary meridians from master to pupil for at least the period of time since 1572. 1 Dr. Manaka’s work was encountered in July of 1978, several years after the original presentation of his paper in March 1975 at the Third World Acupuncture Conference. This work, including its application in pain management with the use of diodes, is summarized coincidentally in an article by Dr. Willem Khoe (American Journal of Acupuncture, Vol.6, No.1, March 1978). Dr. Felix Mann’s book, “The Meridians of Acupuncture,” was consulted for some indications and is recommended.
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Copyright Leon Hammer, MD
1
The Extraordinary Acupuncture Meridians: Homeostatic Vessels
By Leon I. Hammer, MD.
First published in the American Journal of Acupuncture, Vol. 8, No. 2, June 1980
Abstract: This paper concerns itself with functions, indications, and techniques related to the
theoretical and practical understanding and use of the eight meridians known as homeostatic or
extraordinary meridians. The deep and superficial pathways of each meridian are discussed in
connection with their function and use, as well as a mapping of the endocrine (pituitary, adrenal
cortex, medulla, thyroid, ovaries, and testes) functions and psychiatric indications. Another
aspect of the presentation concerns their function in terms of the overall body energy, and
specifically, their indication in particular disease states. The general and specific rules of usage
for these meridians is covered in detail. The object is to stimulate further usage and study of
their meaning and value to Chinese medicine.
The material presented here was obtained from a variety of sources. Primary credit is to be given
to Dr. J. B. Van Buren, Director of the International College of Oriental Medicine in Gerrards
Cross, England. Other material comes from disparate references, no one of which, except Lavier,
offer more than a few minor points to the general material offered by Dr. Van Buren. Other
authors such as Dr. Claude Darras of Paris, France, have contributed considerable work to this
subject, but have not responded to requests for their papers.1 It is assumed, therefore, that much
more is known and being studied beyond that which is included in this work.
History
Little is known about these channels prior to the Ming period. Knowledge of these meridians is
generally ascribed to Li-Shi Zhen, who is said to have lived from 1518 to 1593. In 1572 a book
called Qi Jing Ba Mai Chao was published describing the eight special meridians.
It is recorded that Li-Shi Zhen remarked in his time that any Chinese physician who did not use
these special meridians was indeed not truly practicing the highest form of Chinese medicine.
Politics in medicine were no less emotional in those days than at the present time, and Li-Shi
Zhen was assassinated by a group of his fellow physicians while talking a walk, apparently in the
neighborhood of his own home. Until the present time relatively little may be found in the
literature about these special meridians. It was the work of European students of Oriental
medicine that has brought them into their present more extensive use. It has been my experience,
however, in observing a traditional Chinese physician in his regular practice, that he does indeed
use the master points of the special meridians more frequently than any other points in his
repertoire, for a wide variety of problems. The knowledge, therefore, has probably been used and
passed down without formal recognition as extraordinary meridians from master to pupil for at
least the period of time since 1572.
1 Dr. Manaka’s work was encountered in July of 1978, several years after the original presentation of his paper in
March 1975 at the Third World Acupuncture Conference. This work, including its application in pain management
with the use of diodes, is summarized coincidentally in an article by Dr. Willem Khoe (American Journal of
Acupuncture, Vol.6, No.1, March 1978). Dr. Felix Mann’s book, “The Meridians of Acupuncture,” was consulted
for some indications and is recommended.
Copyright Leon Hammer, MD
2
Terminology
1. Homeostatic Meridians.
As described under function, these meridians serve the function of maintaining homeostasis. This
is my original name applied to these vessels.
2. Extra Meridians.
This term developed out of their apparent discovery considerably later than the twelve regular
meridians, and they have been considered as extra to these regular channels.
3. Odd Meridians.
The reason for this name is that some of them, such as the Ren mai, the Du mai, and the Dai mai,
are not paired. These are single vessels.
4. Miraculous Meridians.
This name was applied to these meridians by the French because they were observed to be able
to create therapeutic effects when all other techniques had failed.
5. The Eight Psychic Channels.
Each of these channels exerts a strong effect upon psychic function. Individually, the command
points are among the most important psychological points in the body.
6. Special Meridians.
They are referred to as special for the same reason that they are called miraculous and extra, in
that they are apart from the twelve regular meridians, and have a more powerful effect than the
regular channels.
7. Comprehensive Points.
The effect is more comprehensive on the body and mind than that of the twelve main meridians.
General Physiological Functions
These meridians have three main physiological functions. First, they are regarded as reservoirs of
energy. (An analogy to bodies of water is as follows: the twelve regular meridians would be
considered rivers and the eight extra meridians would be considered lakes or seas with tidal
flow). Second, they functions to store energy for the body, regulate, receive and give excess
energy, and retain energy (to prevent dispersion) as the body needs it, in order to maintain
homeostasis, both in health and during illness. Third, they function to drain and eliminate
aggressive energy as part of the homeostasis function.
General Properties
The extraordinary meridians have no internal organs of their own, as the twelve main meridians
do, though they are all related nevertheless to the internal organs. They have no points of their
own, except for the Ren mai and the Du mai; and they also have no element command points as
Copyright Leon Hammer, MD
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do the twelve regular meridians. Each has a Master point, with the exception of the Yang Qiao
(BL-62) and Yin Qiao (KI-6), which are not to be found as regular points on these special
meridians.2 All their points, with the exception of the Du and Ren vessels, are taken from the
twelve regular meridians; only these latter two include Luo or connecting points. These Luo
points are the principal links between the other six extra meridians and the twelve main
meridians. Each of these meridians also communicates with the others through deeper
anastomatic channels, and the direction of the flow is tide-like. The Ren mai, Du mai and Chong
mai have the same origin in the abdomen, more specifically in the uterus. The Conception Vessel
covers the front part of the body. The Du mai covers the back part of the body. The Chong mai
flows with the Kidney meridian both up and down to Yongquan (KI-l). The Qiao mai are the yin
and yang of the left and the right sides of the body. The Wei mai are the yin and yang of the
internal and external parts of the body.
General Indications
I. Use when treatment with the twelve regular meridians has failed.
2. Endocrine Treatment: The treatment of endocrine and hormonal problems in Chinese
medicine is primarily through the use of these extra meridians. Each of them is related to one or
more particular endocrine gland.
3. Use to destroy aggressive energy that cannot be dealt with by the use of the twelve regular
meridians.
4. Use when there is a multiplicity of deficiencies all in the same direction.
5. Use when the pulses are balanced but the patient is still sick.
6. Use for chronic diseases, especially when the body is extremely depleted of energy, where
there are metabolic disorders and severe psychic strain and where the use of many needles would
further weaken the patient.
7. If there is a particular regular meridian that is in difficulty and cannot respond to the treatment
of that meridian through other means, that meridian can be treated with the extra meridian which
has as one of its points, a point on that troubled meridian. Most particularly this is true if the
extra meridian has many points on it from the regular meridian.
Rules of Procedure
1. These vessels are always used in pairs. For example, the master point of the Ren mai is always
used with a couple point, the master point of the Yin Qiao. This is a European concept.
2. The master point of each of these meridians is a distal point on the limbs. Only one master and
one couple point are used. The master point is placed first on the side of the sex. For a woman
2 Each of these master points, with the exception of Kidney 6 and Bladder 62, are Luo (connecting) points on one of
the twelve regular meridians.
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this is the right side and for a man it is the left side. The couple point is placed on the opposite
side.
3. The master and couple points in pairs are such that one is in the hand and the other is in the
foot, so that, as explained, if a needle will be in the hand on one side of the body, the other
needle will be in the opposite foot.
4. The needles are inserted vertically. There is no manipulation of the needle.
5. The master point is inserted first-several minutes are allowed to pass before the couple point
needle is inserted.
6. Needles are retained until the meridian, which is ascendant on the Chinese clock, is felt
strongly and positively on the pulse. For example, if this is done at 11 a.m., the needles would be
retained at most until the Heart meridian pulse was felt to be strong and of good quality relative
to how it was at the outset. The needles would then be removed even if the other pulses were not
as good.
7. One can use any other point on the extra meridian along with master and couple points.
8. One may not use any other points on the body with the exception of Yin Qiao when KI-18 and
BL-l may be used to stimulate the endocrine system.
9. The needles are generally left for a considerably longer period of time than with the use of the
regular meridian, approximately one hour.
10. Upon removal, the couple point needle is removed first, several minutes are allowed to pass
and the master point needle is then removed.
11. The extra meridian is best balanced by using its counterpart for a period of approximately
five minutes. For example, if the Ren mai is used in a woman with LU- 7 on the right and KI-6
on the left, at the end of this treatment it should be balanced by using the Yin Qiao; that is, by
putting the needle first in KI-6 on the right and LU- 7 on the left for five minutes. (All other rules
are applicable here).
12. Time between treatments varies with the individual meridians and the individual problem. It
is not standard.
13. Moxa is contraindicated.
14. " An extra meridian may be emptied of its excess of energy by stimulating its master point. If
this has not corrected the general yin-yang equilibrium of the pulse, the couple point is
stimulated. If this has still not given the desired result, the midline extra meridian (Ren mai or
Du mai) of the opposite sign is used. This alternative rests on the fact that the excess energy of
the one sign flows into the midline extra meridian of the opposite sign.
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It is usually not necessary to go through all three stages of treatment; usually the first one
suffices. The extraordianary meridians may also be emptied of their excess energy by stimulating
both ends of the meridian at the same time. Either the point at the extreme end, or the
penultimate point should be used. A further guide as to deciding which extra meridian should be
used is given by a consideration of the pulse as a whole. If there is a predominance of yang, a
yang extra meridian should be used, or if there is a predominance of yin, a yin extra meridian
should be used.
If the pulses show a predominance of yang and the symptom index suggests a yin extra meridian,
say Ren mai, the opposite yang meridian should be used which, in this case, would be Du mai."3
Discussion of the Meridians
The eight extra meridians are named: Ren mai, Du mai, Yin Wei, Yang Wei, Yin Qiao, Yang
Qiao, Chong mai, and Dai mai. The form of this discussion will be as follows :
MERIDIAN NAME
Command Points.
Other Names.
Pathways:
1. origin
2. main channel
3. anastomatic channel
4. deep channel
5. Luo point, where applicable
Functions:
1. meridian system
2. anatomical
3. physiological
a. general
b. endocrine - direct and indirect
c. neuropsychological
Indications:
1. specific physical symptoms
2. psychological, where applicable
Specific Points.
Rules.
I. Ren mai
Command Points:
1. Master point - LU-7 (Host).
2. Couple point - KI-6 (Guest).
3 Felix Mann, “The Meridians of Acupuncture.”
Copyright Leon Hammer, MD
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Names:
1. Conception Vessel.
2. Sea of yin.
Pathways:
1. origin- Kidney (uterus).
2. main channel- Ren-l to Ren-24.
3. anastomatic channel- Ren-9, Ren-12, Ren17 to LU-l (to collect excessive energy excess from
lung. Real irrigation system of Conception Vessel).
4. deep channel - Ren-24 - Ren-28 (dual path to ST-l - interior of eyes and connecting to Yang
Qiao mai).
5. Luo point - Ren-15.
Functions:
1. meridian system
a. controls yin-jing
b. prevents slackening of yin
c. strengthens action of Triple Heater through Ren-5, 7,12,17.