PRIMARY CHANNEL
This channel begins beneath the little toe, crosses the sole of the foot, and emerges at Kid 2
on the inferior aspect of the navicular tuberosity at the instep. From here it travels posterior to the
medial malleolus, enters the heel, and proceeds upward along the medial aspect of the lower leg
where it intersects the Spleen channel at Sp 6. Continues up the leg within the gastrocnemius
muscle, it traverses the medial aspect of the popliteal fossa and the medial, posterior aspect of the
thigh to the base of the spine where it intersects the Du channel at DU 1. Here it threads its way
beneath the spine to enter its associated organ, the Kidney, and to communicate with the Bladder. It
intersects the Conception channel at Ren 3 and Ren 4.
A branch ascends directly from the Kidney, crosses the Liver and diaphragm, enters the Lung,
and follows the throat to the root of the tongue.
This channel connects with the Bladder and joins directly with the Liver, Lungs, Heart and
Pericardium_
CROSSING POINTS: Sp 6, DU 1, Ren 3, Ren 4
SYMPTOMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE EXTERNAL COURSE OF THE CHANNEL
Pain along the lower vertebrae, low back pain, coldness in the feet, motor impairment or
muscular atrophy of the foot, dryness in the mouth, sore throat, pain in the sole of the foot or along
the posterior aspect of the lower leg or thigh.
SYMPTOMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE INTERNAL ORGAN
Vertigo, facial edema, ashen complexion, blurred vision, shortness of breath, drowsiness and
irritability, loose stools, chronic diarrhea or constipation, abdominal distension, vomiting, impotence.
(Essentials: nocturnal emissions, irregular menses, feverish soles.)
DIVERGENT CHANNEL
After separating from the primary at the popliteal fossa, this channel intersects the divergent
channel of the bladder on the thigh. It then proceeds upwards, connecting first with the Kidney
before crossing the Girdle channel at about the T-7. Here, the channel ascends to the base of the
tongue and continues upwards, emerging at the nape of the neck to converge with the Bladder
primary channel.
LUO CHANNEL
Separates from the primary at Kid 4 and connects with UB 64. A branch follows the Kidney
channel upward to a point below the perineum, then threads its way through the lumbar vertebrae.
Symptoms of Luo Channel Excess: irritability, depression, enuresis
Symptoms of Luo Channel Deficiency: low back pain
MUSCLE CHANNEL
This channel originates beneath the little toe, and together with the Spleen muscle channel,
crosses below the internal malleolus and connects at the heel, where it converges with the
Bladder muscle channel. From here it proceeds up the leg and connects at the lower, medial
aspect of the knee. It then joins with the Spleen channel and proceeds upwards along the medial
aspect of the thigh to the genital region. A branch ascends along the side of the spine to the nape
of the neck, where it connects with the occipital bone and converges with the Bladder muscle
channel.
Pathological Symptoms: Twisted muscles on the bottom of the foot, pain or twisted muscles
along the course of the channel, as well as other symptoms of disease which appear along the
channel, most importantly, those symptoms associated with epilepsy or infantile convulsion.
If the disease is an Exterior condition, it is difficult to flex the head. If the disease is an Interior
condition, the head cannot be extended. A Yang disorder is one in which the back will not bend
forward. In a Yin disorder the back cannot bend backward.
