Understanding qi running in the meridians as interstitial fluid flowing via interstitial space of low hydraulic resistance.


Author: Zhang WB1,2, Jia DX1, Li HY2, Wei YL3, Yan H3, Zhao PN1, Gu FF1, Wang GJ2, Wang YP4

Affiliation: <sup>1</sup>ENNOVA Health Research Institute, Langfang, Hebei, 065001, China.

<sup>2</sup>Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China.

<sup>3</sup>School of Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China.

<sup>4</sup>School of Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China. dryanping@yahoo.com.
Conference/Journal: Chin J Integr Med.
Date published: 2018 Jan 9
Other:
  Special Notes: doi: 10.1007/s11655-017-2791-3. [Epub ahead of print]   ,  Word Count: 145  
    Qi, blood and the meridians are fundamental concepts in Chinese medicine (CM), which are components of the human body and maintain physiological function. Pathological changes of qi, blood and meridians may lead to discomfort and disease. Treatment with acupuncture or herbal medicine aims to regulate qi and blood so as to recover normal function of the meridians. This paper explores the nature of qi as well as compares and correlates them with the structures of the human body. We propose a conceptualization of qi as being similar to the interstitial flfl uid, and the meridians as being similar to interstitial space of low hydraulic resistance in the body. Hence, qi running in the meridians can be understood as interstitial fluid flowing via interstitial space of low hydraulic resistance.



KEYWORDS: interstitial flfl uid; interstitial space; low hydraulic resistance; meridian; qi



PMID: 29327122  DOI: 10.1007/s11655-017-2791-3