Differentiation of Regular Meridian Disharmony
According to TCM, different body parts such as the organs, bones and tissues are linked up by the meridian system, which also tightly connects the internal and external body to make them to work as an organic whole. Blood and qi (vital energy) flowing inside ensures different functions keeping in a coordinated yet harmonious manner. The twelve regular meridians form the framework structure. They connect with and pertain to the organs directly, they are the main pathways in which qi and blood flow along. Disorders of these meridians may affect the corresponding organs; and likewise, disorders of the organs will be reflected in the corresponding meridians. TCM physicians always try to identify which meridian is affected when examining the patients.
When exogenous pathogens attack the body, they can enter the body through the meridians and further reach and damage the internal organs. On the other hand, pathological changes of the internal organs can reflect on body surface through the signal transmission of meridians. As a result, manifestations on the body surface can help TCM physicians identifying which meridians and organs have involved. A syndrome (disharmony pattern) is diagnosed by identifying certain signs and symptoms that emerge along the course of a particular meridian. This is a routine process for clinical judgement and prediction in TCM diagnosis, known as syndrome differentiation on meridians.
Syndrome differentiation on meridians usually focuses on the twelve regular meridians. Since meridian diseases often involve abnormal activities in the organs, blood or qi, syndrome differentiation needs to consider their influences too. This diagnostic method is often applied for acupuncture and moxibustion therapies, and also massage and qi-gong practices.
Generally, pathological changes in the meridians have following features:
- When a meridian is attacked by pathogen, or its qi activities become disturbed, the regions along this meridian will be affected. For example, bladder meridian disharmony can show pain in the back, waist, armpit and heel.
- The symptoms of a diseased meridian are associated with functional state of the corresponding organ. For example, the lung meridian is the leader among other meridians, which is susceptible to exogenous pathogens and results in qi movement disturbances, leading to chest stuffiness, coughing, asthmatic breathing or breathing difficulty. The lung organ fails to regulate the respiratory movements.
- Once a meridian becomes disorder, the other meridians may be affected. For example, disorder in the spleen meridian may present epigastric pain and vomiting after eating, which belong to the symptoms of stomach meridian disharmony.
Based on the above, TCM physicians can identify the underlying causes and pathologies of meridian disorders and draft appropriate treatment plan.
Disharmony patterns of the regular meridians and the associated conditions
1.Arm Tai Yin Lung Meridian
Disharmony pattern: chest fullness, cough, asthmatic breathing, shortness of breath, thirst, vexation, chills and fever, sweating and frequent urination, pain in the fossa above the clavicle, shoulder back and inner arm. For excess pattern, individuals will have check oppression, breathing difficulty and sweating; while deficient pattern will have shortness of breath and throat dryness.
Diseased locations: the throat, lung or chest regions, and other problems along the course of the meridian.
2.Arm Yang Ming Large Intestine Meridian
Disharmony pattern: toothache, sore throat, mouth dryness, nosebleeds, neck swelling, yellow eyes, chills and fever, pain in the anterior lateral part of shoulder, the lateral side of upper limbs, and index fingers. For excess pattern, individuals will have abdominal fullness, flush face and a feverish body; while deficient pattern will noisy bowel movements and diarrhea.
3.Leg Yang Ming Stomach Meridian
Disharmony pattern: fever, aversion to cold, sweating, nosebleeds, lip sores, facial palsy, sore throat, neck swelling, swollen and painful knees, pain in front chest, abdomen and front lower limbs and foot surface. For excess pattern, individuals will have fever, sweating, hunger easily, mental disturbance and yellowish urine; while deficient pattern will have chills and abdominal fullness.
Diseased locations: gastric and intestinal problems, mental problems, ENT diseases, and problems along the course of the meridian.
4.Leg Tai Yin Spleen Meridian
Disharmony pattern: a painful and stiff tongue, poor appetite or vomiting after eating, belching, epigastric pain, abdominal distension, diarrhea or loose bowels, jaundice, sluggishness body, swelling in the inner side of thigh and knees, and impaired motion of the big toe. For excess pattern, individuals will have abdominal fullness, irritability, and poor sleep; while deficient pattern will have diarrhea, noisy bowel movements and vomiting.
Diseased locations: digestive and lower limb problems, and problems along the course of the meridian.
5.Arm Shao Yin Heart Meridian
Disharmony pattern: throat dryness, yellow eyes, excess thirst, vexation, pain in the precordial area, ribcage, and posterior inner side of upper arms. For excess pattern, individuals will have a feverish body; while deficient pattern will have absentmindedness and a depressive mood.
Diseased locations: heart, chest and nerval diseases, and problems along the course of the meridian.
6.Arm Tai Yang Small Intestine Meridian
Disharmony pattern: deafness, ear ringing, yellow eyes, sore throat, swollen gum and cheeks, pain in the neck, shoulder back and posterior lateral aspect of arms. For excess pattern, individuals will have a feverish body, vexation, and mouth sores; while deficient pattern will have chills and migraine headaches.
Diseased locations: head, neck, feverish conditions, mental disorders, and problems along the course of the meridian.
7.Leg Tai Yang Bladder Meridian
Disharmony pattern: fever, aversion to wind and cold, yellow and watery eyes, painful eyes, hemorrhoids, diarrhea, mental disturbance, epilepsy, stiff neck, impaired motion in the legs, and pain in the head, neck, back and lumbar, back of lower limbs and feet.
Diseased locations: head, neck, eyes, nose, back, waist and mental disorders, and problems along the course of the meridian.
8.Leg Shao Yin Kidney Meridian
Disharmony pattern: dark complexion, blurred vision, mouth dryness, sore throat, breathing difficulty, vexation, panic attacks, precordial pain, sleepiness, jaundice, diarrhea, pain in the back, waist, inner side of legs, weakness and coldness in the lower limbs. For excess pattern, individuals will have dragging pain in the back, waist and lower abdomen, fever and dark-yellow urine and warm sole of the foot; while deficient pattern will have panic attack, palpitations and check oppression.
Diseased locations: gynecological diseases, kidney, lung and throat conditions, and problems along the course of the meridian.
9.Arm Jue Yin Pericardium Meridian
Disharmony pattern: flush face, yellow eyes, silly laughing, palpitations with a hollow sensation, pain or feverish sensation in the pericardial area, vexation, chest stuffiness, armpit swelling, and spasms in the upper limbs.
Diseased locations: heart, stomach, chest, and mental disorders, and problems along the course of the meridian.
10.Arm Shao Yang Triple Burner Meridian
Disharmony pattern: deafness, ear ringing, pain in outer portion of eyes, swollen cheeks, and pain behind the ears, shoulder, and lateral aspect of arm and elbow, impaired motion in the littler and ring fingers.
Diseased locations: lateral aspect of the head, ears, eyes, throat and ribcage diseases, feverish conditions, and problems along the course of the meridian.
11.Leg Shao Yang Gall Bladder Meridian
Disharmony pattern: fever, aversion to cold, bitter taste in mouth, dusty complexion, dry skin, sweating, frequent sighing, headache, swelling in the fossa above the clavicle, neck or armpit, pain in outer portion of eyes, jaw, ribcage, lower back, outer thigh and lower legs, impaired motion of the little toe. For excess pattern, individuals will have abdominal fullness, poor appetite, throat dryness, headache with a heavy sensation, chills and ribcage pain; while deficient pattern will have dizziness, weakness or syncope when standing up.
Diseased locations: lateral side of head, ears, eyes, ribcage regions, mental disorders, feverish conditions, and problems along the course of the meridian.
12.Leg Jue Yin Liver Meridian
Disharmony pattern: dusty complexion, fullness in chest and lower abdomen, throat dryness, vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, involuntary leakage of urine, difficulty or pain in passing urine, pain in the inner thigh and waist, and hernia. For excess pattern, individuals will have distention and rigidity in the epigastric region, ribcage pain, urinary retention and easy to anger; while deficient pattern will have abdominal fullness, diarrhea, a depressive mood, irregular menstruation, pain in the waist and abdomen.
Diseased locations: liver and gynecological diseases, and problems along the course of the meridian.
