1. INTRODUCTION TO Getting to
know the
THE MERIDIANS
Meridians of
Acupuncture
Ashley Flores
Acupuncture, Shiatsu, Herbal Medicine
floreslac@gmail.com
(312) 404-5882

2. THE 5 ELEMENTS
Metal
Water Fire
Wood
Fire Wood Earth
Earth
Water Metal

3. THE 5 ELEMENTS
Each Element  Fire: Heart and Small
represents 2 Intestine
meridians:  Earth: Spleen and
Stomach
 Metal: Lung and
Large Intestine
 Water: Kidney and  Supplemental Fire:
Bladder Pericardium and
Triple Burner
 Wood: Liver and
Gallbladder

4. MAKKO-HO POSES
 Makko-Ho exercises
are a set of poses that
address the 6 meridian
pairs.
 Makko-Ho are useful as
both diagnosis and
treatment.
 These exercises are best
performed regularly –
ideally daily.
 Your body should remain
relaxed – you may feel a
good stretch but should
feel comfortable.
 The breath should be
relaxed and rooted in the
abdomen.

5. METAL
The Lung Channel:
 Covers the front of
the shoulder,
 the front of the arm,
 the primary wrist
pulses,
 And the thumb.

6. METAL
The Large Intestine
Channel:
 Begins at the pointer
finger,
 Covers the side of the
wrist,
 The front of the arm,
 To the tip of the
shoulder,
 And up to the side of
the nose.

7. METAL
 The Metal element is associated with exchange with
environment.
 Lungs interact with the most valuable resource of the outside world
– the air we breathe.
 The Large Intestine works to expel from our bodies that which is no
longer needed.
 Metal energy gives us a feeling of connectivity and exchange with
the universe and other people.
 Metal is hard and strong, yet can be flexible and fluid.
 This allows us to form strong yet flexible belief systems that help
us balance and regulate our lives.
 Metal is conductive.
 Heat, electricity, and signals are easily transmitted through Metal.
 Metal is essential for communication with the environment and
other beings.

8. METAL IMBALANCE
 Emotionally, Metal  Physically, Metal
Imbalance can lead Imbalance can lead
to: to:
 A feeling of insecurity  Problems with the
when interacting with Lungs – difficult
the outside world. breathing, cough, or
 Overly stiff or flexible wheezing.
beliefs.  Nose issues –
 A tendency to hold on stuffiness, sinus
too strongly to things congestion or chronic
which no longer serve infections.
us, and an inability to  Intestinal Problems –
take in new expelling waste too
experiences. slowly or too quickly.
 Poor immunity.

9. THE METAL MAKKO-HO
Stand with feet
shoulder width
apart.
Roll your shoulder
back and link your
thumbs behind your
back. Stretch your
fingers.
Exhale and bend
forward at the hips.

10. THE METAL MAKKO-HO
 Stretch your fingers
towards the cielling.
 Continue to breath
deeply, and focus on
releasing tension as
you exhale.
 To release, bend the
knees slightly and
return to standing.
 Switch direction of
your thumbs and
repeat.

11. EARTH
The Spleen
Channel:
 Starts at the big toe,
 Travels along the
instep to the ankle
bone,
 Covers the inside of
the leg, knee, and
thigh,
 To the sides of the
abdomen.

12. EARTH
 The Stomach
Channel:
 Starts below the eyes,
 Covers the cheeks and
jaw,
 The front of the neck
and collar bone,
 Travels down the chest
and abdomen,
 Along the front of the
thigh, knee, and leg,
 Across the top of the
foot to the middle toe.

13. EARTH
 The Earth is solid, supportive, and stable.
 It is whatever provides a foundation and gives us a feeling of
security in our lives.
 Our Earth element can be a place, a relationship or a person, an
intellectual paradigm, or a physical process, such as eating.
 „Mother Earth‟ nourishes and protects.
 Earth is nourishing, providing sustenance and comfort.
 Allows us to nourish other beings, and accept nourishment
ourselves.
 Earth is fertile and supports growth.
 “The Earth permits sowing, growing, and reaping” of offspring or
ideas.
 Earth supports the growth and development of a baby.
 Ideas can be sown, can grow, and further ideas and conclusions
harvested.

14. EARTH IMBALANCE
 Emotionally, Earth  Physically, Earth
Imbalance can lead Imbalance can lead
to: to:
 A feeling of  Digestive troubles, such
insecurity, without a as heartburn or
solid ground. stomach aches.
 Requiring too much  Problems of appetite –
nourishment from either too much or too
others, or giving too little appetite, or craving
much. sweets.
 Not being able to  Hormonal
accept nourishment imbalance, likes
from others, or not diabetes.
giving enough.  Mouth issues –
 Inability to process stickiness, sores, or

15. EARTH MAKKO-HO
 Kneel on the
floor, allowing your
heels to slide to the
sides of your hips (if
you are able).
 You may sit on a
cushion if you need
more support.
 Place your hands on
the floor behind you
and lean backwards.
 Relax your neck and
let your head fall back.

16. EARTH MAKKO-HO
 Continue to breathe
deeply.
 If you are able,
stretch your body
back further, and
come to your elbows,
grasping your toes.
 If you are very
flexible, you may
lean back even
further, resting your
shoulders on the
floor, and reaching
your arms above your
head.

17. FIRE
The Heart Meridian:
 Starts under the arm,
 Follows the inside
back of the arm to the
wrist,
 Crosses the palm,
 And ends at the tip of
the pinky finger.

18. FIRE
 The Small Intestine
Meridian:
 Begins at the tip of the
pinky finger,
 Follows the outside
edge of the hand and
wrist,
 Continues up the back
of the arm to the back
of the shoulder,
 Covers the shoulder
blade,
 Crosses the neck and
ends at the cheekbone.

19. FIRE
 Fire has an incredible ability to transform.
 Fire can turn wood to ash, dough to bread, clay to porcelain.
 It has long been a symbol of transformation and rebirth.
 Fire can transform human consciousness, spirit, and emotion.
 Fire provides warmth and comfort.
 We use fire to cook, as a gathering place, and to stay warm and
comfortable.
 A fiercely burning fire is exciting and dangerous.
 Strong fire is associated with passion and excitement.
 When allowed to burn out of control, fire and passion can lead to
riot and rebellion.

20. FIRE IMBALANCE
 Emotionally, a Fire  Physically, a Fire
Imbalance can lead Imbalance can lead
to: to:
 Dullness of the spirit or  Problems with the mind
emotions. – poor memory, or
 Inability to change. psychological illness.
 A „coldness‟ of  Chest or heart problems
personality. – tightness, pain, or
 Lack of passion or palpitations.
emotion, or overly „fiery‟  Trouble speaking.
personality.  Sleep issues – trouble
falling or staying
asleep, or sleeping too
much.

21. FIRE MAKKO-HO
 Sit with the soles of
your feet touching
and your knees
relaxed outward.
 Grasp your toes.
 Exhale and lean
forward.
 Relax your
head, neck, back, an
d knees, letting them
stretch toward the
floor.

22. FIRE MAKKO-HO
Take several deep
breaths, allowing
your body to further
relax on each
exhale.
Return to center.

23. WATER
 The Kidney Meridian:
 Begins at the ball of the
foot,
 Travels over the arch of
the foot,
 Circles around the
inside ankle bone,
 Follows the inside of
the leg and covers the
low back,
 Then travels up the
abdomen and chest just
off the midline,
 And ends at the collar
bone.

24. WATER
 The Bladder
Meridian:
 Starts at the inside
corner of the eye,
 Travels over the top of
the head to the back of
the neck,
 Continues down the
back to the sacrum,
 Follows the back of the
legs,
 And across the outside
of the ankle and foot to
the little toe.

25. WATER
 Water is the essential basis of our physical substance.
 Without water, our physical bodies cannot survive.
 Water will always sink to the deepest level.
 Water can seep through tiny cracks and crevices to find the
deepest point.
 The Water element is associated with the deepest „structures‟ in
our body – our bones, the nervous system, and our genetic code.
 Water is also associated with our memories deepest in the
past, and our deepest fears.
 Water flows and cleanses.
 The Water element has a purifying effect on the body and mind.
 The flow of water can be very soft, yet can also be very
powerful, over time wearing away at even stone.

26. WATER IMBALANCE
 Emotionally, Water  Physically, Water
Imbalance can lead Imbalance can lead
to: to:
 Feelings of fear and  Feelings of „gunginess‟
being easily frightened. like you‟re weighed
 Forgetting the past or down.
being overly conscious  Nervous system
of the past. problems –
 Lacking in willpower. confusion, forgetting, an
xiety, nervousness –
nervous system „on
high‟.
 Kidney and Bladder
issues – pain or

27. WATER MAKKO-HO
 Sit with your legs in
front of you, and your
toes relaxed
outwards.
 Breathe in, stretch
yours arms above
your head with palms
facing out.
 As you exhale, lean
forward at the hips
and stretch your
arms in front of you.

28. WATER MAKKO-HO
 Reach as far forward
as is
comfortable, keeping
palms facing out, and
take several deep
breaths.
 If you can reach past
your toes, you may
grasp your foot at
Kidney 1 point, below
the ball of the foot.
 After several
breaths, return to
center.

29. SUPPLEMENTAL FIRE
The Pericardium
Meridian:
 Begins in the chest,
 Travels along the
inside of the arm to
the wrist,
 Crosses the center of
the palm,
 And ends at the tip of
the middle finger.

30. SUPPLEMENTAL FIRE
 The Triple Warmer
Meridian:
 Starts at the tip of the
ring finger,
 Crosses the back of the
hand,
 Follows the outside of
the arm and the tip of
the elbow,
 Travels to the top back
of the shoulder,
 Covers the side of the
neck,
 And wraps around the
back of the ear.

31. SUPPLEMENTAL FIRE
 Supplemental Fire is mirrors the functions of the Fire
element.
 The Pericardium is also called „Heart Protector ‟ as it
protects the most precious organ, the Heart.
 Imbalance of Supplemental Fire can lead to:
 Many of the same issues as fire.
 Problems with circulation – numbness, tingling, or coldness of the
hands and feet.
 Problems with Qi – can be pain, cramping, or tiredness.
 Feelings of excessive vulnerability – feeling physically or
emotionally weak and susceptible to outside damage.

32. SUPPLEMENTAL FIRE MAKKO-HO
Sit cross-legged
with a straight back,
and the right leg in
front.
Cross your arms,
also with your right
arm in front.
Exhale and bend
forward toward the
floor.

33. SUPPLEMENTAL FIRE MAKKO-HO
Allow your hips to
relax and open.
To increase the
stretch, you can
„walk‟ your hands
further apart.
After several
breaths, return to
center, and repeat
with the left leg and
arm in front.

34. WOOD
The Liver Meridian
 Begins on the big toe,
 Follows the top of the
foot to the inside of
the ankle,
 Continues along the
inside of the
leg, knee, and thigh to
the pubic bone,
 And ends at the
bottom of the ribs.

35. WOOD
 The Gallbladder
Channel
 Starts at the outside
corner of the eye,
 Circles the ears and
sides of the head,
 Covers the sides of the
neck and shoulder,
 Descends along the
sides of the
chest, abdomen, thigh,
knee and leg.
 Follows the outside top
of the foot to the „ring‟
toe.

36. WOOD
 Wood, and plant life in general, has an irrepressible urge to
grow.
 It grows upwards and outwards, eeking out a place to thrive, even
in the harshest climates.
 Wood can be aggressive, though generally out of competitive spirit,
not spite.
 Plants, and the Wood element, are highly adaptable.
 There is enormous variety of plant life, allowing each to find its
niche and thrive in its own way.
 Wood follows a high degree of internal organization. The rings of a
tree, or the branching of a shrub all follow this internal structure.
 Wood allows to find organization and prioritize within ourselves. It
also allows us to cooperate and be productive with others.
 Wood is always moving, reaching ever upward and outward.

37. WOOD IMBALANCE
Emotionally, a Physically, a Wood
Wood Imbalance Imbalance can lead
can lead to: to:
 Lack of desire to get  Feelings of
out and interact with „stuckness‟ – a lump
the world. in the throat, or
 Being overly something stuck in
aggressive or easily the chest.
angered.  Poor growth or slow
 Inability to adapt to healing.
the environment.  Problems with the
 Lack of direction. eyes – poor vision or
discomfort.

38. WOOD MAKKO-HO
 Sit on the floor with
legs apart.
 Stretch your arms
above your
head, lacing your
fingers together with
palms facing
upwards.
 Pivot at the waist to
face your right
foot, and lean your
body towards your
left foot.

39. WOOD MAKKO-HO
After several
breaths, return to
center and repeat
on the opposite
side.
Return to center
once again, then
bend forward from
the hips, reaching
your palms in front
of you.