• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.135-144
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• 2009

Objective : The Meridian sinew is one of the meridian subsystems, which includes muscles distributed on the twelve meridian. This study was performed to understand which muscle is falling under 'Foot lesser yin meridian sinew'. Methods : We have studied the literatures on meridian sinew theory and searched muscles which correspond to 'Foot lesser yin meridian sinew' in anatomical muscular system. And we researched myofascial pain syndrome about the symptoms of the muscles falling under 'Foot lesser yin meridian sinew'. Lastly we compared 'Foot lesser yin meridian sinew' with 'Deep Frontal Line' - one of the anatomical trains. Results & Conclusion : 1. It is considered that 'Foot lesser yin meridian sinew' includes flexor digitorum brevis muscle, abductor hallucis muscle, medial head of gastrocnemius muscle, flexor digitorum longus muscle, adductor muscle, iliopsoas muscle, erctor spinae muscle. 2. The symptoms of 'Foot lesser yin meridian sinew' are similar to the myofascial pain syndrome with referred pain of the muscles falling under 'Foot lesser yin meridian sinew'. 3. 'Deep frontal line' is similar to 'Foot lesser yin meridian sinew', but not exactly in neck & pelvic muscles.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.1-10
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• 2003

Objective : It is limited to verify existence and a part of characteristic of MS(Meridian system) in modern MS hypothesis. Because it is that an object of scientific approach is to prove a structure of MS. Then according to DMMS, we will research on a subject of MSs rules. This is a paper on the investigation of DMMS in aspects of propriety and supplement. Results : DMMS is composed of organizational anatomy system, MS, signal system. This means that the contents of classic MS theory divide into three dimensions. It includes classic MS theory and explains modern MS hypothesis with DMMS. But is has two problems that one is the difference between the right side and the left in the same meridian and the other is a lack of dynamic idea(動態觀念). After apply this ti analysis system, it will be reasonable to DMMS. It indicates to use various ways of a science, especially, mathematics, system theory, information theory, control theory to supplement the DMMS. Conclusions : Although the scientific study of MS is stagnant, the approach of this DMMS will provide us with a new result of MS.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.17-29
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• 2008

Objectives : This study was carried out to investigate the correlation of meridian system in oriental medicine and muscular system in western medicine. Methods : Muscles were assigned to meridians by their main functions and the acupoints on them. New mutual relationships between meridians in lower limb were studied based on the muscular function. Results : In gluteal & femoral region, iliopsoas & quadratus femoris are assigned to spleen & stomach meridians, gluteus maximus & hamstrings to urinary bladder & kidney meridians, adductor muscle groups to liver meridian, gluteus medius & minimus & iliotibial tract to gall bladder meridian. In crural region, anterior crural muscles are assigned to stomach meridian, lateral crural muscles to gall bladder meridian, suferficial posterior crural muscles to urinary bladder (& kidney) meridian, deep posterior crural muscles to liver, spleen, kidney meridians. In lower limb, urinary bladder meridian and stomach meridian lead the muscular functions and correspond to each other, while spleen meridian assists stomach meridian, and kidney meridian assists urinary bladder meridian. Conclusions : Muscles may be assigned to meridians by their functions and the acupoints on them. From the view of muscular function, Yang meridians lead Yin meridians in lower limb.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.1-25
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• 2009

Objectives : Medical qigong, originated from Mawangdui Daoyintu (馬王堆 導引圖), mainly consists of meditation, physical movements, and breathing exercises. It has been widely used to cure a variety of diseases as a regimen in Oriental medicine. This study was aimed to analyze the characteristics of medical qigong movements in the Mawangdui Daoyintu and to observe a link between each medical qigong movement and meridian system. Methods : We extracted fourteen medical qigong movements from forty-four figures in Mawangdui Daoyintu. We compared the 14 medical qigong movements of the Mawangdui Daoyintu with other types' movements of medical qigong methods. We also analyzed each movement of medical qigong in Mawangdui Daoyintu with a perspective of meridian system. Results : We found that there were common features between the medical qigong movements of the Mawangdui Daoyintu and other types' movements of medical qigong methods, including Yukjagyeol (六字訣), Paldangum (八段錦), Yukgengyeng (易筋經) and so on. From the comparison of each movement and meridian qi flow, we also found several movements related with Liver meridian and one movement related with several meridians. Conclusions : Our findings would be beneficial to understand the movements of medical qigong in the Mawangdui Daoyintu from the perspective of meridian system. This would be useful to develop a new medical qigong movements applying the meridian qi system for health and healing.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.3 s.67
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• pp.132-144
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• 2006

Objectives: In order to improve our understanding of the meridian, it is necessary to analyze how meridian theory formed. In this regard, the primitive form of meridians requires further study. Methods: Data from the pre-Han and Han dynasties were used, as such data document primitive forms of the meridian. Results: 1. Some of the terminology of the primitive meridians did not include symmetrical terms such as hand, foot, yin and yang; instead, terms of travel area were used. 2. In the primitive meridians, most travel from the bottom to the top. 3. The twelve meridian system had not yet been introduced into the primitive system. 4. In the primitive meridians, only a few had branches. 5. In the primitive meridians, they did not have obvious connections with the five vital organs and the six viscera. Conclusions: Although the primitive meridian system differs from the modem, studying the primitive meridians may improve our understanding of the modem meridians.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.1-9
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• 2011

Objectives: This study was carried out to observe the foot gworeum meridian muscle from a viewpoint of human anatomy on the assumption that the meridian muscle system is basically matched to the meridian vessel system as a part of the meridian system, and further to support the accurate application of acupuncture in clinical practice. Methods: Meridian points corresponding to the foot gworeum meridian muscle at the body surface were labeled with latex, being based on Korean standard acupuncture point locations. In order to expose components related to the foot gworeum meridian muscle, the cadaver was then dissected, being respectively divided into superficial, middle, and deep layers while entering more deeply. Results: Anatomical components related to the foot gworeum meridian muscle in human are composed of muscles, fascia, ligament, nerves, etc. The anatomical components of the foot gworeum meridian muscle in cadaver are as follows: 1. Muscle: Dorsal pedis fascia, crural fascia, flexor digitorum (digit.) longus muscle (m.), soleus m., sartorius m., adductor longus m., and external abdominal oblique m. aponeurosis at the superficial layer, dorsal interosseous m. tendon (tend.), extensor (ext.) hallucis brevis m. tend., ext. hallucis longus m. tend., tibialis anterior m. tend., flexor digit. longus m., and internal abdominal oblique m. at the middle layer, and finally posterior tibialis m., gracilis m. tend., semitendinosus m. tend., semimembranosus m. tend., gastrocnemius m., adductor magnus m. tend., vastus medialis m., adductor brevis m., and intercostal m. at the deep layer. 2. Nerve: Dorsal digital branch (br.) of the deep peroneal nerve (n.), dorsal br. of the proper plantar digital n., medial br. of the deep peroneal n., saphenous n., infrapatellar br. of the saphenous n., cutaneous (cut.) br. of the obturator n., femoral br. of the genitofemoral n., anterior (ant.) cut. br. of the femoral n., ant. cut. br. of the iliohypogastric n., lateral cut. br. of the intercostal n. (T11), and lateral cut. br. of the intercostal n. (T6) at the superficial layer, saphenous n., ant. division of the obturator n., post. division of the obturator n., obturator n., ant. cut. br. of the intercostal n. (T11), and ant. cut. br. of the intercostal n. (T6) at the middle layer, and finally tibialis n. and articular br. of tibial n. at the deep layer. Conclusion: The meridian muscle system seemed to be closely matched to the meridian vessel system as a part of the meridian system. This study shows comparative differences from established studies on anatomical components related to the foot gworeum meridian muscle, and also from the methodical aspect of the analytic process. In addition, the human foot gworeum meridian muscle is composed of the proper muscles, and also may include the relevant nerves, but it is as questionable as ever, and we can guess that there are somewhat conceptual differences between terms (that is, nerves which control muscles in the foot gworeum meridian muscle and those which pass nearby) in human anatomy.

• Korean Journal of Oriental Medicine
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.69-80
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• 2000

Objectives : Assuming that the characteristic of meridian system has been similar to this of electric potentials in human body and that measurements of electric potential at well(井穴) and sea(合穴) points in branches of the twelves meridians will be representative of measurements of the twelve meridians, to measure the electric potentials in twenty healthy volunteers when they were sleeping or waking respectively, to do significance test for electric potential of meridian system between hand and foot meridian, yin and yang meridian, exterior and interior of the body, and among the five elements. Methods : When twenty healthy volunteers were sleeping, their electric potentials of well and sea points in branches of the twelve meridians were simultaneously measured by physiograph. After a minute we measured them again, totally 5 times. And then when they were waking, their electric potentials were measured 5 times by the above method. Results : Measurements were analyzed by statistical t-test, we obtained that the left side electric potential of hand or yin meridian was significantly different from that of foot or yang meridian both sleeping and waking. The right side of electric potential was the same result as the left side's. Most of the t-test was significant between exterior and interior of the body, and among the five elements. That meaned that it was partly possible to apply the ancient theory of meridians to the study of electric potential at well and sea points in branches of the twelves meridians.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.55-67
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• 2007

Objectives : The repeatability and reproducibility of MIR-2, a newly developed impedance measurement device (four electrode method) on skin are of the meridian system, is evaluated and a method to improve the reliability is discussed. Methods : Multiple gage R&R studies were conducted for the impedance measurements over bilateral KI3 acupoint in ten participants by three assessors using MIR-2 device. Gage R&R studies were repeated after controlling the acupoint locating method or one value correction by replacing one assessor's outlying value with an average of the other assessors' values to explore any feasibility of improvement of measurement reliability. Results : Controlling acupoint locating method and replacing one value with an average of other assessors' value led to improved variation metrics in a gage R&R study. Conclusions : Measurement reliability can be improved by controlling measurement procedures or by using repeated measurement method, which will facilitate development of clinically applicable measurement device with reliability.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.371-384
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• 2012

Objectives : The meridian system is a systematic complex of empirical knowledge, which functions as a basis of acupuncture treatment. In this article, we reviewed the visualization methods of meridian and acupuncture points through the investigation of the characteristics of Diagram of Meridians, Mingtang Diagram, Diagram of Meridians and Collaterals, Bronze Statues and Diagram of Bronze Statue. Methods : We investigated the characteristics of Diagram of Meridians, Mingtang Diagram, Diagram of Meridians and Collaterals, and Bronze Statues. We reviewed the visualization methods of meridian and acupuncture points in those classical Diagrams and analyzed their relationships among them. Results : In order to explain the meridian and acupuncture points easily, ancient people usually used drawings which are named Mingtang Diagram, Diagram of Meridians and Collaterals, by their own characteristics. Owing to their limitations of drawings on the 2 dimensional plane, Chinese people designed the Bronze Statue for Acu-moxibustion and its first invention was invented in Tiansheng age of Song dynasty. For several decades and centuries, these models and drawings were inherited, also reflecting variations of meridian system. As the Bronze Statue has a deficiency in the educational use because of its limitations of mass production, Diagram of Bronze Statue drawn on the 2 dimensional plane was invented. At the beginning of Mingtang Diagram, Diagram of Meridians and Collaterals, Diagram of Bronze Statue and Bronze Statue, their own characteristics were significantly differed with other diagrams and statues. We found that both diagrams and statues were gradually combined with description of the relationship between internal organs and the skeletal structure and the meridian system. Conclusions : Our findings suggest that Diagram of Meridians, Mingtang Diagram, Diagram of Meridians and Collaterals, and Bronze Statues are the basic form of data visualization, one of the infographics. We suggest that ancient Chinese people intend to explain the empirical knowledge using the ancient infographics of meridian system, but have limitations on reflecting theorical or abstractional meaning.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.21-30
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• 2004

Objectives : Assuming that the characteristic of meridian system has been similar to this of electric potentials in human body and that measurements of electric potential at well(井穴) and sea(合穴) points in branches of the twelve meridians(WSBTM) will be representative of measurements of the twelve meridians, to measure the electric potentials of 13 patients with Arthroncus of Knee(슬안풍<膝眼風>, AK), to find out the characteristic of meridian system in patients with AK. Methods : Electric potentials of well and sea points in the meridians in twenty one patients with the pain in the lion diagnosed as AK were repeatedly measured by physiograph(PowerLab). Measurements of those electric potentials were analyzed by factor analysis. Results : Their electric potentials at the left and right side were factors which are different from each side. In the left side, Factor 1 included Small Intestine, Pericardium, Spleen, Kidney meridian, and Factor 2 included Heart, Tripple Energizer, Bladder, Liver meridian. Factor 3 included Large Intestine, Stomach, Gall bladder meridian, and Factor 4 included Lung meridian. In the right side, Factor 1 included Heart, Pericardium, Tripple Energizer, Spleen, Bladder meridian and Factor 2 included Lung, Liver, Gall bladder meridian. Factor 3 included Small Intestine, Stomach, Kidney meridian and Factor 4 included Large Intestine Meridian. Conclusions : The electric potentials of AK differ from those of normal bodies as well as of bodies with other diseases-shoulder lesions, waist lesions, Lumbago due to Strain and Contusion-. Thus electric potentials of well and sea points might be the representative meridian to show their characteristics.