PRIMARY CHANNEL
Begins beside the nose at LI 20, then ascends to the root of the nose where it intersects with
the Bladder channel at UB 1. Descending along the lateral side of the nose, it enters the upper gum
and joins the Governing channel at the philtrum at DU 26, then circles back around the corner of
the mouth, meeting the Conception channel at the mentolabial groove on the chin at Ren 24. From
here, it follows the angle of the jaw and runs upward in front of the ear. It proceeds along the
hairline until it intersects the GB channel at GB 6. Finally, it crosses to the middle of the forehead,
parallel with the hairline, where it joins the Governing channel at DU 24.
One branch separates from the main channel on the lower jaw and descends along the throat,
entering the supraclavicular fossa. Here it travels posteriorly to the upper back, where it meets the
Governing channel at DU 14. It proceeds downward across the diaphragm, intersecting the
Conception channel at Ren 13 and Ren 12 before entering its associated organ, the Stomach, and
connecting with the Spleen.
Another vertical branch descends directly from the supraclavicular fossa along the mammillary
line, then passes beside the umbilicus and through the lower abdomen to the inguinal region.
Another branch begins at the pylorus and descends internally to the inguinal region where it
pins at St 30 with the vertical branch just described. It crosses to St 31 on the anterior aspect of the
thigh and descends directly to the patella. It then proceeds along the lateral side of the tibia to the
dorsum of the foot, terminating at the lateral side of the tip of the second toe.
A parallel branch separates from the main channel at St 36 and terminates at the lateral side of
the third toe. Another branch separates from the dorsum of the foot at St 42 and terminates at the
medial side of the big toe, where it connects with the Spleen channel at Sp 1.
The channel connects with the Spleen and is directly joined with the Heart, Large Intestine,
and Small Intestine.
CROSSING POINTS: LI 20, UB 1, DU 26, Ren 24, DU 14, DU 24, Ren 12, Ren 13, GB
3, GB 4, GB 6, Sp 1
SYMPTOMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE EXTERNAL COURSE OF THE CHANNEL
High fever, tidal fevers, flushed face, sweating and delirium, sometimes sensitivity to cold, or
pain in the eyes, dry nostrils and nosebleed, fever blisters, sore throat, swelling on the neck, facial
paralysis, chest pain, pain or distension along the course of the channel in the leg and foot, coldness
in the lower limb.
SYMPTOMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE INTERNAL ORGAN
Abdominal distention, fullness or edema, discomfort while reclining, seizures, persistent hunger,
yellow urine.
DIVERGENT CHANNEL
After diverging from the primary channel on the thigh, this channel enters the abdomen,
connects with the Stomach and then disperses through the Spleen. From there, it ascends across the
Heart and follows the esophagus until it reaches the mouth. It then continues upward beside the
nose, and connects with the eye before rejoining the primary channel.
LUO CHANNEL
Separates at St 40 and joins the Spleen at Sp 3. A branch follows the lateral margin of the tibia
upward across the thigh and trunk to the top of the head, where it converges with the other Yang
channels. Another branch separates in the neck and connects with the throat.
Symptoms of Luo Excess: epilepsy, insanity
Symptoms of Luo Deficiency: flaccid or atrophied muscles in the legs or feet, pharyngitis,
sudden aphasia.
MUSCLE CHANNEL
Originates at the 2nd, 4th, and middle toes, crosses the dorsum of the foot, and slants
upward along the lateral aspect of the leg, joining at the knee. Then crosses the hip and lower ribs
before circling behind the body to connect with the spine.
Another branch separates from the first branch above the ankle and follows the tibia to the knee.
A sub-branch crosses the head of the fibula, where it joins with the GB channel at GB 34. From the
knee, the branch ascends across the thigh and connects again in the pelvic region, where it joins with
the reproductive organs. Continuing upward across the abdomen and chest, the channel connects
with the clavicle then extends up the neck and around the mouth, connecting at the side of the
nose. Above, it joins with the Bladder channel to form a muscular 'net' around the eye. A subbranch
separates at the jaw and traverses the face, connecting in front of the ear.
Pathological Symptoms: Strained muscles of the middle toe, twisted muscles in the lower leg,
spasms or hardening of the muscles in the foot, twisted muscles in the thigh, swelling in the anterior
pelvic region, hernia, spasms of the abdominal muscles, strained muscles of the neck and cheek,
sudden appearance of mouth awry with inability to close the eye because of muscle spasm, muscles
of eyelid flaccid, preventing their opening (a Hot symptom), muscles of the cheek tightly contracted,
pulling on the sides of the mouth ( a Cold symptom), muscles of the cheek flaccid and unable to
contract, causing mouth to appear awry (Hot symptom.)
SUMMARY: STOMACH CHANNEL
Phone # (42 40 34) ST-45-44-43-41-36
Tonification point: ST 41
Sedation point: ST 45
Horary point: ST 36
St 25 any intestinal problems/reproductive organs
St 28 urinary system & fluids-- hot disorders
St 29 reproductive system-- cold disorders
St 30 building Yuan, Ying, nourishment, absorption
St 34 pacifies excess heat in stomach-- accumulation or stagnation
St 36 deficiencies-- primarily digestive
St 37 digestion, esp. dysentery, diarrhea, drains chest & upper abd. fullness
St 38 frozen shoulder
St 39 intestinal problems/pain/blood in urine
St 40 phlegm/mucus/spirit
St 41 Yin deficient Heat/ facial edema
St 43 gas/belching/wind
St 44 drains heat/tonsillitis/TB/fevers
St 45 hangovers/ dream-disturbed sleep
