According to Chinese medicine belief every part of the body is linked by the use of specific interconnected channels known as the meridians. These form an inherent system within your body and are responsible for the natural flow of energy and any hindrance that restricts this flow leads to illness or disease. By analysing the meridians by means of Chinese medicine could be the first step if you want to be certain that you are functioning in optimum health

Acupuncture, acupressure, and qigong are among the various branches of Chinese medicine that use the meridian systems to correct any disruption to the flow of energy. Specific points on the meridians called acupoints are stimulated via needles, burning incense cones or applying pressure through massage. The meridians comprise of several hundred acupoints besides many other pressure points that are not linked with a certain meridian. When evaluated scientifically these specific points are found to be pressure points that affect other parts of the human system.

There are 20 meridians that connect these acupoints and are usually called the 12 standard meridians with each meridian corresponding to each organ. There are also 8 extraordinary meridians two of which have their own groups of points, and the remaining ones connecting points on other channels. The meridians are divided into Yin and Yang groups. The Yin meridians of the arm are, heart, lung and pericardium and of the leg are kidney, spleen, and liver. The Yang meridians of the arm are small intestine, large intestine, and triple warmer and of the leg are stomach, bladder, and gall bladder. By pressurizing these definite points, or massaging them, it will influence the internal organs correlated with them, physical illness, and the flow of energy.

By using various meridians on the arms and legs acupuncturists are able to directly link external points of the body with internal organs. As a simple example an acupuncturist who diagnoses heart trouble will find a Yin meridian on the arm that is directly connected to the heart and pressurize it in order to begin the flow of energy.

By following the Chinese meridian model, one could begin to see the relationship between the internal organs and the external structure of the body. Through the meridian systems, one may well induce how the flow of energy needs to be altered and would find ways in which the body is affected by means of the various organs. This is one of the more practical ways to use Chinese medicine for better health.