The Chinese characters 经络（Jing Luo) literally mean meridians and collaterals. In the book Entrance into Medicine compiled in the Ming Dynasty it says “Jing are the longitudinal paths, Luo, the branch roads.” Jing (meridians) run longitudinally and interiorly connect the internal organs, communicating between the upper and lower parts of the human body, they are the major part of the meridian system. Luo, (collaterals) are a network of fine branches running transversely from the meridians and extending all over the body. Meridians and collaterals link with the Zang-fu (solid) organs in the interior, and connect with the extremities, by which means the organs and tissues of the human body are made into an organic entity, through which qi and blood are circulated, Yin and Yang are regulated, metabolism controlled allowing the functional activities of various parts of the body to be coordinated and relatively balanced.
Traditional Chinese Medicine in modern times has conducted new studies on meridians and collaterals. It is believed that meridians and collaterals are a multi-layer, multi-morphological, multi-functional, three-dimensional informational and regulative system. This system is the general pivot point and control system for all human health. All physiological activities are under the regulation and control of this system. Once the regulation becomes abnormal, it gives rise to diseases. Healing of disease is the result of the regulation performed by the meridian system. Thus, meridians and collaterals are of great importance in the physiology, pathology, pharmacology, diagnosis and therapeutics of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
The underlying principle of 423 Meridian Qi Gong is the inclusion of the meridians in a traditional medical Qi Gong therapy. And it is this, that makes this system of health care and disease prevention so effective.
