By: Heather Gamin, LMT, HoolaFit Instructor

If chakras are the energy centers of the body, then meridians are the power lines.  The meridians lay just under the surface of the skin and move chi throughout the body.  Chi is the life force energy. Chi must be present for vital life to exist. On a physical level when chi flows freely throughout the body along our meridian pathways, we receive a positive effect on our mental and physical health.  However, sometimes the chi can become blocked, and this has a negative effect on our physical and mental health.   Blocks in chi can be physical, mental or emotional. Some signs of blocked chi are headaches, nausea, dizziness, and the general sense that something is not right.  Our meridians can become blocked when: you are experiencing an excess amount of stress,  your nutrition is lacking in healthy foods, or if you are having negative thoughts and emotions.  

Each person has 12 major meridians within their body.  These pathways work as a pair with one carrying chi that is related to yang (masculine) energy and the other caring chi that is considered yin (feminine energy). Each meridian is linked to an organ in the body.  The pair of meridians are as follows: stomach and spleen, heart and small intestine, bladder and kidney, circulation/sex and triple warmer, gallbladder and liver, lung and large Intestine. In the human meridian system there are nearly 500 acupoints. These points can be accessed through acupressure, shiatsu, and acupuncture. The therapist uses their fingers or tiny needles to release blocked chi within the meridian and to draw chi more abundantly into the meridian.  

The ten of these acupoints are considered the golden acupoints.  These points are considered the most important, as they are used in preventing and treating illnesses and imbalances of all kinds.  

Stomach 36 – This acupoint restores digestive energy in the stomach and spleen. Removing blocks by stimulating stomach 36 you may get relief from gas, bloating, nausea, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.

Large Intestine 11 -This acupoint stimulates immunity, and can help relieve hot flashes ,or fever.

Large Intestine 4 - This acupoint is great when seeking relief from headaches and pain in the shoulder or arm.  Also, this acupoint can be stimulated to help with sinus congestion, colds, sneezing and runny noses.

Bladder 40 - This acupoint is stimulated when trying to get relief from back pain, muscle spasms, knee stiffness, and leg pain.  The bladder 40 point can be stimulated when a person is experiencing heat exhaustion and heat stock to help aid the reduction of temperature.

Liver  3 - This acupoint can be stimulated to release pent-up energy that is related to irritability, aggression, anxiety, depression, and tension headaches. The liver 3  nourishes tendons and ligaments. 

Gallbladder 34 - This acupoint can be stimulated to help with insomnia, migraines, and anxiety. The stimulation of gallbladder 34 may help in reducing gallstones.  When stimulating the gallbladder 34 you may mind relief from cramping, spasms, sciatica and other issues with the low back such as hip, knee and leg pain. 

Lung 7- This acupoint can aid in relief from asthma and lack of breath when stimulated.  This is also a good acupoint to stimulate when you are having issues with body aches, sore throat.  This acupoint is related to the head so it is also a good acupoint to be stimulated when a person has Bell’s Palsy.

Heart 7 - This acupoint is related to mind stimulation. This point brings calmness to the mind and invites the body to relax when over active, it can relieve anxiety, and insomnia when insomnia is due to over excitement. Stimulating this acupoint can reduce heart palpitation.

Spleen 6 - This acupoint is important to gynecological, sexual, urinary, and digestive issues.  spleen 6 is also important for eliminating emotional imbalances.  Stimulating this point can reduce insomnia, headaches, and menstrual cramps.  The spleen 6 is to be avoided during pregnancy.

Kidney 1 - The kidney 1 acupoint can be stimulated to help ground and can also help to sooth someone who is highly anxious. Another reason to stimulate this point is to help with headaches and hypertension.

These ten golden acupoints make up just 2% of the total number of acupoints within the body.  If there is that much potential for restoring health or keeping the body in good health in that very small percentage of acupoints, the meridians are truly magical!