Extra Meridians—a Simple Practical Approach

Abstract

Abstract

Many medical acupuncturists ignore the use of Extra Meridians in their methods of treatment. Even medical acupuncture textbooks—that is, many of them—tend to limit their discussions to the Conception and Governing vessels, ignoring other Extraordinary Vessels (as they are otherwise called). Some books even describe them as branches of the Principal Meridians. The fact is that these Extra Meridians develop soon after conception before the differentiation and development of Principal Meridians. Extra Meridians originate close to the Kidney–Dan Tian center, hold a position between the Dan Tian center and the Principal Meridians, and each Extra Meridian has connections to many Principal Meridians. This fact is taken advantage of in using them when there is involvement of multiple meridians; their usage reduces the number of points to be used significantly. In this article, an attempt is made to demystify these Extraordinary— “Wonder,” “Exceptional,” “Curious,” or “Mysterious,” Meridians and simplify their usage.