8 Extraordinary Channels

[Charlotta Menchaca]

Meridiansare not real anatomical structures: scientists have found no evidence that supports their existence.[2] One historian of medicine in China says that the term is "completely unsuitable and misguided, but nonetheless it has become a standard translation."[3] Major proponents of their existence have not come to any consensus as to how they might work or be tested in a scientific context.

The meridian network is typically divided into two categories, the jingmai (經脈) or meridian channels and the luomai (絡脈) or associated vessels (sometimes called "collaterals"). The jingmai contain the 12 tendinomuscular meridians, the 12 divergent meridians, the 12 principal meridians, the eight extraordinary vessels as well as the Huato channel, a set of bilateral points on the lower back whose discovery is attributed to the ancient physician Hua Tuo. The collaterals contain 15 major arteries that connect the 12 principal meridians in various ways, in addition to the interaction with their associated internal Zung Fu (臟腑) organs and other related internal structures. The collateral system also incorporates a branching expanse of capillary-like vessels which spread throughout the body, namely in the 12 cutaneous regions as well as emanating from each point on the principal meridians. If one counts the number of unique points on each meridian, the total comes to 361, which matches the number of days in a year, in the moon calendar system. Note that this method ignores the fact that the bulk of acupoints are bilateral, making the actual total 670.

There are about 400 acupuncture points (not counting bilateral points twice) most of which are situated along the major 20 pathways (i.e. 12 primary and eight extraordinary channels). However, by the second Century AD, 649 acupuncture points were recognized in China (reckoned by counting bilateral points twice).[4][5] There are "12 Principal Meridians" where each meridian corresponds to either a hollow or solid organ; interacting with it and extending along a particular extremity (i.e. arm or leg). There are also "Eight Extraordinary Channels", two of which have their own sets of points, and the remaining ones connecting points on other channels.

The 12 standard meridians, also called Principal Meridians, are divided into Yin and Yang groups. The Yin meridians of the arm are the Lung, Heart, and Pericardium. The Yang meridians of the arm are the Large Intestine, Small Intestine, and Triple Burner. The Yin Meridians of the leg are the Spleen, Kidney, and Liver. The Yang meridians of the leg are Stomach, Bladder, and Gall Bladder.[6]

The eight extraordinary meridians are of pivotal importance to the study of Traditional Chinese medicine that incorporates the modalities and practices of Qigong, Taijiquan and Chinese alchemy.[8] These eight extra meridians differ from the standard twelve organ meridians in that they are considered to be storage vessels likened to oceans, fields, or reservoirs of energy that are not associated directly with the Zang Fu, i.e. internal organs but have a general influence upon them. Within Traditional Chinese medicine they are thought to bring about large functional and physiological changes within clinical practice. These channels were studied in the "Spiritual Axis" chapters 17, 21 and 62, the "Classic of Difficulties" chapters 27, 28 and 29 and the "Study of the 8 Extraordinary vessels" (Qi Jing Ba Mai Kao), written in 1578.[9]

Scientists have found no evidence that supports their existence.[2] The historian of medicine in China Paul U. Unschuld adds that there "is no evidence of a concept of 'energy' -- either in the strictly physical sense or even in the more colloquial sense -- anywhere in Chinese medical theory." [11]

Some advocates of traditional Chinese medicine believe that meridians function as electrical conduits based on observations that the electrical impedance of a current through meridians is lower than other areas of the body. A 2008 review of studies found that the studies were of poor quality and could not support the claims.[12]

Some proponents of the Primo Vascular System propose that the putative primo vessels, very thin (less than 30 μm wide) conduits found in many mammals, may be a factor explaining some of the suggested effects of the meridian system.[13][14]

According to Steven Novella, neurologist involved in the Skeptical movement, "there is no evidence that the meridians actually exist. At the risk of sounding redundant, they are as made up and fictional as the ether, phlogiston, Bigfoot, and unicorns."[1]

Traditional Chinese Medicine utilizies a number of theories which group acupuncture points together based on their functions and/or other relationships. Many of these theories are important in a clinical setting and are used, along with other theory and diagnostic information, to decide which acupuncture points will be used for a given condition.

The extraordinary vessels run "behind" the 12 main meridians. They interconnect with the 12 meridians and correspondingly allow for broad and deep effects within the body. 6 of the 8 extraordinary vessels has a master and coupled point on a pair of the main meridians. The Governing Vessel and the Conception Vessel, however, have their own points. The extraordinary vessels are used extensively within Japanese acupuncture, in particular with Dr. Manaka's ion pumping cord treatments.

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Potassium channels (KChs) are the most diverse ion channels, in part due to extensive combinatorial assembly of a large number of principal and auxiliary subunits into an assortment of KCh complexes. Their structural and functional diversity allows KChs to play diverse roles in neuronal function. Localization of KChs within specialized neuronal compartments defines their physiological role and also fundamentally impacts their activity, due to localized exposure to diverse cellular determinants of channel function. Recent studies in mammalian brain reveal an exquisite refinement of KCh subcellular localization. This includes axonal KChs at the initial segment, and near/within nodes of Ranvier and presynaptic terminals, dendritic KChs found at sites reflecting specific synaptic input, and KChs defining novel neuronal compartments. Painting the remarkable diversity of KChs onto the complex architecture of mammalian neurons creates an elegant picture of electrical signal processing underlying the sophisticated function of individual neuronal compartments, and ultimately neurotransmission and behavior.

In the Chinese approach, they are seen as constitutional vessels, representing the link between pre-heaven (inherited) energies, and post-heaven (acquired) energies. Energy circulation in the Eight Extra channels help to maintain the inner equilibrium of qi, blood and distribution of jing. Part of their importance is to handle overflow and excess of qi and blood from primary channel system. In the Nanjing, the 8 Extra were described as reservoirs in case of primary channel depletion, and as reservoirs in case of primary channel excess. In this regard, they can absorb and transfer excess during blockages in the primary channel network. They do this where 8 Extra channels cross the Primary channels. Some sources believe that the 8 Extra cross the Primary channel points at the yuan-source points, allowing access to reservoirs of yuan qi from the 8 Extra network.

Although the 8 Extras were discussed in the medical classics, they did not come into clinical use until the 14th century, when it was seen that 8 Extras could be influenced by treating points of the Primary channels.

Besides the command points, each of the eight channels connect to primary channels. In both the Chinese and Japanese approaches, these connections are often used to reinforce or develop an Eight Extra treatment, combining with a traditional Command point.

David Twicken, a contemporary scholar on secondary channels, has devoted considerable thought in his book, Eight Extraordinary Channels (2013, Singing Dragon). First, he proposes a layering system for channel systems from superficial to deep.

This runs counter to the modern Japanese approach that we are using in the 3-Level Acupuncture Protocol, where the Divergent Channel networks runs deeper than the Eight Extraordinary Channel network, but this sequence is faithful to the classical Chinese understanding.

Hamid Montakab, MD, in his book Acupuncture Point and Channel Energetics (Kiener, 2014), displays 8 Extra circulation by seeing the body as a sphere. Du Mai circulates up the back, Ren Mai circulates energy down the front. Yinwei goes up the inside of the sphere; Yangwei goes down the inside of the sphere. Yinqiao goes up the outside of the sphere, and Yangqiao goes down the outside of the sphere. Chong mai goes up and down the center, and the Dai Mai links around the sphere. I incorporate this into an 8 Extra qi gong, which we will talk about in a future blog.

Yoshio Manaka developed an 8 Extra channel approach as a stand-alone therapy. He started by discussing the embryological role of the 8 Extra channels, allowing energy to move and develop in the fetus. Classical Chinese texts allow that the Eight Extraordinary Channels act as pathways by which qi and blood distribute in the embryo, but Manaka went further by saying that the 8 Channels were the only network in the embryo, acting as an origin for a Primary Channel system. This Primary Channel circulation emerges after birth, reaching full maturity by age 3.

For maintaining health, Manaka pointed out the importance of keeping the polarities in balance in a four-quadrant structure, as a fundamental way to promote and maintain health. In a simple understanding of his octahedron model, he proposed the following:

Manaka determined that the 8 Extra network was a simpler and more fundamental network, developing at the earliest embryologic stages. Accordingly, the manipulation of the four-quadrant body would have much deeper clinical affects then traditional Primary channel treatment. This manipulation was best accomplished through the 8 Extra pairings, using ion-pumping cords.

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