Understanding meridians

[Princesa Z]

Hello,

After reading a couple of threads about meridians and being recommended a very good book by Inge Dougans, I've started reading up on them as it was not something covered in my AoR accredited course.

I'm a teensy bit confused though. The book (and websites I've looked at) talk about the stomach meridian or the large intestine or any of the others in the singular, and diagrams only show one line up or down the body. However, would there not be, for example, two stomach meridians, on each side of the body, or two large intestine merdians both running up from the right and left index fingers to either side of the nose etc? If so, why don't diagrams show this?

Sorry if this is a bit of a dense question but it just got me thinking on the train and I couldn't quite work it out.

Thanks
Sx

 

[Aelic Art]

Hi Sarah

Yes there are two lines for the stomach and large intestine meridians - on right and left side of the body. I haven't got a clue why diagrams don't show this. Is this in the reflexology book that you mentioned. When I have had acupuncture and stomach 36 (if my memory serves me well) was needled - needles were applied on both sides of the body.

Love Binah
xx

 

[PeruBoliviaTravel]

Hi

Yes the 12 organ-meridians are bi-lateral, ie Stomach meridian runs both sides of the body. The reason a meridian is shown on one side is simply for clarity.

Best Wishes

RP

 

[jacobandalex]

Thanks for the clarifications. Much easier to understand now

 

[please try again]

Ok, I've been reading a bit more and have a few more queries, in particular relating to a client of mine. She has shingles, well actually its post-herpectc neuralgia which starts under her left breast and wraps round her left side to her spine.

Am I right in thinking this area is covered by both the stomach meridian and gall bladder meridian? If so, from a reflexology point of view that means I should do some extra work over the stomach and gall bladder reflex, yes? From a general lifestyle point of view, does this necessarily mean that there is an issue with her actual stomach and gall bladder or not - perhaps is she eating too much acidic food that is affecting the stomach and gall bladder?

Your thoughts would be most welcome

Thank you

Sx

 

[DeborahGomez]

Boing!

Would be grateful for some thoughts on the above

 

[Robert Haphazard]

Hi Sarah

Sorry cannot help on this one - as I don't mix reflexology with acupuncture. I see acupuncture as a very complete system and I have found it to be a very effective treatment with all its diagnostic techniques.

However, my thoughts on reflexes would be to work diaphragm, spleen, endocrine glands, spine.

Binah
x

 

[kibastryker]

Hi Sarah

Traditional Chinese Medicine is a complex subject and not always logical, especially to us westerners.

Meridians are like motorways (meridians) connecting towns (organs) with smaller roads (connecting branches) etc. For example: the M5 connects Bristol to Exeter. Then at Exeter the M5 connects into the A38 and A30 and go off to many other towns, villages and road systems.

The 12 meridians are associated with the internal organs but that doesn't mean that its the actual "physical" organ itself. Just because the M5 may have maintenance work on it, doesn't mean Exeter stops working.

It's just like the throat chakra. If it is imbalanced, that doesn't mean that it's associated organ - the thyroid gland - is problematic. It may be emotional (too much or too little expression) or simply just a sore throat and clogged up lymphatics.

From the description you have given, working the Gallbladder meridian sounds the best bet. Yes, you can work the gallbladder reflex on the right foot to balance the gallbladder energy of the whole body. Also "brush" your hand gently along the course of the Gallbladder meridian several times on the left side.

You have to be careful in mixing up different systems. Reflexology being based on modern A&P, and TCM meridians being based on an ancient energetic paradigm. But the two systems do have many similarities. The most important principle with both is intention - energy follows thoughts! Inge Dougans understanding of TCM is taken from Kinesiology (Touch for Health) and mixed it with Reflexology.

Best Wishes

Reflex Pixie