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Understanding Qi Running in the Meridians as Interstitial Fluid Flowing via Interstitial Space of Low Hydraulic Resistance

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Abstract

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 fluid, 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.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. ENNOVA Health Research Institute, Langfang, Hebei, 065001, China

    Wei-bo Zhang, De-xian Jia, Peng-na Zhao & Fei-fei Gu

  2. Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China

    Wei-bo Zhang, Hong-yan Li & Guang-jun Wang

  3. School of Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China

    Yu-long Wei, Huang Yan & Yan-ping Wang

Authors
  1. Wei-bo Zhang
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  2. De-xian Jia
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  3. Hong-yan Li
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  4. Yu-long Wei
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  5. Huang Yan
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  6. Peng-na Zhao
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  7. Fei-fei Gu
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  8. Guang-jun Wang
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  9. Yan-ping Wang
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Correspondence to Yan-ping Wang.

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Zhang, Wb., Jia, Dx., Li, Hy. et al. Understanding Qi Running in the Meridians as Interstitial Fluid Flowing via Interstitial Space of Low Hydraulic Resistance. Chin. J. Integr. Med. 24, 304–307 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11655-017-2791-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11655-017-2791-3

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