Advanced Acupuncture Theory

Front 1

The Channels are not Hollow structures **

Back 1

- buffer system for the organ

- New evidence shows that they travel toward the wrapping fascia of all connective tissue (muscle, bones, tendons etc.)

Front 2

channels are pathways **

Back 2

conduits within which one might find nerves, blood vessels and lymphatic circulation

Front 3

the concept of qi is related to which function regarding channels? **

Back 3

channels are a communication system

Front 4

the channels are a network with 2 aspects... **

Back 4

1. pathways for normal physiology

2.disease system that holds and conducts information

Front 5

Taiyang **

Back 5

- Greater yang


Governs opening to the outside

Front 6

shaoyang **

Back 6

Lesser yang


Governs the yang pivot

Front 7

yangming **

Back 7

Yang brightness


Governs uniting to the inside

Front 8

tai yin **

Back 8

Greater yin


Governs opening to the outside

Front 9

shaoyin **

Back 9

Lesser yin

Governs the yin pivot

Front 10

jue yin ***

Back 10

Terminal yin

Governs uniting to the inside

Front 11

how channel theory sees the body **

Back 11

microcosm of the universe and that living beings are interconnected with the world

Front 12

six qi in channel theory **

Back 12

different ways of manifesting qi in channel physiology

Front 13

what is a starting point for understanding metabolic processes in the body **

Back 13

the six qi

Front 14

six level of the body integrate a pair of organs which, in turn, are responsible for integrating and metabolizing a particular environmental qi as follows **

Back 14

1. Taiyang - Bladder-Small Intestine - Cold

2. Shao yang - San Jiao-Gallbladder - Summerheat

3. Yang ming - Stomach-Large intestine - Dryness

4. Taiyin - Lung-Spleen - Dampness

5. Shao yin - Heart-Kidney - Fire

6. Jueyin - Pericardium-Liver - Wind

Front 15

what does shao yin regulate **

Back 15

the physiology of fire

Front 16

what is similar to the modern physiology understanding of the heart function **

Back 16

the heart moves blood throughout the body by pumping

Front 17

Many types of allergic and autoimmune disorders are related to **

Back 17

the kidney

Front 18

Chinese medicine concept of gate of vitality is similar to **

Back 18

the endocrine system in Western medicine

Front 19

Healthy Qi transformation by the liver and pericardium channel help **

Back 19

create an environmental which the destructive power of wind cannot arise

Front 20

Jue Yin level is especially associated with **

Back 20

the blood

Front 21

how does pc protect the hr **

Back 21

The pericardium in addition of protecting the heart from outside pathogen, integrates excess coming outward from the heart.

Front 22

in Chinese Medicine the pericardium includes **

Back 22

both the lining and important aspects of the heart organ itself

Front 23

The liver function of storing blood includes **

Back 23

the determination of where blood should go

Front 24

Bleeding from larger vessels VEINS are generally of a Jue Yin type while bleeding problems associated with reuptake at the capillary level are **

Back 24

more spleen type

Front 25

aspects of qi (tcm and allopathic

Back 25

reactions in the body
material and non material
protons electrons neutrons – mitochondria
atp
- qi is information and a carrier
vibration frequency
create frequencies in the body

Front 26

aspects of meridians

Back 26

- information travels through the meridian
- meridian geographical mapping where information can interconnect together
- each organ vibrates at a different frequency
- hr at 82.7 hz – speaks the language of the hr
- one is the radio, transmitter
- meridian has 7 layers
- main meridians have 4 layers that we have access to

Front 27

channels are a connective network

Back 27

- connect internal organs to one another to surface of the body and environment at large
- unifies other systems of the body -- digestive lymphatic nervous reproductive and others into a coherent and responsive whole
- the channels are alive in the same way that one might consider the hr or lu to be alive
- outer vibration – is 5 metres

Front 28

channel are a communication system

Back 28

- conveyors of info about the external to internal organs
- also convey info btwn internal organ themselves concept of qi is related to this function

Front 29

UNDERSTANDING 6 LVLS

Back 29

– spiritual pivot -- transformational process from expansive outwardly moving yang to closing, restful silence of absolute yin or reversing itself from material substance of yin into the pure motive force of yang

-look at yin and yang someone has observation of body in terms of how to deal with yin and how it would be stored
- liver stores blood
- gb is outer pair of lv

Front 30

tai yang

Back 30

– bl si – greater yang – governs opening to the outside
-- bl - 1st barrier to outside – one of the longest meridians

Front 31

shao yang

Back 31

– sj gb – lesser yang – governs the yang pivot
-- sj – cavity in the body
-- gb is a holding tank for the lv (which governs qi in body

- these work together

Front 32

yang ming

Back 32

– li st – yang brightness – governs uniting to insidest – only yang on inside (anterior of body) – close to sp
– often considered together
- yang ming comes just before tai yin – holding tank for food/grain

Front 33

tai yin

Back 33

– greater yin – govern opening to outside
-- lu opens to outside for pores
-- sp with st

Front 34

shao yin

Back 34

– hr kd – lesser yin
– governs yin pivot

Front 35

jue yin

Back 35

– pc lv – terminal – govern uniting to inside
-- lv governs blood so most yin fnc in body

- channel system connect both heaven and earth human kind loc in btwn

Front 36

layers of the meridians from deepest to surface

Back 36

12 regular
8 extraordinary
12 divergent
15 collaterals
12 muscular regions
12 cutaneous
and discussed quo lvl in class

Front 37

functions of the meridians

Back 37

1. pathways for qi and blood to circulate
2. zang fu organs interiorly and extend over the surface of the body
3. exteriorly, forming a ntwk and linking tissues and organs into an organic whole
4. transport qi and blood
5. keep body and mind in balance

Front 38

names of the meridians

Back 38

hand tai yin - LU
hand yangming - LI
foot yangming - ST
foot tai yin - SP

hand shaoyin - HR
hand taiyang - SI
foot taiyang - BL
foot shaoyin - KD

hand jueyin - PC
hand shaoyang - SJ
foot shaoyang - GB
foot jueyin - LV

Front 39

characteristics of meridians

Back 39

- run vertically - up/down
- exterior to interior or v/v
- connect interiorly to organs and exteriorly to pts
- symmetrical L/R

Front 40

directions of meridians

Back 40

- all 3 hand yin meridians travel chest to hand
- all 3 hand yang meridians travel hand to head
- all 3 foot yang meridians travel head to foot
- all 3 foot yin meridians travel foot to chest

Front 41

positions and strength of meridians

Back 41

taiyin and yangming - anterior/strongest

shaoyin and taiyang - middle/medium

jueyin and shaoyang - posterior/weakest

Front 42

amount of qi and blood in meridians

Back 42

yang ming - most qi and blood

shao yin - least qi and blood

shao yang and tai yin - more qi, less blood

tai yang and jue yin - less qi, more blood

Front 43

some aspects of wind

Back 43

lv stores blood – mother of qi and roots qi and moves with the flow of the blood around

- qi will start to flow and run around if it doesn't have blood – ex in modern free radical

- if extra qi is floating around this is wind allergies ex

- as external – wind attacks body via pores or orifices gets processed in the body as excess as extra qi

Front 44

six levels and external pathogenic qi relations

Back 44

- tai yang – bl si – cold
- shao yang – sj gb – summerheat
- yang ming – li st – dryness
- tai yin – lu sp – damp
- shao yin hr kd fire
- jue yin pc lv – wind-phlegm

Front 45

creation - yin yang qi

Back 45

circle is everything in creation
- is division that divides the substances that cause balance
- interaction of yin and yang creates qi – potential action
- inception – yang,
- flourishing activity – qi,
- decay – yin

Front 46

movement among 6 levels

Back 46

1. tai yang brings warm inside
2. shao yang brings this to grains of
3. yang ming then to
4. tai yin broken down with
5. shao yin to make blood
6. brought to jue yin for blood

Front 47

bagwa - tai yang

Back 47

tai yang first access from outside to inside

Front 48

notes on tai yin

Back 48

sp lu
- one channel
– 2 fnc parts – sp lu
1. regulation of dampness and distribution of nutrition fnc of foot tai yin governs blood hold blood
2. move qi and transform dampness
3. responsible for mx and 4 limbs
4. absorption fnc which is vital for post natal qi

Front 49

notes on interstitial fluid

Back 49

you have to have your interstitial fluid clean to allow exchange in the body
– arterial – interstitial fluid – venous for example -- draining dampness CLEANS interstitial fluid
- spleen heat - atp being created
– sugar for example is a high level of atp so can be absorbed in body quickly as heat --- why kids might get heat in spleen from sugar

Front 50

aspects of shao yin - fire, movement, warmth, physiology etc

Back 50

- Regulates the physiology of fire.
- conduit and regulator of extreme heat from the external environment,
- source of fire and blood movement in the internal environment.

- shao yin is moved by the beating of the heart and movement in the gate of vitality between the kidneys.
- clinically to drain the fire and clear the heart while also dredging and opening the yin collateral

- shao yin organs are also responsible for maintaining the body’s warmth

Front 51

how are warming in shao yin and tai yin (sp in particular) different

Back 51

Tai yin warming is provided by the nourishment while shao yin warming is provided by the movement of blood.

Front 52

Five-Phase Relationship of the Heart and Kidney

Back 52

Shao yin - dynamic tension.
- The heart shao yin and kidney shao yin organs do not always work together in synergy, but instead have a relationship based on a balance of mutual strength.

- Reference to the 5 element theory of the water cooling the fire of the heart.

Front 53

What the HR channel recognizes

Back 53

- Recognition of the external environment: the 6 qi
- internal environment: the movement of the qi dynamic.
- social environment: interactions with people, animals.

Front 54

functions of the HR

Back 54

- commands the blood vessels- stores the spirit - opens to the tongue

Front 55

More detail - HR commands the blood vessels

Back 55

- moving blood through the vessels of the body. A discussion of the blood vessels should also include the concept, of the yin collaterals.

-Considered the smallest vessels in the yin channels, the yin collateral may be linked to the microcirculation of blood.

Front 56

Yin collaterals - how they work

Back 56

Considered the smallest vessels in the yin channels, the yin collateral may be linked to the microcirculation of blood.

The yin collateral are most effective to dredge using shao yin channel.

Yin collateral stagnation is generally stagnation of blood,

In both yin and yang collateral stasis, however the important underlying concept is microcirculation.

Front 57

yang collaterals - how they work

Back 57

- yang collateral heat is cleared by treating the affected yang channel.

- tend to have stagnation of qi, which might also lead to heat.

In both yin and yang collateral stasis, however the important underlying concept is microcirculation.

Front 58

More of how the HR commands the blood vessels regarding the function of movement

Back 58

- ‘commands’ is associated with body function of movement, for the HR
-- 1 the heart moves blood throughout the body by pumping. This is similar to the modern physiology understanding of the heart function.

- 2 The heart moves consciousness. This can be loosely thought of as the need for the spirit to have an adequate supply of blood in order to function.

Front 59

How the HR stores the spirit

Back 59

The term spirit refers to the intelligence of existence.
- plants -- ability to respond to changes in the seasons and, on a daily basis, to turn toward the sun (heliotropism).
- human beings, this concept also includes the capacity for understanding and involves an innate ability to make associative leaps from one concept to another.

Front 60

How the HR opens into the tongue

Back 60

- importance in the context of speech and communication.

- Problems moving the tongue and expressing ideas are most likely due to heart dysfunction.

EXAMPLE clearly recognize the world at large. a stroke patient may have normal tongue movement, but be unable to properly vocalize ideas (back to the idea of microcirculation of the yin collateral and the heart relationship)

Front 61

HR pathology

Back 61

- itchy sores are related to HR. Esp upper part of the body and face (heat toxins in HR) channel).

The area of the heart between t5 and t7 is often involved in problems with cognition. It is therefore used in treating many types of development problems in children.

Insomnia and a tendency toward fear are associated to the shao yin channel

Urinary incontinence may often involve the HR shao yin.

Front 62

general traits of KD

Back 62

It is the root strength from which one rises to the challenge of urgent need.

The will is the ability of a person to steadily do and strive in the world, with the eventual goal of reproduction.

Front 63

KD functions

Back 63

1. Store essence
- interaction of essence with the qi derived from fluids, food, and air is the basis for the physiological activities that make up daily life.

2. Governs the bone
- KD responsible for the growth and development of bones, especially during childhood.

3. Stores the will
- also translated as intention.

4. Opens to the ears
- Not all ear problems are connected to KD. Most often the connection refers to the small bones of the ear.

Front 64

KD pathology

Back 64

- ability to rise and perform in highly situations (Think about Adrenal Fatigue).

-Many types of allergic and autoimmune disorders are related to the kidney.

- Problems with the endocrine systems are often related to the kidney qi dynamic.

- Hormone imbalance or hyper-hypoactivitiy of endocrine glands are often treated with acupuncture treatment and herbs that regulate the kidney

Front 65

3 fires in the body

Back 65

ministerial
sovereign
gate of vitality

Front 66

fire - gate of vitality description

Back 66

Kidney has both a fire and a water aspect, needed for the gate of vitality to enliven the body.
-- endocrine system in Western medicine.

Ideas about growth, development, libido, and metabolism tend to follow similar lines
- Modern research is showing that many herbal formulas that are said to strengthen the gate of vitality and benefit the kidney yang affect the interactions of the endocrine system.

Front 67

ministerial fire description

Back 67

Most seen in three cases.
1. As a synonym of the gate of vitality.
2. in 5 phases trying to explain the pericardium function in the 6 yin meridian.
3. In discussion of pathology, particularly pathology associated with liver gallbladder

Front 68

sovereign fire description

Back 68

associated with the heart and is exemplified in the actual movement of the heart organ, which sends warm blood to the body.

Front 69

pathways of qi, blood, and what happens during sleep

Back 69

The pathways of qi are maintained by the liver, and qi depends on the fullness of Jue Yin blood for nourishment. When the body sleeps, blood returns to Jue Yin, where it settle and clarifies

Front 70

How the concept of wind and its relationship to blood is important fo understanding both physiology and pathology of Jue Yin.

Back 70

- when healthy blood fills the vessels, it can prevent the invasion of pathogenic wind.

This could be
1. blood insufficiency in general,
2. or a problem with proper assignment of blood by the liver to the are affected.

–think about muscle cramps and twitching

Front 71

The function of the pericardium...

Back 71

... is to facilitate communication and to protect the heart. - both cushioning the effects of assaults from outside and disseminating the commands and moods inside from the heart

Front 72

how pc protects the HR

Back 72

Like a bodyguard, PC integrates pathogens that might damage the heart.

If PC has a deficiency of blood, then the heart is more likely to be damaged.

PC integrates excess coming outward from the heart. For example, where there has been an excess of physical activity, the pericardium provides blood and nourishment while absorbing and releasing generated heat.

Front 73

Jue yin vs Shao yin

Back 73

In TCM, PC includes both the lining and important aspects of the HR organ itself.

Jue Yin is more Yin and therefore more materially substantial than Shao Yin.

Jue Yin is deep in the blood vessels and thus pc might be thought of as being equivalent to the blood engorging the hr muscle.

Jue Yin is the reservoir of blood that surrounds the heart to support movement in the pivot of Shao Yin.

For example, in cases of angina where there is a blockage in coronary blood circulation, the Jue Yin pericardium channel will often have palpable changes along the arm below the elbow

Front 74

PC pathology

Back 74

External –contracted heat disorder may affect quickly the pericardium.

Arteriosclerosis often manifest with palpable changes in the pericardium channel, most commonly found around (and can be treated) Pc4.

Front 75

Overview of LIV

Back 75

When healthy, the liver is like a general with all is supplies at the ready, both peaceful and alert.- ability to react quickly to changes in the diverse environments of the internal body

--- similar function of the protective qi on the surface of the body. Move in the deep interior, making strategies and clearing the pathways of qi.

The place of collection is around T9

Front 76

functions of the LIV

Back 76

1. Dredges, drains, and regulates
2. Maintain the flow of qi among the internal organ and facilitate the draining of accumulated qi
3. Stores and nourishes the sinews
4. The liver function of storing blood includes the determination of where blood should go.
5. stores the ethereal soul
6. opens to the eyes

Front 77

There are 3 aspects to the relationship of the liver blood:

Back 77

1 The storage of blood: Storage of blood also involves the maintenance of blood quality, what might termed cleaning of the blood.

2 The assignment of blood to particular organs

3 The impetus for movement of blood: The function is closely related to that of dredging the pathways of qi.

While the beating of the heart moves the blood, there is also an important role played by the liver in blood circulation, Namely, by facilitating the smooth movement of qi, one also helps the circulation of blood

Front 78

storing the ethereal soul...

Back 78

The ethereal soul involves a psychic aspect that manifest as courage. The ability to restrain and balance the courage of the ethereal soul comes from the health and the quality of blood

Front 79

opening to the eyes...

Back 79

Not all eye problems are liver.

- 2 major cause associated with the liver channel and both are concerned the relationship with the liver to the sinew:
1. Movement of the musculature of the eyes
- Dilatation and contraction of the pupils (more chronic problem to the kd)

2. Problem with the optic nerve, function of the liver of assigning blood through normal dredging and draining

Front 80

Liver pathology

Back 80

Bleeding from larger vessels are generally of a Jue Yin type

bleeding problems associated with reuptake at the capillary level are more spleen type.

First type is treated with Lv1 – Lv 3, the second type with SP1 – Sp3

Front 81

yang channels and their related sinew vessels are especially prone to pain disorders...

Back 81

associated with circulation along their pathways.
most of the px we have in jts is rel to yang meridian

Front 82

these 3 channels take up more body surface than all others combined

Back 82

st gb bl

Front 83

How does the tai yang level nourish and discharge through the skin and hair with warm moisture radiating from the qi dynamic of the yin organs

Back 83

because it is Connected internally with the heat of shao yin

Front 84

tai yang and its role defending the body

Back 84

first defense against external invasion. Defense is achieved by warming and discharging the exterior invasion of cold.

Front 85

In the case of external invasion, the channel raises yang to disperse cold from the exterior by warming the skin through the interstices (cou li). The interstices are understood to be the area below the skin and above the muscle. The body’s ability to control its temperature also involves the interstices. This is similar to the modern understanding of ...

Back 85

...dilation and constriction of skin capillaries in response to environmental change.

- ability of tai yang to “open and close” the interstices is crucial to this reaction.
“Opening” send protective qi to the area, while “closing” implies the constriction of the interstices to prevent cold from invading. (Chill when cold is trapped, warmth/fever when pores are closed)

Front 86

Beside clearing the urine produces by the kidney, the bladder is also dependent on the fire from the gate of vitality for what...

Back 86

to initiate its wide dispersion of warmth and fluids to the surface

Front 87

Without this primary warmth from shao yin, what would happen...

Back 87

the tai yang level would be overwhelmed by yin fluids

Front 88

how does SI help the HR?

Back 88

associated with the absorption of nutrients, thus helping the heart in its traditional function of moving the blood.

Front 89

what SI does with food that has already been processed by the SP/St

Back 89

Food that has already been initially transformed by the spleen-stomach passes through the small intestine
- SI then further removes vital substances (the clear) which are transferred back to the spleen, absorbed into the blood as nutritive qi, and eventually sent to the heart.
- Small intestine function might be said to be an important part in the building of the blood. (Si/Ht connection)

Front 90

The process of separation in the small intestine is preceded by

Back 90

the transformation of lighter qi from food and fluids in the spleen

Front 91

main functions of the SI (4 fnc)

Back 91

1.Transform red to maintain blood
- Interior-exterior connection of the small intestine to the heart.
- some of the substances separated out by the small intestine go directly to the blood through the heart. Those that ‘become red’.

2. Provides essential substance to the spleen
-Takes digested material from the stomach and process them to a more rarefied form of qi.
- resulting ‘clear’ essential substances are transported back to the spleen where they are processed into the nutritive aspect.

3. Removes excess water
- passage of turbid fluids down to the large intestine

4. Remove waste
- Move waste down to the large intestine

Front 92

brief look at BL

Back 92

Maintains the fluid volume, determines how much fluid is stored in the body and how much is to be released

Works as a thermo-regulator for the body

Front 93

main functions of BL

Back 93

1. Stores fluids - not limited to the storage and passage of urine, but also with the quality of the healthy fluids.
- interior-exterior connection of tai yang to shao yin,
- importance of the fire at the gate of vitality to the ability of the bladder to effectively move the fluids that come under its administration.

2. Secretes and differentiates the clear and the turbid - filtering the fluids of the body to maintain net volume

Front 94

BL separates fluids into clear and turbid -- where do they go?

Back 94

The clear fluids are reintegrated by the spleen at the microcirculation level to become fluids within the blood. Turbidity is released from the body.

Front 95

How bladder qi transformation is also associated with gland physiology in the lower abdomen.

Back 95

This small intestine function also introduced a possible association of that channel with exocrine gland secretions in the digestive tract.

- similar to what Western medicine defines as dysfunction of the prostate gland, seminal vesicles, or bulbourethral glands in men.

Thus both shao yin and tai yang disease patterns present some interesting parallels to pathology in the Western medicine-defined endocrine and exocrine systems

Front 96

bl/si and colds

Back 96

-- tai yang is common here catch cold easily affected by colds easily

Front 97

btwn skin and mx is cou li - relation to cold...

Back 97

dilation and constriction of skin capillaries like interstices (coul li in tcm)

red cheeks in -30 trying to push blood out, hypothermia starts when body clues in and gathers blood insideimmunity of the body drops when exposed to cold so altho dont get sick from cold you are more vulnerable

– always protect your neck and back and meridian of si

opening – sends protective, cold – protect against

chill when cold is trapped

warmth fever when pores are closed

bl is also dependent on the fire from the gate of vitality to initiate its wide dispersion of warmth and fluids to the surface – nn yang dynamics to move fluid

Front 98

how is si impt part in building blood – si/hr cnx

Back 98

extract essence from gu qi nn go thru gi tract --- most is done by st, goes to si and sp is 2nd stage of extraction of gu qi process of separation in si is preceded by transformation of lighter qi from food and fluids in the sp

Front 99

si functions - details

Back 99

transform red to maintain blood

provides essential substance to sp

removes excess water

remove waste

si is supplier of iron to bloodibs – def in iron and b12 usually

sends back to sp via interstitial fluids and beds

turbid fluids go down to li

li is major organ to extract water – when you expose li to humidity it can absorb it

si is also resp for clear decision – not understanding what is good and bad

Front 100

if skin is cold in winter, which level is most affected..

Back 100

tai yang

Front 101

more on bl functions

Back 101

store fluid

secretes and differentiates clear and turbid

tai yang and shao yin process fluid together

shao yin with hormonal release – aldosterone for bp

tai yang more exocrine fnc of endocrine system

bl is in middle of soveregn fire so we use that heat to move up or down in the body

thermoregulator – int heat – dark, cold – clear and releasing

ren 3 – front mu but will stimulate and nourish the kd

Front 102

sj fluids include...

Back 102

interstitial fluid intracellular fluid and plasma (75% of blood)

Front 103

Shao Yang channel is associated with..

Back 103

movement and regulation.

Front 104

It regulates in normal physiology and is used clinically to drain.

Back 104

shao yang - when regulation is compromised, heat and qi become clumped in the interior

Front 105

Shao yang regulation occurs in the middle of the three yang levels.

Back 105

In the case of the triple burner, it warms and moisten the internal organs while facilitating the transport of fluids,

first separated at yang ming(with the help of tai yin),

outward to the tai yang level for distribution as sweat above and urine below.

At the same time, the shao yang gallbladder act as a pivot for the regulation of digestion among the other yang organs.

Front 106

Shao Yang is paired with jueyin - how this works

Back 106

providing fire and movement to enliven the stillness of the deepest yin. The Liver Pericardium, reservoirs of blood, are stimulated by their paired yang organs.

Front 107

Shao Yang is also associated with the sinew-bones. How is this different from LIV and KD?

Back 107

liver function of nourishing the sinews and the kidney’s role in bone development.

for shao yang -- responsible for movement in the spaces between the sinews and bones. Ex. “if there are problems with moving the joints due to poor fluid circulation

Front 108

The movement of fluids by shao yang is the vehicle by which ...

Back 108

nourishment is brought to the sinew-bones and metabolic waste is taken away.

Front 109

The triple burner is the “passageway for water and grains”, thus linking the organ to the transport of postnatal qi.

Back 109

- transport of nutrition and the generation of activity are said to occur within the confines of the triple burner. .

- In modern terminology when one speaks of ‘the ultimate destination of postnatal essence and the beginning and end of qi”, one might be discussing the cells of the body.

- It is to the cell that nutrition ultimately goes and it is in the cells that activity begins and ends. The extracellular environment that bathes this process might be linked to the triple burner.

Front 110

In modern physiological terms, the triple burner might be thought to represent the fluid pathways within which the complex process of..

Back 110

cellular metabolism occurs.

Front 111

The triple warmer as the location of the “beginning and end of qi” involves concepts similar to the modern understanding of

Back 111

the conveyance and removal of nourishment and waste from the cells

Front 112

for qi transformation in SJ to occur, three important factors...

Back 112

1. There must be a primary stimulus that initiates transformation

2. There must be a location and a proper environment for qi transformation to occur

3. There must be free and easy movement within that environment

Front 113

for qi transformation in SJ to occur -- There must be a primary stimulus that initiates transformation

Back 113

This stimulus is called source qi. Which comes from the gate of vitality. This is also the process of fire distribution from shao yin to shao yang.

linked to the modern understanding of genes as arbiters of the processes of conception, growth, development and ultimately decay.

Chapter 66 of the classic of difficulties states…”the triple burner is the directors of separation for the source qi and is responsible for the movement of the three qi through the five yin and six yang organs. Source qi is thus the spark that stimulates function in every organ in the body.

Front 114

for qi transformation in SJ to occur --There must be a location and a proper environment for qi transformation to occur

Back 114

the organ is both a pathway and an environment for the primary stimulus of source qi.

Unless this environment is properly maintained be the triple burner, the primary genetic stimulus of the gate of vitality cannot be actualized

Front 115

for qi transformation in SJ to occur -- There must be free and easy movement within that environment

Back 115

chinese observations of natural world factor in here

-- The movement of water from oceans and glaciers on the planet surface to the clouds above, when it is stimulated by the warmth of the sun.

-- With evaporation, water travels to the skies above the continents and falls to the ground as rain.

-- Rain nourishes the plants and animals of the continental biosphere as it passes through rivers and streams contain more than just water.

-- Minerals and other substances that nourish plants and animals are also carried along the earth’s waterway.

Front 116

the concept of the triple burner does NOT include

Back 116

blood - but all the fluid and the linings of sj ultimately come and go from blood

Front 117

shape of SJ

Back 117

- concept of metabolism which occurs in the three separate sections of the chest and abdomen.
- takes the form of the organs folded within it.


•If ones views the shape of the triple burner like a piece of clothing that takes its form from the organs held within, this might also include the fissures, or spaces, within that clothing. As a hollow yang organ, the triple warmer is more about the spaces within the clothing than the clothing itself

- might be associated with the fluid-filled spaces of the body. spaces inside the mesenteric linings and connective tissue described by modern physiology, all effused with interstitial fluid

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corridor’ of the triple burner...

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- nutrition at the interstitial fluid is supported by the spleen and enters the fluids through the blood in the form of cells into the venous capillary system involves a similar interstitial leap.
- the waste includes not only the by-products of cellular metabolism, but also dead cells, unwanted bacteria, and viruses.

All of these substances pass through the interstitial on their way back into the circulatory system.

- the concept of circulatory system also includes the lymphatic system. The triple burner involves interstitial spaces that are also beyond the level of the lymphatic capillaries. The quality and movement of the interstitial fluids vary in different parts of the body, and change over time.

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The role of source qi in the triple burner

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- In the fluids of the triple burner, source qi intermingles with the nutritive aspect of blood from food and drink and the qi of the external world drawn from the breath.

Fundamentally it is the spark of life at the cellular level.

In classic physiology source qi determines the length of a person’s life.

- strategies to slow down the aging process don’t focus on strengthening the brain or brightening the skin

- maintaining an even flow of source qi by benefiting the kidney and keeping the passageways of circulation open and because source qi flows the pathways of the triple burner, the ability of the other organs to receive this vital stimulus depends on the health and smooth flow of this multilevel organ

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upper burner

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takes in food and external qi through the mouth and directs them downward.

- It encompasses the esophagagus, lungs and heart

- treated at Ren 17.

- light environment with lower relative pressure around the lungs.
- empty and clean - provide space and nourishment for the inhalation and exhalation of the lungs and the beating of the heart.

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middle burner

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- warm cauldron of the spleen and stomach where the reception and transformation of food and water occur.

direction with the middle burner more like moving around the pivot of the umbilicus.

- Its activity is transformative,
- roughly analogous to the stomach and small intestine in modern physiology.

The middle burner is treated a St 25

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lower burner

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- below the umbilicus.
Its pathways include the LI SI BL

- goal of metabolism in the lower burner -- make the final separation of the clear and turbid from food and fluids.

The lower burner is treated at Ren 7

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Functions of the triple burner

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1. pathway for source qi
- Source qi arises from KD and it is distributed throughout the body by SJ

2. manages the various types of qi
- By maintaining the free flow of communication, the triple burner ‘manages’, in a very broad sense, the types of qi transformation that occur throughout the body

3. place where yin and yang meet and transform
- The spaces within the triple burner are sites transformation. The fluids of the triple burner may be thought of as comprising the extracellular environment. For yin and yang transformation is intended the process of Yin nutrition transformed to yang energy and then back to yin. This process occurs continuously in every moment of life.

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Shao Yang pivot is been described as “balanced and morally upright so as balanced in the center and spotless” This is a middle road between excess and deficiency. in terms of Shao Yang gallbladder function, this means...

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avoiding taking too much or too little from the food passing through the digestion system

-this idea has some interesting similarities to the role of bile in modern physiology

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why gallbladder must also be balanced and morally upright ...

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- help the liver to make clear decisions about strategy. -

obvious anatomical reasons for the pairing of the liver with the gallbladder,

classical physiology attaches importance to the clarity of the bile as a determinant of proper dredging and draining by the liver.

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functions of gb

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1. maker of decisions

part of this is GB regulates by deciding what should be absorbed during the digestive process.

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what happens when gb is compromised

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- LV function of dredging and draining has a kind of symbiotic relathionship with the movement of Shao Yang. Many cases of of LV qi stagnation are actually related to a kind of yang deficiency.

- more deficient cases, there is often a corresponding gallbladder qi deficiency.

- net result is compromise of the decision-making of the gallbladder in the digestive system.

- because of deficiency in the liver-gallbladder, there is inefficient gallbladder. This may involved either over absorption of food or under absorption of food.•

--Compromised gallbladder function often involves digestive complaints that are sometimes confused with spleen patterns; this is especially true where the liver is also involved, leading one to suspect liver-spleen disharmony•

--Tinnitus, dry throat with bitter taste, and possibly alternation sensations of heat and cold are symptoms often related to the gallbladder•

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yang ming is full of

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qi and blood

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interior of the exterior aspect of yang ming

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- organs of digestive tract are considered to be external because of their connection to food entering from the mouth and leaving through the anus,

- also represent the point at which external food and drink meet the internal transformation of the yin organs .

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fullness of Qi and Blood at yang ming is dependent on

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the transformation of water and grains facilitated by one of its paired organs –spleen

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how does st begin process of building post natal qi

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- stomach begins the process generating postnatal essence by ‘fermenting’.

- fermentation involves adding warmth and appropriate moisture so that the spleen can initiate its trasformations

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transport master?

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LI Takes food transformed by the spleen and stomach and then makes further modifications, -- more separating and sorting.

-- LI is “a transport master” - more of a passageway than a receptacle for further refinement

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functions of the LI

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transports and transforms waste and removes fluids

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LI - transporting and transforming waste

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-final removal of digestive waste.

- also involved in the metabolism of dryness, it plays an important role in fluid absorption.

- oversees a process by which digested food undergoes its final transformation.

- ability of the LI to transform the dredges of food into waste depends on the rhythm provided by the downward-directed aspect of the qi dynamic of the Lungs.

Tai yin not only is important to LI, the fluid-regulating aspect of the spleen can also affect the bowels. For example, most student of Chinese medicine are familiar with the association of spleen qi deficiency with loose stool movements. This is a case where tai yin dysfunction manifest in the yang ming.

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LI removes fluids explained

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spleen is the source of fluids in the body, the large intestine is final step in fluid metabolism.

failure of the large intestine to remove fluids from digestive waste manifests as ‘water diarrhea’.

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Stomach pathology often involves heat

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Due to dry warm nature of Yang Ming, the large intestine also has this tendency.

- heat can lead to yin deficiency patterns of the stomach and large intestine.

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ST - Stores and decomposes

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- food makes the first stop.

- qi dynamic of the spleen and stomach are difficult to separate. Food enters the stomach for fermentation, is transferred to the spleen for refinement into the nutritive aspect, and is then combined with external qi in the lung.

The result is nutritive-protective qi, which travels to the rest of the body in-gu and around-wei the blood

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what is source qi?

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‘source’ means original, primary, or unprocessed.

- classic physiology, source qi arises from the primary movement of the gate of vitality.

- source qi can be linked to the fundamental spark of life.

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LV problems with - The storage of blood:

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Problems with cleaning of the blood while it is stored could cause such symptoms as insomnia, irritability, or even dermatological issues should the ability to remove heat from the blood be compromised

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LV problems with - The assignment of blood to particular organs

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Symptoms include muscle twitching or spasms due to an inadequate blood supply in a particular area

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LV problems with - The impetus for movement of blood

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If the pathways of qi is compromised the blood flow will be as well. Classical symptoms are those as in gynecological disorders, amenorrhea, metrorrhagia etc