Weekly RoundsPresentation prepared by

Carlos AlvarezSupervised by Dr. Fayi Wu

Acupuncture and Massage CollegeJune 22, 2013

Heart meridian (hand shao Yin)

Pathway

古 代 和 準 確 的 醫 學 治 療Ancient and precise Medical Treatments

The heart is called the 'King' of the organs. The Internal Medicine Classic states:

“The heart commands all of the organs and viscera, houses the spirit, and controls the emotions”

In Chinese, the word for “heart” (xin)

is also used to denote “mind”.

When the heart is strong and steady, it controls the emotions; when it is weak and wavering, the emotions rebel and prey upon the heart mind,

which then loses its command over the body.

The concept in TCM

Physiologically, the heart controls the circulation and distribution of blood, and therefore all the other

organs depend upon it for sustenance.

Thoughts and emotions influence the function of various organs via

pulse and blood pressure, are controlled by the heart, where then

emotions arise.

Internally, the heart is functionally associated with the thymus gland, which is located in the same cavity and forms a

mainstay of the immune system.

Extreme emotions such as grief and anger have an immediate suppressive effect on the immune system by inhibiting thymus

function, a phenomenon that has long been observed but little understood in

Western medicine.

Externally, the heart is related to the tongue, to which it is connected by the

heart muscle. The color and texture of the tongue

thus reflect the condition of the heart. Speech impediments such as stuttering

and mutism are often caused by dysfunction or imbalance in heart

energy. Facial complexion, which is a direct

reflection of blood circulation, is also a major external indicator of heart

function. Fire energy makes the heart the

dominant organ of summer, during which season the heart must increase circulation to the surface in order to

dissipate excess body heat

Passage without points

The meridian originates from its pertaining organ the heart passes through the diaphragm connects with the small intestine. The branch

from the heart runs alongside the esophagus reaches the face to connect with the eye

Passage with points

The branch from the heart goes upward to the lung turns

downward and emerges from the axilla (HT 1).

From there goes along the posterior border of the medial aspect of the arm down to the

cubital fossa continues to descend along the posterior

border of the medial aspect of the forearm to the pisiform

region enters the palm follows the radial side of the little finger

ends at its tip (HT 9). There it links with the small

intestine meridian.

The Heart primary channel

Pathway The hand lesser Yin (Shaoyin) heart meridian starts in

the heart, emerging through the blood vessels surrounding this organ. Traveling downward, it passes through the diaphragm to net the small

intestine.

Another branch separates from the heart, traveling upward along the side of the esophagus to meet the

tissues surrounding the eye.

A further meridian separates from the heart, travels directly up into the lung, and then veers downwards

to emerge below the axilla. It travels down the medial aspect of the upper arm, medial to the hand

greater Yin (Taiyin) lung and hand reverting Yin (Jueyin) pericardium meridians, and passes over the

antecubital fossa.

It continues down the anteromedial margin of the forearm to the capital bone on the wrist, travelling along the radial side of the fifth metacarpal bone to

terminate at the tip of the little finger

This is the Heart pathway

HEART - FIREWhere does the heart channel start? At the heart organ

Where do the 3 branches of the heart Channel go? 1. To Small Intestine

2. Alongside the esophagus, to tissues surrounding the eye (canthus’)

3. To heart system, entering the Lung, travelling down the medio-posterior aspect of the upper arm.

What 3 organs are included along the Heart Channel? 1. Heart 2. Lung 3. Small Intestine

What is the Luo Connecting point of the heart and where does it go from there?

Heart 5

The Heart luo-connecting channel

There are two branches: 1) Along heart channel => root of tongue => eye

2) To SI channel

  

The Heart divergent channel

What are the two disorders found in the Luo Connecting Channel of the heart?

1) Excess – Qi or blood stagnation, expressed as fullness or pain in the chest area

Men in FIRE

2) Speech difficulties like post-stroke patients.

Brain affected areaDeficiency

Questions?

Thank you