For over 8000 years, acupuncture and Chinese medicine have been applied to support the healing of diseases and physiologic malfunctions. Chinese acupuncture is based on a system of meridians. Anatomically, acupoints have abundant nerves, muscles, vessels, and tendon but no other visible anatomical structures. Acupuncture meridians traditionally are believed to channels connecting the surface of the body to internal organs.
Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine recently published a paper showing that researchers have for the first time clearly observed continuous fluorescent lines migrating along with the body’s meridian points, work that provides corroboration for the existence of meridians in Chinese medicine. Scientists from the Chinese Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Harvard Medical School were involved in the collaboration.
The team’s experiment obtained clear fluorescent dyes images of pericardial meridian over 20cm long in the arm. Dr Tang Qing said this is the first time researchers have used a new tracing method to obtain meridian trajectories in humans since radioisotope tracing was used in the 1980s. This time, the meridian imaging is more stable, and the pathway of multiple points along a meridian is more precise and more reproducible.
Pericardium meridian from The Great Compendium of Acupuncture and Moxibustion
Specifically, Tang Qing said that the team initially used sodium fluorescein, which was then photographed over several hours using laser excitation to capture the fluorescein’s migration pathways in the body.
In this study, injection of fluorescein sodium into acupuncture points PC5, PC6, and PC7 was associated with slow diffusion of the dye proximally along a path aligning closely with the pericardium meridian.
The study reinforces the past studies that identified slow-migrating pathways of meridians that travelled at approximately 2.5 cm/min over 11 cm. Direct injections of the dyes into blood vessels led to a much more instantaneous appearance in 10 seconds, while [99mTc] rhenium sulfate—which has a predilection for lymphatics—was detected in axillary lymph nodes after 90 minutes in both acupuncture points and control groups, without a clear pathway.
By comparing ultrasound imaging and infrared imaging, the possibility of the fluorescent line flowing along a blood vessel was ruled out. The researchers also designed an experiment with injections of sodium fluorescein for acupuncture points and indocyanine green, a contrast agent used primarily for lymphography. The results showed that the two trajectories did not overlap, so the possibility of a lymphatic vessel could be ruled out.
The authors concluded that veins or lymphatic vessels could not have been responsible for these trajectories.
Injection of dyes at non-acupuncture points produced only local isotropic diffusion without migration into a meridian pathway.
Tongju Li, Bruce Qing Tang, Wei-Bo Zhang, Minyi Zhao, Qingchuan Hu, Andrew Ahn, “In Vivo Visualization of the Pericardium Meridian with Fluorescent Dyes
Phoebus Ye Tian is a highly skilled and experienced practitioner of both modern medical acupuncture and traditional acupuncture, as well as classic Chinese medicine herbalism. He graduated from the Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine and spent two years working in a hospital orthopaedics unit. His passion for sharing knowledge led him to join an international exchange programme to teach in the UK, where he was offered a teaching position at the London South Bank University. Here, he supervised and instructed students from diverse backgrounds and cultures, gave lectures, and attended seminars at various European universities.
Phoebus is a distinguished practitioner in acupuncture and Chinese medicine, with a unique approach that blends classical and modern techniques. His expertise spans a wide range of acupuncture styles, each contributing to a holistic, patient-focused approach to health and wellness.
Phoebus’s foundational training is in classical acupuncture, drawing from the ancient wisdom of Neijing and Nanjing. This traditional base is complemented by his proficiency in several specialized acupuncture styles. He is skilled in Master Tung’s acupuncture, a renowned system known for its unique set of points and its efficiency. Balance acupuncture, another of his specialities focuses on harmonizing the body’s energies to promote healing.
Phoebus also practices Acu-spirit acupuncture, which integrates spiritual aspects into treatment, and astrology acupuncture, which considers celestial influences on health. His repertoire also includes Toyohari Japanese acupuncture, a non-invasive style that emphasizes gentle touch and the body’s sensory responses, and Saam Korean acupuncture, a method that utilizes minimal points for maximum effect.
In addition to these traditional techniques, Phoebus incorporates modern anatomical theories into his practice. This fusion of ancient wisdom and contemporary science allows him to provide exceptionally gentle, precise treatments tailored to each individual’s needs.
Phoebus’s patient-focused a pproach enables him to work closely with each individual to address the underlying causes of health issues and promote optimal wellness. His areas of special interest include stress management, male and female infertility and IVF assistance, rheumatoid arthritis, anti-ageing, and pain conditions. His diverse expertise and commitment to personalized care make him a sought-after practitioner.Official website address:https://www.phoebustian.com/
