| This paper is to discuss the root and end theory of the liver meridian of foot jueyin and help to make a better understanding for the clinical application of this theory. The root and end theory is a very important part of acupuncture theory, while it was seldom used in clinical treatment and aroused little attention by acupuncturists. I found this theory has a good value for guiding clinical treatment of acupuncture.This paper is to be discussed in three parts. The first is to discuss the theory of root and end, qi passage, and four seas (which is brain, chong meridian, danzhung, and stomach) by literature research; the second is to give an explanation of liver meridian of foot jueyin and its relative knowledge; and the third to make a comprehensive study on the clinical application of the above-mentioned theory and draw a corresponding conclusion.1 A discuss of the theory of root and end, qi passage and four seasRoot originally meaning the root of a tree is the beginning of things. Here it means Jing points at the tip of fingers and toes; end originally means end with/in, and here it refers to the head, chest and abdomen. Yang shangshan noted:"root is oringin, and end is system". Zhang yinan noted:"root is the place where meridian-qi is generated and gathered; end is the place where the meridian-qi flows towards and returns". Ma xuantai noted:"meridian-qi originates from the root and returns to the end". of Ming dynasty described:"the twelve meridians originates from the tips of four extremities, which are called"four roots"; and ends in head, chest and abdomen, which are called"three ends". said:"The disease can not be treated unless you know the knowledge of root and end". From above we know the importance of this theory to the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. According to the theory of root and end, we know that there are relations between the upper parts and lower parts of body, which is the basis for the theory of"needing the lower for the upper, needling the upper for the lower, and needling the lateral parts for the middle".The meridian system connects with entrails internally and limbs and joints externally, and it is the basic route for connecting every part of the body. The meridian-qi carries and transports blood and qi. said:"The functions of meridian are transport blood and qi, nourish tendersand bones, and benefit joints". Meridian-qi promotes the flow of qi and blood circulating in blood vessels, controls their orbit, regulates their volume, and plays a leading role in coordinating the balance between qi and blood, yin and yang of the body. The conceptions of qi passage and four seas explained that there are also relations between interior parts and exterior part of the body besides the relations between the upper and the lower. said:"The human also have four seas and"twelve meridian waters"inside the body, the twelve meridian waters pour into the four seas". The roots and ends of qi passage communicate with those of twelve meridians, which converge into four seas. So the four seas are the biggest aggregation of meridians, blood, qi and mental.2 A discuss of the theory of liver meridian of foot JueyinAccording to the basic theory of TCM, the function of liver is in charge of regulating blood supply, governing normal flow of qi, and storing blood. The functions of the ascending and descending of stomach-qi, the secretion and discharging of bile, emotion, spermiation and ovulation are all controlled by the dispersing function of liver.Liver storing blood means the liver has the function of storing blood, controlling blood volume and preventing bleeding. said:"the liver stores blood, and blood holds mood. so deficiency of the liver leading to terror and excess to anger."The physiological nature of liver is active and ascending, liking smooth not suppression. So the liver is also called"gang zang (unyielding organ)". The liver is connected with tendons. Its glory is at nails. Its orifice is at eyes. It related with anger in emotions, and it associates with tear in human liquids. The gallbladder is attached to the liver. The liver meridian of foot Jueyin is associated with gallbladder meridian of foot Shaoyang. Anatomically the liver mostly locates in the right hypochondriac region and epigastric region, adjoining to the middle of the body. Besides, TCM believes liver is closely related with the flow of qi and blood. The liver belongs to wood in five elements, and it is the yang aspect of yin, whose nature is yin and function is yang.The liver meridian of foot Jueyin is closely related with other meridians. It meets Du meridian at the top of head, both of which enters brain; it connects Ren and Chong meridians at lower abdomen, all of which link to external genitals. From above we know that the liver meridian is correlated with mental, primary qi, reproduction and external genitals. Besides, the liver meridian passes right beside stomach, follows along the back of throat and enters pharynx nasalis, belonging to"eyes". The ramification of liver meridian also goes upward to lung, connecting with lung meridian of hand Taiyin.3 A discuss to the application of root and end theory of liver meridian of foot JueyinAccording to the studies, we found that this theory can be used to treat various diseases, such as hemicrania, headache, dizziness, gastric abscess, diarrhea, enuresis, hiccup, prosopoplegia, many eye diseases, and paralytic squint. Needling liver meridian can treat many diseases relating with bladder, such as sterility, lumbago, and various kinds of diseases of external genitals. Acupoint of shanzhong can treat refractory hiccup, chronic bronchitis of child, bronchial asthma, angina, lactation lack of pregnant women, acute mastitis, altitude stress, food accumulation, anepia, and cough, disorder of qi and sprain when treated with other acupoints. Needling acupoint of Dadun can treat phallalgia, stye, profuse uterine bleeding, sequela of apoplexy, incarceration hernia, and stubborn hiccup.4 conclusion and discussionDuring the process of writing the paper, I found there was difference between liver meridian and other meridians, which has two end points, ie. Yuying and Shanzhong. said:"The liver meridian originates from Dadun acupoint, ends with Yunying and shanzhong acupoints."The acupoint of Yuying is Yutang. But I found no related articles on this subject have being written. So there is absence of literature discuss of Dadun and Yutang acupoints.My tutor, Gushiji, pays great attention to the clinical application of root and end theory. I have collected some cases of his treatments adopting this theory and concluded into four characteristics. 1. He often uses root and theory to select acupoints. 2. The acupoint he chose is not a point but an area. 3. He thinks highly of qi and blood circulation in general. 4. He often selects few acupoints and special sucpoints, which are selected by syndrome differenciation.This thesis doing research with root and end theory and four seas theory, believe that above theory is the most important parts of Chinese meridian system. Also doing research with the root and end theory of the liver meridian in order to find out physiological function of Dadun and Yuying, and find out they relation with clinical use in order to inheritance clinical experience from my tutor. |
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